Clinical Pharmacist

Overview

The Clinical Pharmacist – Primary Care/MTM - will provide collaborative pharmaceutical care to patients to ensure patients have access to all medically necessary prescription medications and those medications are used in a cost-effective, safe manner.  The pharmacist provides a clinical pharmacy outreach service to educate patients and their health care teams in order to optimize medication related healthcare outcomes, ensure patient safety, recommend cost-effective medication strategies, and coordinate care efficiently and effectively.  The pharmacist will also be involved in providing prior authorization management and specialty pharmacy services.  The pharmacist will work in collaboration with providers, nurses, and pharmacy leadership to recommend and monitor the drug utilization, adverse drug reactions, and therapeutic regimens of patients.

Responsibilities

Deliver MTM services, including but not limited to, Comprehensive Medication Reviews, Disease Specific Medication Reviews, and Targeted Interventions to assess appropriateness of all medications, identify barriers to adherence, optimize medication therapy and to improve clinical outcomes

Generate deliverables to include: Personal Medication List (PML) through comprehensive medication reconciliation, patient-specific Medication Action Plan, and written/ verbal communication and feedback to healthcare providers.

Assist with managing medication costs through cost-effective interventions which may include, but are not limited to, formulary or therapeutic interchanges, pill splitting opportunities, combination products, assessing unnecessary and/or duplicate medication therapies, and de-escalating therapies.

Efficiently assess prescribed medication therapy for unnecessary medications, need for additional medications, patient educational gaps, ineffective medications, inappropriate doses, adverse drug reactions, adherence concerns and opportunities for medication synchronization.

Assist providers with prior authorization.

Assist providers with management of specialty medications to meet all standards.

Communicate professionally and discuss/document clinical recommendations/interventions to prescribers and interdisciplinary care teams

Follow-up with patients and/or caregivers with an additional follow-up phone call subsequent to the initial in-person visit and appropriately document outcomes in a timely manner

Serve as an advocate for the home care MTM pharmacy model to introduce and explain the benefits of MTM services to employees, patients, family members and providers within the community

Ensure patients and family members have a positive experience by providing a high level of customer service by always responding promptly, professionally, and politely

Has working knowledge of all State and Federal laws and regulations affecting the practice of pharmacy.

Maintains a clinical pharmacy rotation for students/residents or assists other preceptors. 

Documents improvements in patient outcomes and cost containment efforts in the department’s clinical intervention system. 

Participates in other performance improvement activities, as assigned by the Clinical Pharmacy Manager.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Must hold a current license to practice pharmacy in the State of Alabama. Must be an Alabama pharmacy preceptor or eligible. The candidate must have previous experience in direct patient contact and working collaboratively with health care providers.

This position requires a:

• S. or PharmD. Degree required, with
  • Completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 Residency with experience in primary care and/or MTM and specialty medications
  • Minimum of 2 years’ relevant primary care and MTM experience or
  • Completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 Residency and a PGY2 Residency in relevant area (such as Primary Care

Must possess effective communication and supervisory skills.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English

Preferred skills-

• BPS certification (BCAP) (BCPS), or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment is preferred. 
• Work experience on multidisciplinary teams with patients in the outpatient setting

• Knowledge and understanding of the Core Elements of MTM services 1) Medication Therapy Review Comprehensive and Targeted, 2) Personal Medication List (PML), 3) Medication-Related Action Plan (MAP), 4) Interventions and Referrals, and 5) Documentation of Services and Follow-up
• Excellent Listening Skills present a warm, friendly, and empathetic demeanor demonstrating active listening techniques
• Clear and Concise Communication Skills able to articulate information, both verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise professional and grammatically correct manner
• Consistent Professional Demeanor maintain professional attitude and behavior at all times
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills demonstrate empathy with patients and family members in tone, language, questions and demonstrate patience, caring, sensitivity, empathy, and cultural competency throughout job responsibilities
• Computer/Technology Competency:
  • Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
  • Able to multi-task using multiple computer databases/platforms/applications

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

Environmental

• Exposure to contaminants
• Exposure to hazardous conditions
• Close physical proximity
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment

Psychological

• Contact with others
• Occasionally deal with unpleasant or angry people
• Daily use of electronic mail
• Engage in face to face discussions
• Frequent use telephone
• Work with group or team

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Physical activities include: Talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, kneeling, crouching, stooping, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion, standing, and/or using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls).
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Possible exposure to disease, infection and hazardous materials.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

• Must be pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Must be reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfill obligations.
• Must be able to file and maintain records.
• Must be careful about detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
• Must be willing to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Must be honest and ethical.
• Must be able to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.