Pharmacist, Collaborative Care

Collaborative Care Pharmacist

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It's also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The collaborative care pharmacist, in collaboration with other healthcare team members, manages their patient's medication therapies and optimizes therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use while reducing the potential risk of adverse events related to medications. The ability to provide clear and accurate medication information to patients and healthcare professionals is paramount. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. A strong work ethic is essential. The clinical staff pharmacist must comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. Weekday hours TBD and every 3rd weekend and rotating holidays in the centralized pharmacy is required.

A day in the life of a Collaborative Care Pharmacist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Accurately prepares and dispenses (and/or directly supervises) drug products throughout the assigned area in a timely fashion. Ensures the appropriateness of drug, dose, route, frequency, and duration for each medication ordered before dispensing. Automatically substitutes medications following the Automatic Substitution Policy. Clarifies all clinical ambiguities with the prescriber and completes the order clarification and order entry process appropriately. Corrects profiled orders when errors noted or if there is potential for misinterpretation. Ensures accuracy of all work completed by support staff (including accuracy of cassette filling when applicable). Ability to prioritize individual workflow and shift/expand assignments when requested. Utilizes intervention documentation application (with a minimum of 100 interventions monthly). Adheres to the non-formulary decision tree tool. Adheres to approved process of identifying and reporting of medication errors. Maintains accurate records as required by policy and procedure to document drug transactions with the Pharmacy and throughout the hospital.
• Reviews patient profiles to ensure appropriate and safe drug therapy. Prevents duplication of therapy, significant drug interactions and avoidable adverse drug events secondary to allergies. Ensures medications ordered are appropriate for patient height, weight, age, renal function and disease state for the geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatric, and neonatal populations. Clarifies questionable and/or controversial orders with the physician. Serves as a resource for drug information and utilizes appropriate reference materials. Communicates outstanding issues with covering pharmacists. Competent in vancomycin dosing protocol and all other clinical initiatives. Successfully completes all mandatory clinical and hospital competencies by assigned date. Understands and accesses physician portal when necessary.
• Expected to attend multidisciplinary rounds to provide drug information and to represent the pharmacy during plan of care development. Will be involved in the transition of care initiatives.
• Engages patients when requested to counsel on current drug therapy regimens. Serves as a resource of drug information for patients and caregivers as requested. Will be involved in the transition of care initiatives. Identifies and addresses potential barriers to patient medication use, understanding, and adherence. Participates in patient education and outreach programs. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with patients and visitors.
• Will participate and prepare educational programs for the pharmacy department and other departments as assigned. Will assist in accomplishing the goals and implementing the clinical initiatives identified.
• Utilizes the pharmacy computer system to fulfill job requirements. Appropriately charges and credits patient accounts. Adheres to appropriate procedures and notifies ISD and Pharmacy Management of outstanding hardware/software issues. Strong working knowledge of the Narc Vault/Omnicell application. Answers and/or triages phone calls in a courteous manner; identifying self by name and location.
• Manages IV workflow while managing technicians appropriately. Ensures accurate and timely completion of batches. Maintains policies and procedures of the IV room: gowning, logs, cleaning, and environment. Prepares, labels, and dispenses parenteral drug products using appropriate aseptic technique. Verifies accuracy of TPN orders and enters TPN information in a timely fashion. Contacts physicians on any questionable IV/TPN orders. Familiarity with normal concentrations of additives in the geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatric and neonatal populations. Capable of calculating fluid, electrolyte and caloric needs. Successfully completes all mandatory competencies by assigned date.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor of Science or Pharm. D. required.
• Hospital experience required.
• General pharmacy knowledge; computer literate.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Registered Pharmacist License.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

Hackensack Meridian Health