Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist OPAT Program

Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist OPAT Program

Join University Hospitals and help lead the development of a comprehensive OPAT program that improves patient safety, enhances care transitions, and drives value across the health system. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH CMC) is seeking a highly motivated Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to join our Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team. This role will help development and implementation of an OPAT program for UH Cleveland Medical Center, a strategic initiative designed to improve patient outcomes by safely managing patients requiring prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy in the outpatient setting. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will serve as a subject matter expert in antimicrobial therapy and OPAT management, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to optimize care transitions and reduce complications, readmissions, and healthcare utilization.

Position Summary: As a core member of the OPAT team, the Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will:

• Serve as a clinical expert in antimicrobial stewardship and OPAT management
• Collaborate closely with Infectious Diseases physicians, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), and RN coordinators
• Provide prospective review of OPAT laboratory data, particularly for high-risk therapies (e.g., vancomycin)
• Recommend and implement antimicrobial dosing adjustments and therapy modifications
• Support transitions of care for patients discharging on IV antimicrobial therapy
• Contribute to system-wide OPAT workflows, protocols, and quality initiatives

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and interpret OPAT related labs and clinical data to ensure safe therapy
• Optimize antimicrobial dosing, monitoring, and duration of therapy
• Identify and mitigate adverse drug events and line-related complications
• Collaborate with APPs to implement therapy changes and patient management plans
• Participate in multidisciplinary OPAT care coordination and case review
• Contribute to development of policies, guidelines, and best practices
• Document clinical interventions and outcomes
• Participate in medication safety, stewardship, and quality improvement initiatives
• Serve as a resource for pharmacists and healthcare providers across the system

What You Will Do:

• Provide Clinical Pharmacy Services (drug information, drug therapy monitoring, patient specific consultations, healthcare staff education, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomic evaluations in selected patient populations)
• Investigate/research/report adverse drug reactions
• Participate in Medication Safety and Therapeutics (MS&T) Committee process: evaluate requests for new drug usage and old formulary drug relevance and review therapeutic classes for relevance, assist in maintaining and updating the system formulary
• Serve as an informational and patient problem solving resource for Clinical Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals
• Provide continuing education to Clinical Pharmacist staff
• Documentation of clinical activities
• Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students
• Actively participate in local and system committees and workgroups pertaining to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist's area of expertise

Additional Responsibilities: Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all policies and standards. For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation. Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.

Qualifications:

• Education: Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy (Required)
• Completion of an ASHP accredited residency/residencies or 3-5 years of experience in the practice area. (Preferred)
• Work Experience: less than 1 year Experience as a pharmacist with training in drug therapy of diseases including the knowledge and application of clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and pharmaceutics to patients, training in cost analysis/cost evaluation techniques (Preferred)
• Training or experience in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy
• Experience with antimicrobial stewardship or outpatient therapy management preferred
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Computer systems skills in spreadsheet, database and word processing (Preferred proficiency) Must demonstrate highly effective written and oral communication skills (Required proficiency) Strong clinical knowledge of antimicrobial therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring Excellent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills Ability to analyze clinical data and make evidence-based recommendations Interest in program development and quality improvement
• Licenses and Certifications: Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph) in the State of Ohio (Required)

Physical Demands: Standing Frequently Walking Frequently Sitting Rarely Lifting Frequently up to 50 lbs Carrying Frequently up to 50 lbs Pushing Frequently up to 50 lbs Pulling Frequently up to 50 lbs Climbing Occasionally up to 50 lbs Balancing Occasionally Stooping Frequently Kneeling Frequently Crouching Frequently Crawling Occasionally Reaching Frequently Handling Frequently Grasping Frequently Feeling Constantly Talking Constantly Hearing Constantly Repetitive Motions Constantly Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly

Travel Requirements: 10%

About UH Cleveland Medical Center: UH Cleveland Medical Center is a 1,000+ bed quaternary care, Level I Trauma Academic Medical Center located in Cleveland's historic University Circle. The institution supports a robust clinical pharmacy program with specialists across ICU, infectious diseases, oncology, transplant, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics, psychiatry, and more.

Why Join Us? Be part of a forward-thinking, innovative pharmacy department Work in a collaborative academic environment with multidisciplinary teams Help build a program that directly impacts patient safety, outcomes, and system value Access strong opportunities for professional growth, teaching, and research Joining our team comes with several benefits, including: Competitive hourly rate Sign on bonus Free parking Tuition reimbursement