Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology/Pharmacist

Overview

The Pharmacy Specialist shall serve as a liaison between the pharmacy staff and the Oncology Pharmacy Manager. The Oncology Pharmacy Clinician shall, according to standard procedure: 1.) Facilitate the delivery of clinical services and the resolution of unresolved problems related to the clinical services; 2.) Be responsible for assuring the accurate and timely delivery of the drug information and other clinical services to patients and other health care providers; 3.) Enhance the delivery of the clinical pharmacy services through the development of a personal clinical practice, development of the clinical abilities of the staff, and education of  the pharmacy students/residents.

Responsibilities

Staffing & Clinical Activities:

Reviews, interprets, clarifies and processes all medication orders to ensure safety for patients of all ages using patient profiles and available clinical data.

Ensures the safe and timely delivery of medications to patient care areas.

Utilizes barcode verification and automation software and hardware when executing pharmacist checking and dispensing functions.

Provides clinical pharmacy services including pharmacokinetics, renal dosing, IV to PO interchanges, dosing recommendations, and antibiotic stewardship review as appropriate for assigned coverage areas in central or other areas of general coverage.

Documents clinical interventions.

Supervision & Pharmacy Workflow:

Monitors pharmacy work flow to ensure all daily distributive and clinical functions are accomplished.

Supervises and redirects technical staff to optimize time management, execute timely medication delivery, and to ensure auditing and cleaning responsibilities are completed as defined in established daily workflows.

Provides immediate, direct supervision, as defined by pharmacy leadership, to unlicensed pharmacy students on rotation.

Medication Safety & Compliance

Ensures a safe and appropriate medication use process through medication event reporting.

Performs and documents monthly unit inspections and consults with and advises nursing staff on proper storage and handling of medications including code carts and floor stock.

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

Maintains annual continuing education requirements as required by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy.

Training:

Functions as a preceptor when assigned to train Pharmacists and Pharmacy Residents.

Attends department training opportunities and meetings offered by Pharmacy Leaders and/or Pharmacy Residents.

Demonstrates competence and proficiency on annual DCH competency assessments as developed by the Pharmacy Manager or Team Leaders.

Provides medication information and educational programs to patients, health care staff, and pharmacy staff.

Performance Improvement:

Participates in performance improvement and cost-saving activities as defined by pharmacy leadership.

Monitors the medication use process in assigned staffing areas on a routine basis and reports inconsistencies and makes recommendations to pharmacy leadership to improve mediation safety within the hospital.

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 or acquire license in 90 days. Must be an Alabama pharmacy preceptor or become a preceptor within six months. The candidate must have developed an area of personal clinical practice, contributing regularly to patient care, and has exhibited a commitment to maintain a level of practice well beyond that required of staff practitioners.

This position requires a:

• B.S. or Pharm.D. Degree required
• Completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 required
• An ASHP Accredited PGY2 in Oncology or minimum of four years post graduate experience in direct patient care in an oncology care environment is preferred.  

ACCP board certification (BCPS or BCOP) is preferred.  ACLS Certification is preferred.  Experience precepting and training pharmacy students and residents are preferred.  Membership and active participation in professional pharmacy organizations is expected.  Leadership experience is preferred.  Work experience on multidisciplinary teams and participating on Medical Staff Committees is preferred.  Must possess effective communication and supervisory skills.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.