Clinical Pharmacist - Inpatient

Pharmacist

Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most optimal, clinically appropriate, and cost effective medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient-centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and other data to help determine efficacy and anticipate adverse effects and toxicity of medication therapy; reviewing patient medication history and reconciling any discrepancies; monitoring patients for clinically relevant signs or symptoms of medication therapy; provides medication counseling to patients upon discharge to confirm treatment plans; interpreting, evaluating, and approving medication orders for inpatients, procedural areas, and clinics; accurately dispensing medications in a timely manner to meet patient care needs; and precepting pharmacy residents and students. The pharmacist will be assigned on a rotating basis to inpatient medical and surgical service care teams. The staff pharmacist will be consulted by their team(s) for comprehensive medication management and pharmacy services for complex patients in the acute care setting. Pharmacists will also provide pharmaceutical and operational support for all procedures and treatments provided in all ICVAHCS clinics, including CBOCs.

Clinical Functions: The primary mission of a pharmacist is to implement safe and appropriate use of medications. They are to be advocates and provide management of logical drug therapy including the following list of activities outlined in VHA Directive 1108.07, but is not limited to:

• Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice:
• Core functions include medication management in practice areas identified in the individual scope of practice. Participation in patient care rounds.
• Design, implement, document, monitor, and adjust patient-specific therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas.
• Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities:
• Review, interpret, evaluate, and approve patient medication orders and regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, route of administration, efficacy, side effects, potential drug interactions, appropriate monitoring, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicate findings with prescribers and provide appropriate recommendations to current treatment plans as needed.
• Monitor and report drug errors, physical signs and/or symptoms, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues with current medication regimen. Document findings regarding facility procedures.
• Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognize abnormalities and their clinical significance, and make therapeutic adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings.
• Assist Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee or pharmacy service leadership with medication use evaluations and other quality and safety initiatives.
• Effectively conduct medication interviews with patients and serve as the medical or surgical team's expert on the patient's medication regimen, compliance, and perspective. Make recommendations based on sound pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and other parameters to optimize safety and efficacy of the patient's medication regimen. Counsel patients on all pharmaceutical changes, provide expert counseling and teaching about changes made and document all activities.
• Pharmacy Operations:
• Maintain proficiencies and compliance in compounded sterile preparations and compounded hazardous medications, including appropriate preparation, stability, handling, beyond use dating, and disposal in accordance with USP and standards.
• Maintain competence in all operational aspects of pharmacy service, including all electronic medical record software, automation, distribution, labeling, bar code medication administration, packaging, documentation, controlled substance accountability, and inventory management.
• Supervise pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students in performance of any operational functions. Ensure workload is completed in a timely manner and prioritize tasks both personally and pharmacy wide to provide the most efficient and relevant service delivery. Effectively communicate these priorities to pharmacy staff.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm; rotating nights, weekends and holidays

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized