Pharmacist Specialist

In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

Job Summary:  

Serves as the pharmacy team leader for a specific service line, developing and maintaining clinical expertise in the specialty area.  Incumbents function as the department representative for Pharmaceutical Services in their specific service line, and participates in departmental and hospital programs directed at improving patient care standards. Provides education, mentoring, and coaching for staff development, residents, students and interns for the service line.  Provides direction and solves problems for specific pharmacy service product line and communicates actions with department managers. 

Essential Duties: 

• Functions as a primary preceptor in specific pharmacy service line.
• Promotes education and development of the members of their team.
• Meets regularly with staff on their team to provide feedback on their performance development plan
• Participates in the performance evaluations of staff who work in their service area; develops additional mentors/preceptors from the specialty pharmacy team.
• Develops and presents pharmaceutical care education modules for pharmacy staff; organizes and provides in-services and educational programs for hospital staff and physicians pertaining to pharmacy products and procedures related to specialty area.
• Organizes and coordinates the pharmaceutical care activities of the department as they relate to the specialty area.
• Coordinates and conducts Core Group meetings and represents Core Group on Clinical Council. 
• Coordinates and conducts Quality Improvement and DUE activities in specialty area through the core group and presents reports on a regular basis.
• Serves as the point person for the development and improvement of pharmaceutical care role of pharmacists in specialty area.
• Develops a Plan of Succession for their duties, position; and serves on interdisciplinary performance improvement teams (PITs) as assigned.
• Assists in the development of annual departmental goals and objectives for the fiscal year.
• Recommends changes in policies and procedures to promote rational, cost-effective standards of patient care. 
• Informs supervisors of reportable situations and department needs, anticipating problems when possible.
• Designs, coordinates and completes evaluative studies, descriptive reports or research-oriented investigations with the Research Center, pharmacy supervisors and/or physicians.
• Develops, implements and maintains collaborative drug therapy management protocols in the specialty area (may include prescriptive authority protocols).
• Keeps protocols current and approved by the proper authorities.
• If assigned to in patient team-Represents Pharmaceutical Services on interdisciplinary clinical effectiveness and performance improvement teams in their specialty area; and regularly presents medication-related issues at nursing staff meetings.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Competence:  Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services.  Patient Population Served:  Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
• Exhibits and adheres to CHI Franciscan Health’s Core Values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence. 

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree or enrolled in a program to obtain this degree.
• Completion of Pharmacy Practice Residency and/or Specialty Residency or equivalent experience.
• Clinical experience with 3 years of recent direct patient care that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities preferred. 

Licensure/Certification:

• Licensure as a registered pharmacist by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. 
• Current healthcare provider BLS certification is required
• ACLS certification within six months of hire.
• Pharmacist preceptor certification within 6 months of hire if eligible or within 6 months after becoming eligible.  
• Membership in at least one of the following professional organizations: ASHP, ASCP, WSPA, APHA, ACCP and specialty practice group(s).