Clinical Pharmacist (Full time- Day Shift)

POSITION SUMMARY:

In collaboration with the physician and other allied health professionals, evaluate drug therapy based on acuity/potential for problems, and provide medication-related care for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that impact length of stay, patient satisfaction, satisfaction of other health professionals, and cost containment. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:

• Identifies drug therapy strategies that improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
• Utilizes assessment skills in the management of medically complex elderly to monitor responses to drug therapy. 
• Provides information to patients, either directly as a consultation or in preparation of patient teaching aides or computer-generated warning or supplemental information.
• Conducts drug utilization reviews to assure the quality of drug use. Determines if criteria for drug use is met in patient cases being reviewed.
• Educates health care professionals and patients in the safe and effective use of medication. This education may be informal (e.g. patient care rounds), as a staff development education program, or as part of the hospital’s interdisciplinary education program.
• Support and assist interdepartmental projects as requested (e.g. MUE, P&T monographs, newsletter articles, performance improvement activities, etc.).
• Provides drug information to prescribers and other health care professionals. Contributes articles to the hospital and/or pharmacy newsletters. Assures that pertinent drug information is maintained in the pharmacy.
• Develops criteria and makes recommendations to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee on the appropriate use of medications and/or inclusion in the hospital formulary.
• Interprets and evaluates all medication orders and assures for safe and effective medication, dose route and scheduled administration with clarification as deemed necessary.
• Reviews physician orders and suggests alternate therapies as appropriate. Demonstrates this activity by preparing clinical intervention documentation.
• Prepares and dispenses medications in accordance with professional practice guidelines, state pharmacy laws, and regulatory standards in addition to departmental policies and procedures.
• Advises the physician, nurse and patient regarding the contents, therapeutic action, utilization and possible adverse reactions or interactions of medication.
• Responds to drug information and poison information requests as required.
• Performs computer order entry functions and rotates to all work areas as assigned.
• Actively participates in medication safety programs. Active participation is defined as identifying opportunities to improve safety (reporting errors and adverse drug events), and implementing system-based changes as a result of those opportunities.
• Monitors prescriptions to prevent adverse reactions, allergies and/or drug interactions. Counsels physicians, patients and nurses accordingly. Participates in drug interaction notification.
• Serves as a role model of customer service by responding constructively to the needs of hospital staff. Responding constructively is defined as using a respectful communication style that is consistent with professional collaboration.

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SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: The following duties are considered secondary to the primary duties listed above:

• Develops practice standards and procedures for education, staff development and policy manuals.
• Assists pharmacy education and training; prepares pharmacists for clinical activities. Precept students, as assigned.

• Provides drug information education to staff physicians informally and formally and through drug literature searches.

• Controls the disposition of narcotics, other controlled substances, and dangerous drugs as required by state and federal regulations.

• Serves as a training resource for new employees and assists in evaluating their progress; may assist in preparing work schedules, setting work priorities and making work assignments as directed. Mentors pharmacy students in applicable educational experiential training programs.

• Inspect and verify all non-formulary drugs that a patient brings to the institution intended for use by physician order.

• Performs monthly nursing unit inspections, maintains workload records and collects quality assurance data.

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JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Pharm.D. or B.S. Pharmacy with equivalent relevant experience required.
• Current licensure (or eligible to reciprocate) in the State of Pennsylvania required.
• ASHP-Accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency or equivalent experience preferred.
• A health care provider in good standing with Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state health insurance programs, i.e. not excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal or state health insurance program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent of three (3) years experience as a hospital pharmacist.