Clinical Pharmacist - Med/Surg, Unit Based

Overview

The Clinical Pharmacist – Med/Surg- Unit Based will provide collaborative pharmaceutical care to patients on their units.  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.

The Clinical Pharmacist shall, according to standard procedure: 1.) Facilitate the delivery of clinical services and the resolution of unresolved problems related to clinical and distributive 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.) Be responsible for preparing and dispensing medications and pharmaceutical supplies to inpatients and outpatients of all ages upon receiving medication orders from providers; 4) Enhance the delivery of the clinical pharmacy services through the development of a personal clinical practice and education of the pharmacy students/residents and new employees.

Responsibilities

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

Develop and maintain an area of clinical expertise in practice area. Staffs in a patient care area providing order entry and clinical pharmacy services.

Routinely rounds with multidisciplinary team and contributes to care of patients in aspects related to medication usage. Maintains clinical skills knowledge to cross cover for other areas.

Supports clinical services/programs, including Pharmacokinetics, Automatic Renal Dosing, IV to PO Conversion Program and pharmacist’s order entry assessment.

Monitors patient drug therapy for patients in the clinical practice area to ensure efficacious, safe, and cost effective drug therapy.

Provides drug information to physicians, staff, and co-workers through direct contact, committee participation and quarterly staff educational programs.

Promotes rational and economic drug use through professional interactions with the medical staff and medical staff committees.

Monitors the medication use process on a routine basis and reports inconsistencies to improve mediation safety within the hospital.

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.

Maintains a clinical pharmacy rotation for students/residents or assists other preceptors.  Provides immediate, direct supervision by process defined by leadership to unlicensed pharmacy students and interns.

Maintains professional performance and behavior. Positively contributes to patient and employee satisfaction. - 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. - 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

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 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:

• S. or PharmD. Degree required, with
  • Completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 Residency or
  • Minimum of 3 years’ relevant hospital staff experience or
  • Completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 Residency and a PGY2 Residency in relevant area (such as Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Infectious Disease, Pharmacotherapy)
• Experience precepting pharmacy students and/or residents

BPS certification (BCPS), or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of employment, is 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.

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.