Pharmacy Informatics Specialist

Overview

The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist is responsible to collaborate with pharmacy leaders, patient care teams (Quality, Medication Safety, PI, etc.), as well as IT and other Informatics teams to develop, implement, and coordinate standardization of information system policies and procedures to promote the safe, efficient, and optimal use of medications. The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist will participate in organizational committees and serve as an expert Pharmacy Informatics resource, providing guidance and perspective on the design and development of pharmacy information systems to ensure that implementations support and enhance patient care, as well as the organization’s operational and strategic priorities. The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist must be able to multi-task, perform all duties independently with strong prioritization skills and be self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives.

Responsibilities

Pharmacy Systems Optimization/Maintenance:  The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist will participate and provide clinical input during pharmacy applications system review, design, development/build, testing, validation, and implementation to support enhancement of pharmacy information systems and end-user optimization. Understands the different pharmacy workflows and processes, clinical best practices, and regulatory requirements, resulting in current and future workflow enhancements/upgrades and performance improvements to support medication processes.  The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist will monitor and oversee the performance of the pharmacy information systems to ensure it is functioning correctly and meeting the organizational needs. Performs validation on changes, upgrades, or modifications to the current integrated information system with coordination with other Informatics teams.  Also, serves as a vital resource in helping ensure pharmacy charging and revenue integrity are maintained and optimized. The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist will test, train and adopt new system upgrades and maintenance of pharmacy dependent components designed to increase performance of CPOE, MAR (Medication Administration Record), smart pumps libraries, dose range checking, medication safety rules, outpatient prescription process, IV Prep, TPN software, ADM (Automated Dispensing Machines), etc., as well as other tasks as assigned. Will communicate with providers and clinical staff and serves as a resource during downtime of critical systems.

Workflows and Process Improvement:  Develops and maintains a strong, effective working relationship with pharmacy leaders and staff, as well as IT staff and other Informatics teams to ensure design application changes meet the organizational needs. Maintains a visual presence within the pharmacy departments, serving as a resource for pharmacy staff to assist and facilitate workflow and process improvement initiatives. Effectively receives, investigates and resolves issues reported by staff, providers and pharmacy leadership related to software, workflows and/or processes.  Will work to determine root cause(s) of problems/failures in collaboration with pharmacy leadership, IT and other Informatics teams, while following the pharmacy department and operational change management processes.  Develops training materials and other tools to assist the pharmacy leadership team in utilizing drug usage and other analytical reports and will provide troubleshooting assistance. Ensures that all pharmacy related changes are communicated to the pharmacy leadership team in a timely manner. Provides pharmacy education materials, at the elbow support, and training of EHR functionality and clinical workflows to support pharmacy educational needs and adoption. Participates in informatics on-call coverage to ensure medication-related processes are supported at all times.

Committee Support:  Leads or participates in interdisciplinary committee(s), with a focus on IT solutions for improving medication management such as OMT, Operational Change Management, etc., and communicates all follow-ups with identified stakeholders. Assists with process improvement activities, on-site training of staff; and IT-related patient safety opportunities to include but not limited to: Pharmacy team requests for IT changes; RCA (Root Cause Analysis) and FMEA (Failure Modes and Effect Analysis) team participation for pharmacy related IT issues; Daily review of e-mail requests and tickets; TJC (The Joint Commission) readiness assistance; Updates to IV pump safety libraries; Maintenance of dose range checking, dose capping, auto-verification and accurate order sets and order strings; Assist development of medication safety rules within the EMR; pro-active ADE (Adverse Drug Events) identification; Implementation of new technologies [e.g. IV Prep, Bluesight] or assisting with expansion of current technology [e.g.. Profile ADCs].

Other Duties as Assigned:  Other miscellaneous duties and responsibilities as assigned, including such activities as checking and addressing barcode issues; rekeying incorrect orders, working with pharmacists, physicians and nurses across the health system on IT medication-related opportunities, and working with system pharmacy buyers.

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

Position requires graduate of a school of pharmacy with a BS or PharmD degree and licensed in the State of Alabama by reciprocity or examination Must be fully licensed in Alabama within 60 days of hire. Must have a controlled substances certificate valid in the State of Alabama for the current year.

2 years or more of experience in pharmacy practice to include 1 year in hospital pharmacy setting or completion of a PGY1/PGY2 program within the past 12 months is required.

Previous participation and/or leadership in a hospital committee preferred.

Strong understanding of clinical workflow processes and performance improvements to support clinical practices.

Demonstrated ability to be self-directed with excellent organization, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Experience in using Meditech and/or previous experience in Pharmacy Informatics is preferred.

Ability to work independently, and manage multiple projects with strong prioritizing skills.

Evidence of commitment to enhance professional growth and development through participation in continued educational programs, current literature, meetings, and trainings.

Strong Critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Microsoft Office – basic skills preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Exhibits interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel. 

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

An ASHP Informatics certification will be required within 18 months for any Pharmacy Informatics Specialist hired prior to November 17, 2023.  Any Pharmacy Informatics Specialist hired after November 17, 2023, an ASHP Informatics certification will be required within 2 years of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Context

• Includes coordinating and leading others, demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating effectively with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Factors

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• May require extended work hours and on-call coverage.

• 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.

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. 
• Is able to do frequent stooping and, on occasion, crouching, crawling or kneeling.  Ability to reach reasonable distance in any direction needed.  Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.  Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Includes infrequent exposure to contaminants, disease, infection and hazardous conditions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment. 

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Normal color vision for those tasks requiring color differentiation.