Pharmacist-Informatics

Job Description

Job Objective:

Applies specialized knowledge and skills in the purchasing, storing, prescribing, assessing, preparing, dispensing and monitoring of pharmaceutical agents and investigational drugs for used in the treatment of acute care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary healthcare team for the purpose of optimizing healthcare outcomes. Assists in the development and maintenance of all pharmacy information systems applications and/or activities for the Inpatient Pharmacy and supports the organization's preparedness for regulatory and quality measures.

Job Description:

Education:

Required: Pharmacy degree from an accredited School of Pharmacy  

Licensure/Certification:

Required: California Board of Pharmacy License
\n Preferred: ASHP and/or CSHP membership

Experience:

Preferred: Certification, residency, fellowship, or equivalent experience in Pharmacy Informatics

Essential Responsibilities:

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• Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
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• Reviews and interprets prescription orders for patients carefully checking dosages, allergies, interactions, therapeutic duplication, and appropriateness.
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• Contacts and confers with medical and nursing staff members concerning problems with drug therapy, drug selection, and/or drug availability.
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• Applies specialized knowledge of the physiological and pathological variables important for the delivery of drug therapy in neonates, infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
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• Applies knowledge of the principles of growth and development so as to be able to assess and interpret data in order to identify each patients age specific needs.
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• Prepares, dispenses, and maintains patient profiles on all medications according to departmental procedures.
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• Reviews and corrects work done by ancillary personnel, including computerized order entry, IV admixture preparation, controlled substance and floor stock distribution, etc.
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• Acts on behalf of the patient to assure the most cost effective medication is used or in the proper dosage to increase the probability of desirable outcome.
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• Documents interactions with customers (nurses, physicians, patients, etc.) to allow pharmacy management to demonstrate benefits and identify problems associated with the provision of pharmaceutical care.
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• Provides drug information and patient education to patients, RN’s, MD’s, and other health care professionals.
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• Conforms to all policies and procedures associated with formulary management, clinical interventional monitoring services and outcome monitoring services.
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• Reviews patient’s own medication usage in the hospital per policy.
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• Consistently resolves all problems and completes assigned work assignments during shift without interference to the quality of work performed.
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• Consistently contributes to the maintenance of an adequate, properly dated inventory which is mandatory to proper pharmacy operation.
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• Organizes work and establish priorities in order to meet deadlines and daily responsibilities.
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• Respects and maintains confidentiality of patient records and departmental business concerns.
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• Assists with development of departmental computer applications, which assist with productivity enhancement.
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• Responds to concerns from nursing staff and administration related to pharmacy information systems.
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• Assists Information Systems Department in implementation of technology for pharmaceutical care for inpatient services.
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• Provides ongoing instruction and training in all clinical endeavors, protocols, etc., to all pharmacists, residents, and pharmacy staff; assists in training of inpatient pharmacy staff on new information systems technologies and applications.
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• Solicits input from inpatient pharmacy staff with regards to functionality and ongoing improvement of pharmacy information systems.
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• Supports and maintains automation with respect to information systems and processes, including interfaces, billing functions, integration with other departments.
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• Assists in planning and evaluating new software applications and hardware to improve pharmacy services.  
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• Manages existing procedures and protocols or implements newly designed procedures and protocols. 
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• Participates or leads projects supporting clinical pharmacy services related to organizational needs. 
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• Assists pharmacy management team in provision of clinical pharmacy services within the specialty area.
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• Assists with pharmacy residency-related tasks, as needed.
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• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.
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Essential Skils:

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• Proficiency in assessing the appropriateness of medication use to optimally and cost-effectively treat the condition of the patient
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• Proficiency in complying with hospital P&P, State and Federal healthcare laws, including USP 797 standards
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• Ability to oversee inventory management, medication preparation and dispensing, and medication administration
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• Proficiency in managing medication reconciliation
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• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines
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• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical agents, specialty pharmaceuticals, and investigational drugs used throughout the institution
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• Proficiency in detecting, preventing, and reporting adverse drug events and medication errors
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• Critical thinking and data analysis skills
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• Ability to communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, and staff to ensure clear and accurate exchange of information
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• Knowledge and ability to apply age-specific principles of pharmacology
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• Proficiency in educating the patient and healthcare team members on the appropriate and cost-effective use of medications
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• Observation skills
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• Proficiency in ensuring the safety use of medications
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• Proficiency in supervising Pharmacy Technicians
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• Written and verbal communication skills
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• Understanding of computer systems for pharmacy services
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• Ability to work cooperatively with the Information Systems department to plan, evaluate, develop, and maintain all information systems aspects of the Inpatient pharmacy
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• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations in a calm and professional manner
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• Proficiency in interdisciplinary problem solving and interactive team building skills
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