Clinical Pharmacist

Job Summary:

The Clinical Pharmacist performs the functions of a licensed pharmacist in preparing and providing medication distribution and drug information throughout the hospital and to the primary care team, under the general direction of the Director of Pharmacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs any task required to provide safe and efficient medication therapy to patients.
• Monitors the administration of medications to the patient and assists with verification of medication orders for dosing, interactions, compatibility, allergies, contraindications, and overall appropriateness of therapy
• Performs daily clinical chart reviews for assigned clinical shift assessing therapy and utilization of high-risk medications, intervenes as necessary and documents appropriately
• Creates targeted interventions to decrease risk of readmission, optimize therapy, and improve medication safety
• Provides updated drug information to providers and staff including cost-effective and optimized treatment recommendations
• Follows clinical guidelines set by medical staff and evaluates patient history in making clinical decisions
• Consults with a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, registered dieticians throughout the hospital system
• Works in both centralized and decentralized roles, including the pharmacy, oncology department, ambulatory care practices, emergency department, intensive care unit, and other applicable areas
• Provides counseling of new and/or modified medications to patients discharging from the institution
• Dispenses medications to the automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) and/or the nursing units with the safety of the patient in mind, in accordance with all NH state and federal rules and laws.
• Compounds medications in accordance with all NH state and federal rules and laws.
• Verifies technician preparation of compounded medication products for accuracy, sterility, and stability
• Supervises Pharmacy Technicians
• Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students
• Participates in performance improvement projects for the department
• Attends and participates in all relevant hospital in-service programs, committees and required events.  Participates in Pharmacy training programs and staff meetings
• Exercises care in the operation and use of hospital equipment and reference materials.  Performs routine cleaning and preventative maintenance to ensure continuing functions of equipment.  Maintains work areas in a clean and organized manner.
• Performs additional tasks as directed by the Director of Pharmacy

Job Requirements

Job knowledge and skills

• Reports to work as scheduled or communicates deviations to Director of Pharmacy and Employee Health (if applicable)
• Adheres to Personal Appearance Policy
• Performs work within specified time frames
• Adapts positively to frequent interruptions and changes in workload.
• Demonstrates sound professional judgment consistent with clinical/academic background
• Complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, security, and infection control.
• Adheres to health system and departmental policies and procedures.  Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Works cooperatively with all staff.  Voices concerns and suggestions to appropriate persons in a positive manner.
• Participates in departmental and organizational performance improvement and CQI activities

• Ability to be committed to the observation of aseptic techniques in handling sterile products and equipment, and the maintenance of a stringently clean work area at all times.
• Ability to deliver patient care in a manner that is appropriate to the demographics and/ or specific needs of the patient population served by the hospital.
• Demonstrates proficiency in assessing, responding, and adapting treatment of care to meet the needs of the patient population served by the hospital. 
• Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Ability to pick, pinch, type or otherwise work with fingers rather than the whole hand.  Ability to apply pressure to object with fingers and palm
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication (e.g., in normal office setting), and to make fine discrimination in sound.
• Ability to plan and perform a wide variety of duties requiring general knowledge of policies and procedures applicable for that area.  Requires considerable judgment to work independently toward general results, devising methods, modifying, or adapting standard procedures to meet different conditions, making decisions based on precedent and policy
• Ability to establish and maintain communications and positive working relationships within the department and with other hospital departments.  Ability to develop relationships with patients, employees, regulatory agencies, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to accept constructive feedback and initiate appropriate actions to correct situations.
• Ability to present clinical findings to a multidisciplinary and make recommendations based on evidence based, patient centered clinical judgement.

Education & Experience

• Current New Hampshire license to practice Pharmacy by the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy required
• Pharm.D. preferred
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) preferred
• 1 - 3 years of clinical pharmacy experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree from an American Council on Pharmaceutical Education accredited college of pharmacy strongly preferred
• Residency training or 2 years of direct patient care experience preferred
• Experience working on a multidisciplinary team or within a clinical specialty preferred

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise more objects.  Ability to stand for sustained periods of time; move about on foot to accomplish tasks.

Visual acuity sufficient for work which deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, computer terminal operation, extensive reading.  Operation of machines (including inspection), using measurement devices, assembly, or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Ability to endure periods of heavy workload or excessive stress; ability to work with frequent interruptions and respond appropriately to unexpected situations

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word.

Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication (e.g., in normal office setting), and to make fine discrimination in sound.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Covenant Health reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

Standard of Business Conduct

Every St Joseph Hospital employee is required to abide by the Standards of Conduct and to report any activity that appears to violate the Standards of Conduct.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

•Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

•Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

•Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

•Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).

Comp Range:

Rate of pay displayed reflects the beginning of the pay scale.  At the time of an offer, determination of your offer will reflect your skills and experience as it relates to the position.

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