Clinical Pharmacist Inpatient

Job Title

Clinical Pharmacist

Duties

The clinical pharmacist ensures safe, effective medication use by assessing therapy, dispensing accurately, monitoring outcomes, educating, collaborating, and performing medication reconciliation. Functions or scope of practice include:

• Clinical
  • Ensures effective medication use by assessing therapy, dispensing accurately, monitoring outcomes, educating patients and staffing, and resolving medication issues.
  • Conducts patient counseling before discharge (including patient/family education), fulfills medication reconciliation duties, and documents the encounter.
  • Collects a complete list of current medications from the discharging service.
  • Validates and updates the medication list to show which medications will be added, continued, or discontinued at discharge.
  • Compares the validated and updated list to the provider's discharge instructions and discharge medication orders.
  • Makes recommendations about drug therapy by comparing the medication list with provider orders, taking into account the patient's medical condition and any refill needs.
  • Documents all collected and validated information in the patient's electronic medical chart.
  • Verifies and prepares oncology medications safely, monitors, collaborates, and supports care.
  • Provides consultation to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy.
  • Evaluates patient medication comprehension and provides clear oral and written counseling to reinforce understanding.
  • Monitors medication dosages and intended therapy using available clinical information.
  • Responds to pharmacy consults involving aminoglycoside and vancomycin dosing.
  • Addresses consults related to herbal medications, non-VA medications, and renal dosing considerations.
  • Reviews new medication orders for duplication, allergies, and continuity of care.
  • Participates in Quality Assurance programs as directed by the supervisor.
  • Validates and updates patient allergy information in VistA and CPRS for all admitted patients.
  • Validates and updates Averse Drug Reaction (ADR) information in VistA, CPRS, and VA's Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VADERS).
  • Documents and reports medication errors and near misses.
  • Provides clinical pharmacy information and supports services to ensure optimal therapy.
  • Works with outpatient pharmacy and staff to support seamless medication processes for discharging patients.
• Dispensing
  • Verifies medication orders accurately using VistA and CPRS.
  • Supports outpatient or inpatient pharmacy staffing as needed.
  • Conducts quality control analysis for dispensing activities, including automated dispensing equipment and pharmacy technician workflows.
  • Takes appropriate action on all medication orders, including non-formulary items, compounds, and items that are out of stock.
  • Resolves drug distribution issues and supports quality assurance programs.
• Formulary Management
  • Participates in developing policies, procedures, criteria for use, and guidelines related to drug therapy.
  • Reviews non-formulary or restricted medication requests, approves or denies them according to medical center criteria and clinical appropriateness.
• Training, Education, and Personal Competence
  • Provides training, and orientation to pharmacy staff, students, and residents to support competency and professional development.
  • Educates patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals on medication therapy, safe medication practices, and clinical pharmacy services.
  • Provides medication-related information to patients and healthcare staff.
  • Delivers in-service education to pharmacists, residents, interns, students, nurses, medical students, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Maintains working knowledge of service and medical center policies, contributes to TJC surveys and other quality or risk management inspections.
  • Maintains competence by taking part in staff development programs.
  • Shares essential information with other pharmacists to support daily pharmacy operations.
• Security
  • Maintains strict security over all medications within the pharmacy and hospital medication storage areas, ensures pharmacy security.
• Research
  • Participates in or assists with research projects assigned by the Pharmacy Service.
  • Collects, analyzes, and organizes data for research or quality improvement projects.
  • Reviews professional literature, incorporates applicable research findings into pharmacy practice.

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday Between 0600-1730. Rotating weekends and Holidays based off the needs of the service.

Telework: No

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 41177F/41188F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized