Clinical Pharmacist II

About this Job:

General Summary of Position
Collaborates and consults with physicians nurses and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe efficacious and cost-effective prescribing dispensing administration and monitoring of medication in the provision of pharmaceutical care. In so doing the pharmacist must have current specialized drug knowledge and demonstrate judgment communication skills self-direction and motivation to affect positive interventions in patient outcomes beyond those exhibited by those in a Clinical Pharmacist I position. Participate in educational programs as necessary to provide basic and advanced services of the Pharmacy Department. Additionally perform in the Clinical Pharmacist I role with its accountabilities and job activities pertaining to drug distribution supervision and non- dispensing functions.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates medication orders for accuracy and thoroughness. Resolves discrepancies of medication orders through communication with the physician clinical pharmacist or nursing staff and dispenses medication.
• Assesses feasibility compounds or verifies the compounding of extemporaneous products. Recommends alternative products when appropriate.
• Prepares IV admixtures and compounds sterile products including but not limited to: large volume parenteral mini-bags TPN solutions and hazardous agents including cytotoxic drugs.
• Reviews patient profile to determine contraindications with the prescription. Screens drugs/dosages to assure appropriateness based on the therapeutic intent and the patient's physiological functions. Participates in monitoring drug therapy under the supervision of a clinical level pharmacist or above when working in a decentralized setting.
• Dispenses controlled substances and maintains perpetual inventory of controlled substances assuring legal requirements and departmental policies and procedures are consistently followed.
• Provides functional supervision for support personnel. Monitors attendance and work quality organizes and prioritizes resources based on workload and productivity and directs the workflow of support personnel. Ensures departmental standards and time frames are met.
• Enters and verifies computer entries and data for drug orders. * In decentralized setting may instruct patients/families on the safe use of medications and counsel them on potential adverse effects.
• Monitors drug therapy of assigned patients and takes appropriate action to ensure optimum patient drug therapy drug selection and minimal adverse reaction. Assures drugs/dosages are accurate based on the therapeutic intent and the patient's physiologic functions. Reviews patient profile to determine possible contraindications with the prescription.
• Participates autonomously in-patient care rounds. Reviews patient specific data to evaluate patient's status and medication needs and develops a therapeutic plan. Counsels/educates patient on their medications e.g. to correct dosing schedule and duplicate therapy.
• Responds to evaluative and/or non-evaluative drug information requests.
• Assures compliance of prescribers with clinical practice guidelines and other drug policies or third-party prescription benefit management procedures minimizes non-formulary drug use eliminates therapeutic duplication. Makes recommendations for appropriate alternative medications duplicate therapy and dosage changes.
• Provides educational services including professional development of pharmacy technicians and the clinical pharmacists pharmacy residents nurses prescriber and other healthcare professionals.
• Maintains own knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading literature attending related seminars and conferences and completing continuing education credits as required by the department.
• Contributes to the achievement of established goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards and MedStar SPIRIT Values. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and the hospital in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
• Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• Doctoral degree from an accredited college of Pharmacy required or an equivalent Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of Pharmacy required

Experience

• PGY-1 or 3 years of direct patient care experience in a hospital setting required

Licenses and Certifications

• PHARMD - Licensed Pharmacist in the state of practice required
• Board certification required within 1 year of eligibility within 1 Year required

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills preferred.