Clinical Specialist, Pharmacy Informatics

Informatics Clinical Specialist

The Informatics clinical specialist will be responsible for the clinical and medication use policy dimensions of the pharmacy information system, the integrated medical record, clinical documentation system, and the inpatient prescriber order entry systems. This pharmacist is responsible for the coordination of the system with an intimate understanding of changing scientific and biomedical evidence, a dynamic medication distribution system, and maturing technology. This position is responsible for achieving in-depth knowledge of the software and to build and maintain the electronic medical record (EMR) and its medication related components. The incumbent in this job will conduct regular day-to-day communication with the EMR vendor installation team, review the software, analyze business operations, and work with Information System staff and Clinical team members to tailor the system to fit department needs. The incumbent will perform in-depth analyses of clinical and technical issues associated with the use of the EMR. The pharmacist will also be responsible for developing and documenting the internal procedures that will be used in conjunction with the EMR applications. These duties are to be performed in a highly confidential manner, in accordance with the mission, values and behaviors of Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Employees are further expected to provide a high quality of care, service, and kindness toward all patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and guests.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitates the development of EMR specifications tailored to the departmental use and future business need.
• Meets with Information Technology Systems (I/S), Analysts, and EMR vendor to facilitate discussion of application specification.
• Works with the pharmacy staff and management to acquire an understanding of the underlying needs of the department and translates these needs into how the system should be built.
• Develops and documents internal procedures.
• Reviews prior system specifications to understand current system applications.
• Prepares details of specifications as needed and understand choices in application specifications.
• Investigate preferred choices of users.
• Analyzes data conversion needs.
• Sets standards for naming and numbering conventions and security classifications.
• Assists trainers during user training.
• Collects information regarding potential system enhancement needs.
• Maintains project plan status and regularly updates client department on project implementation and timeframe status.
• Maintain medication related EMR applications according to the department specifications.
• Configures application according to use specifications.
• Manages and develops orders sets in collaboration with the knowledge management system oversight provided by EMR vendor.
• Responsible for building complex medication orders (mixtures, IV solutions, parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, etc) and investigational medication orders.
• Will be implementing the project of transitioning all of the Chemotherapy regimens in to the EMR (NCCN template updated, and custom to the Insight Hospital and Medical Center.
• Tests the medication order build of non-pharmacist team members.
• Oversees the clinical knowledge databases (drug-drug interactions, route selection, etc), guideline compliance rules (hard edits and reminders), and decision support toolsets (flags and reminders).
• Prioritizes and implements changes requested for the system.
• Establishes change control procedures for the system.
• Coordinates soft updates and change with users.
• Works with users on sharing of data and category lists.
• Reviews and tests each new release and communicates changes needed to Insight Staff before users are permitted to access new releases.
• Maintains rules and documentation for how each new version is released.
• Is competent in the range of treatment needed by the following patient as appropriate to the ages (Adult, pediatric, geriatric, adolescent, and psychiatric).
• Coordinates technical system changes with Insight IT, Heroic IT, and Cerner staff.
• Maintains issues list to regularly update EMR vendor and I/S staff on technical implementation of issues and resolutions.
• Works with EMR vendor staff to understand user specifications that may require more specific tailoring or configuration.
• Populates databases with assistance from EMR vendor staff.
• Serves as liaison between users and Insight staff and I/S Staff to respond to technical questions.
• Coordinates with the Director of Pharmacy (DOP) and will be responsible for any projects assigned from the DOP.

Job Specifications:

• Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge: Pharm.D. or equivalent from an ACPE- accredited School of Pharmacy and a current pharmacist license in good standing with appropriate State Board of Pharmacy. ASHP Accredited PGY-1 pharmacy residency preferred. At least 3 years or more years work experience in pharmacy informatics preferred. Experience using computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and pharmacy information systems.
• Skills: Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing pharmacy services. Proficient in the use and application of new medications and technology. Effective verbal and written communication skills are required. Ability to effectively participate on an interdisciplinary team or committee. Knowledge of pathophysiology, interpretation of diagnostic criteria, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics. Problems solving ability and analytical thinking preferred.
• Abilities: Ability to work independently and handle stress appropriately. Ability to work cooperatively with other members of Insight Hospital and Medical Center and pharmacy staff. Ability to handle multiple tasks and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule. Ability to set priorities, makes critical decisions, and responds to client concerns. Fosters a team environment. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written).