Pharmacy Clin Practice Spclst (Drug Information) - Huntsville Central Pharmacy

Drug Information Pharmacy Clinical Practice Specialist

The mission of Correctional Managed Care is to address the healthcare needs of underserved patient populations within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).

Job Summary:

Provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care to patients on a given medical service.

Job Description:

The Drug Information Pharmacy Clinical Practice Specialist (PCPS) works with providers, nurses, and pharmacy staff to provide appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions that maximize patient outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, formulary status, and pharmaco-economics. Serves as a resource for advanced drug information support and expertise; collaborates with other clinical specialists on pharmacy training to promote learning and performance of pharmacists, technicians, residents, and students; and serves as a clinical instructor and preceptor for pharmacy students and residents. The PCPS maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, problem resolution, and close cooperation with other departments to accomplish the organization's mission and goals. The goal is to foster a patient-focused, team-based multidisciplinary model of care that promotes rationale drug prescribing and monitoring to ensure positive outcomes are achieved with medication use.

Service Area: Drug Information

Provides clinical and consultant pharmacy services to patients and other health care professionals that focus on two broad areas:

Patient-Focused Activities:

• Answers drug information questions related to the care of patients or drug therapy.
• Answers non-formulary consultations.

Population-Focused Activities:

• Provides timely, evidence-based drug information to promote the safe and rational use of medications.
• Prepares materials for Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Develops and maintains drug use policies.
• Participates in formulary management including formulary design, category reviews, and medication use evaluations.
• Participates in development and maintenance of clinical practice guidelines.
• Monitors use of high-cost medications.

Problem solving, written communication, team building, and administrative skills are essential.

Essential Job Functions:

• Optimizes pharmaceutical care through policy development and formulary management, development and evaluation of disease management guidelines, development of patient education materials, drug category reviews, and medication use evaluations.
• Evaluates new drugs for formulary inclusion based on safety, efficacy and cost while also considering the need for any restrictions and minimizing duplication.
• Communicates formulary decisions (additions, deletions, new and revised policies, new and revised disease management guidelines) following each Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (P&T) meeting.
• Publishes quarterly P&T newsletter.
• Publishes annual Formulary book.
• Manages drug shortages including identifying alternative treatments and communicating with customers.
• Monitors and assesses clinical significance of safety alerts from the FDA, manufacturers, and other sources.
• Reviews non-formulary requests and promote rationale, evidence-based recommendations.
• Promotes stewardship and pharmaceutical care through participation in interdisciplinary activities such as P&T meetings, unit personnel training, interdepartmental educational activities, etc.
• Assists in the development of educational programs for professional and support staff related to medications and appropriate prescribing.
• Provides education about drug therapy provided to patients.
• Provides other health professionals with drug and clinical information in response to specific questions or relating to new, evolving issues related to the care of patients.
• Provides clinical education and training to students and residents in the Department of Pharmacy.
• Participates in quality assurance programs such as medication use evaluations and monitoring of medication errors and adverse events.
• Adheres to departmental and institutional internal controls.
• Performs related duties as required.

Equipment: Standard office and pharmaceutical equipment.

Work Environment: Standard office environment. May be located within the confines of a prison, jail or juvenile detention center. Security clearance is required; pre-employment drug testing is also required.

Required Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from an accredited College of Pharmacy and two (2) years clinical experience or residency training. Current license or eligible to practice pharmacy in the state of Texas.

Preferred Education/Experience:

Doctor of Pharmacy degree with drug information residency training. Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) or Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) also preferred.

Salary is commensurate with years of relevant work experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRRA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.