The posting
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the general direction of the Systems Director Pharmacy, is responsible for all aspects of dispensing, compounding, labeling, storage, patient and staff education, and proper usage of pharmaceutical preparations. Verifies physician orders or provides entry of prescription orders into the electronic medical record. Provides Clinical Pharmacy services per established protocol and policies. Collaborates and contributes to patient’s care plan with documented interventions and notes. Coordinates safe transition of care to or from the hospital with patient, caregivers, other institutions, providers and Pharmacies. Maintains appropriate patient record documentation for clinical and distributive services provided. Adheres to best practices for medication safety that promote safe and effective use of medication within the Organization. Monitors the patients’ drug therapy to ensure that each medication ordered is safe and appropriate for the patient. Responds to clinical codes or emergencies. Responsible for supervision, training and inspection of all work performed by Technicians and Students. Precepts Students or Residents. Exhibits the F.I.R.S.T. values (Friendliness, Innovation, Respect, Service, and Trust).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides medication order entry or order verification of computerized physician order entry. Clarifies orders which are unclear, contain unapproved abbreviations, illegible, ambiguous or which seem inappropriate for the patient.
- Contributes to development of evidence based order sets and protocols which promote quality care outcomes and patient safety. Adheres to departmental, Organizational and patient care policy and procedures. Promotes and adopts best practices into professional practice.
- Compounds, labels and dispenses medications per authorizing order from licensed independent provider or approved medical staff standing order or protocol. Demonstrates competency in admixture of non-sterile, sterile, parenteral and hazardous products. Appropriately manages hazardous waste.
- Delivers medications to the nursing stations and other departments as required. This position is authorized to gain entry into medication rooms and have access to medications within the scope of their essential job description.
- Monitors use of medications to ensure optimal quality of patient care. Screens for interactions, suboptimal therapy, dosage adjustments, contraindications. Completes documentation of Clinical Pharmacy interventions in the patient medical record and communicates care plan or recommendations to physician or referring provider.
- Evaluates and reports adverse events, medication occurrences, patient or Associate safety concerns or drug diversion. Provides peer feedback to peers or direct reports related to errors or safety concerns. Reports concerns to supervisor or Director timely.
- Maintains compliance with Joint Commission, national and state legislative regulations related to medication management: prescribing, procurement, storage, dispensing, administration, monitoring of adverse effects or medication occurrences, patient and Associate education on medications, transport, and waste of medications.
- Administers medications based on authorizing order from licensed independent provider or established protocol within scope of practice as defined by state regulations.
- Participates in Organizational and departmental quality initiatives and performance improvement projects which impact patient safety and clinical outcomes. Completes medication use evaluation studies or data collection as assigned. Serves on appointed patient care, patient safety goal and/or quality improvement teams.
- Provides appropriate supervision and directs utilization of resources efficiently. Adheres to established inventory control and ordering processes, billing procedures and staffing metrics. Complies with inventory and eligibility components of the 340b program.
- Supervises Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Interns to ensure safe and efficient operations. Models and coaches professional and clinical attributes as they perform assigned Clinical Staff Pharmacist responsibilities to Pharmacy Students and Residents.
- Performs medication reconciliation upon admission, transfer and discharge to promote safe continuity of care. Demonstrates willingness to coordinate continuity of care and work on clinical and transition projects with other EMRMC Associates to effectively provide safe transition of care.
- Contributes to operational effectiveness of the Pharmacy by adhering to established formulary and administering therapeutic substitutions as permitted by protocol.
- Provides Clinical Pharmacy consults for appropriate dosing, monitoring and drug selection per approved Organizational protocols, order sets or collaborative practice agreements that are within the defined scope of practice. Interprets and adjusts medication regimens based on interpretation of clinical data and patient clinical condition to effectively and safely manage patient’s medical conditions within scope of practice or protocol.
- Contributes to the efficient communications of the department. Models professional behavior and communication with customers and coworkers to resolve conflict. Provides performance related feedback to direct reports, peers, supervisors, Students or Residents in a professional manner.
- Demonstrates commitment to professional accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills. Maintains commitment to technical and professional growth and competency.
- Contributes to the effective operations of the Organization by demonstrating dependability in job performance.
- Contributes to the achievement of the mission and philosophy of the Organization. Adheres to established Pharmacy Team expectations for success. Supports departmental and Organizational initiatives.
- Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (Dignity, respect, information sharing and participation).
- Promotes safe medication use by adherence to patient safety initiatives and processes.
- Considers the age of the patient served, applies knowledge of growth and development and age specific techniques through the life span (neonates/infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients) in planning and implementing care.
- Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation).
- Performs medication reconciliation upon admission, transfer or discharge to assure safe medication use and continuity of care.
- Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS, HAZARDS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Limited office and storage space; small work area. Must be attentive to detail. Stress from deadlines and strict regulations. May be involved in the preparation and delivery of chemotherapy agents. Must be able to move or position 25 lbs. independently. May be exposed to blood or body fluids during code responses. Involves the handling, preparation, and disposal of hazardous medications that could pose reproductive risks to those of child bearing age.
CONTACTS WITH OTHERS:
In addition to working with other Pharmacy Associates, will interact regularly with nursing Associates, Physicians, and other clinical and ancillary hospital Associates.
Must have sufficient experience in all areas of hospital Pharmacy to successfully fulfill the responsibilities of the position. PGY1 Residency training or three (3) years experience as a Clinical Pharmacist in an acute care hospital setting is preferred. Experience in precepting Pharmacy Students and Residents is beneficial.
Hospital Pharmacy experience with IV admixture, code response, kinetic dosing, automated dispensing cabinets and computer experience highly recommended.
