Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

The pharmacist specialist is responsible for the safe, effective and cost-effective selection and utilization of medications for the patients in which they serve. The specialist uses advanced knowledge, skills, and professional judgment in all aspects of his or her work.

The pharmacist specialist will serve as a leader of pharmacy services including adult and pediatric inpatient areas and satellites, specialty areas such as operating rooms, Emergency Department, and outpatient services. The specialist is responsible for directly supervising support personnel in the immediate assigned area and may act as supervisor in situations as assigned.

The pharmacist specialist serves as a patient advocate when planning and implementing pharmaceutical care. By considering the patient's disease state(s), age, lab values, and other pertinent information, the specialist evaluates medication orders and intervenes when appropriate. As a member of a multidisciplinary rounding team, the pharmacist will collaborate with other healthcare professionals and represent pharmacy in a knowledgeable and professional manner. In addition to planning and implementing pharmaceutical care, the pharmacist will ensure regulatory and quality measures are followed (SCIP, Core Measures, etc).

Cost-effective utilization of medications will be reviewed by the specialist during patient rounds, order entry and while performing medication use evaluations (MUEs). As needed, the pharmacist will provide recommendations and/or literature to prescribers supporting the use of formulary agents. The specialist will also establish and review evidence-based order sets within their practice.

Individuals in this position will strive to advance personal and departmental pharmaceutical knowledge. The pharmacist is expected to stay current on literature related to pharmacy practice and to engage others in learning through staff in-servicing and other education as needed.

The pharmacist specialist will be an active member of at least one of the following hospital committees: P&T Committee, Code Blue Committee, Medication Safety, NICU/PICU/Peds, Pain Management, Stroke Council, HCAHPS Committee, Infection Prevention, Cancer Committee or other committee as designated by the Director of Pharmacy. The specialist will also establish at least one project per calendar year with a goal of improving clinical practice or drug utilization (topic approved by pharmacy management).

Position Requirements:

A. Licensure/Certification/Registration: Registered Pharmacist in the State of Colorado. BCPS certification preferred. BCLS/ACLS required through AHA or ARC.

B. Education: B.S. or Pharm D. degree in Pharmacy. Graduate of an accredited residency program preferred

C. Experience: Minimum of three years clinical experience required. Previous management/project management experience preferred.

D. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Prepares and dispenses medication orders per physician request according to established policies, procedures, and protocols.

Verifies Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) orders for accuracy and appropriateness. Intervenes when orders are unclear or potentially unsafe or inappropriate.

Interprets medication orders (verbal and written) and transcribes to computerized patient medication profiles accurately. Maintains accurate, complete patient medication profiles. Trouble shoots/clarifies COE orders.

Prepares and dispenses medications, including sterile, chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition preparations safely and accurately using appropriate techniques.

Issues controlled substances to patient care areas and maintains records as required by law.

Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients according to established policies, procedures, and protocols.

Monitors medication therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, drug- laboratory test interactions, allergies, appropriateness of drug and dose, and therapeutic duplications.

Participates in all drug therapy management protocols including, but not limited to; pharmacokinetics, renal dose adjustments, LMWH dosing in obesity, Warfarin dosing, and IV to PO.

Reviews/interprets culture and susceptibility data for antibiotic appropriateness and recommends changes, as needed.

Reads, extracts, and interprets information in patient charts accurately.

Detects and reports suspected adverse drug reactions and medication errors accurately and in a timely manner.

Sustains the formulary by minimizing non-formulary procurements, utilizing therapeutic substitution protocols, and promoting rational medication therapy selection.

Provides clinical consultation and clarification to practitioners. Recommends evidence-based medication therapy regimens and monitoring plans. Suggests appropriate, cost-effective therapeutic alternatives to medical staff, as needed.

Provides accurate, adequate, and timely drug information to the professional staff.

Provides drug information to patients and their families/performs applicable medication reconciliation.

Utilizes Vigilanz/CPW to document all clinical work. Alerts/activations are acted upon promptly and when warranted, alerts are discussed with a physician

Documents all required double checks.

Participates in the quality improvement and medication-use review activities of the department. Collects data; conducts quality monitors and inspections; and maintains logs, records, and other documentation as assigned.

Participates in the development and presentation of orientation, education, and training programs to the pharmacy, medical, nursing, and other staffs.

Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department.

Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians. Participates in the performance appraisal of pharmacy support personnel.

Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments. Ensures pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner.

Completes weekly unit medication inspections. Identifies and replaces outdated and unusable medications. Identifies and remedies unsafe medication security issues.

Answers the telephone, identifying self and department. Directs calls to appropriate personnel. Answers requests at the window.

Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat, and well-organized.

Performs essential duties of the pharmacy supervisors/director in his/her absence.

Maintains competence required for current job title/position.

Maintains current pharmacist licensure.

Attends orientation, education, and training programs. Reviews literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy.

Completes all competence/skills assessment requirements (see attached competence assessment/skills list).

Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Is punctual and dependable; reports to work as scheduled.

Absenteeism and tardiness are within policy guidelines.

Maintains a neat, professional, well-groomed appearance. Wears identification badge at all times.

Performs work within specified time frames. Adapts positively to frequent interruptions and changes in workload and/or work schedule.

Provides courteous, cooperative service to patients, visitors, and staff. Demonstrates good oral and written communication.

Works cooperatively with all staff. Voices concerns and suggestions to appropriate persons in a positive manner.

Demonstrates sound professional judgment consistent with clinical/academic background.

Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, visitor, and employee information. Complies with HIPAA Privacy Rule standards.

Fosters a team environment by providing orientation and training to new team members.

Adheres to health system and departmental policies and procedures. Complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, medication-use safety, security, fire safety, and infection control. Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

Performance demonstrates efforts to improve patient satisfaction, lower costs, improve quality, and promote safety.

Understands and meets customers' needs and expectations. The patient and family members always come first.

Demonstrates the ability to address problems in a group setting using tools and techniques for identification and resolution of problems.

Demonstrates the values/standards and behaviors of the organization.

Attends meetings and participates in committees as required

Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Pharmacy/Clinical Manager in accordance with established facility hospital policies and accrediting agencies.

Is able to work with automated systems. Is granted Automated Dispensing System (ASDS-Pyxis) /Meditech access and privileges.

Internal Contacts: Physicians, nursing personnel, IS, and various other departments utilizing pharmacy services.

External contacts: Patients, vendors' representatives, pharmacy students, federal, state and local regulatory agencies.

Degree of Supervision Required:

Individual proceeds independently on his/her own initiative, in compliance with law, regulatory bodies, policies, procedures and practices of SMC. Collaborates/coordinates with department leadership, COE and as necessary, also collaborates with other members of the senior leadership team.