POSITION SUMMARY

Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for the provision of clinical and operational pharmacy services to optimize safe and effective drug therapy in a variety of clinical settings. The clinical pharmacist assesses patient-specific data to evaluate medication needs, verifies medication orders, and oversees the preparation, dispensing, distribution and monitoring of all medications. Additional activities include providing drug therapy consults, providing patient/family/staff education, facilitating transitions of care and precepting pharmacy students and residents.

Principal Duties:

Clinical Responsibilities:

1. Participates in direct patient care and interdisciplinary rounds by interacting with physicians, nurses, other health care professionals, and patients as a member of an interdisciplinary team on patient care units to guide and recommend appropriate medication use.
2. Participates in focused clinical initiatives as defined by the department (e.g. pharmacokinetic consultation, IV to PO, renal dose adjustment, etc).
3. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to recommend appropriate therapeutic treatment of neonatal, adult, pediatric, adolescent and elderly patients.
4. Monitors assigned patient areas for clinical progress and evaluate pharmacotherapeutic regimens for effectiveness and adverse drug events. Recommends adjustments to therapy as necessary.
5. Handles all clinical requests from assigned units during assigned shift.
6. Documents clinical activities and interventions on a regular basis.
7. Applies effective cost avoidance/saving practices to the operation of the patient-care unit
8. Provides drug information and education to other pharmacy staff and healthcare professionals.
9. Performs and oversees medication reconciliation and medication histories for patients presenting to assigned patient care areas
10. Provide patient/family counseling and education
11. Serves as primary preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students.
12. Assist with departmental orientation for all new employees
13. Responsible for cross coverage in other patient care areas as needed for appropriate levels of clinical support.
14. Accepts any special projects assigned by Manger or Director to assist in departmental efficiency.

Medication Distribution:

1. Understands and follows departmental and hospital policy and procedures related to dispensing of medications
2. Verifies medication orders and/or dispenses medications accurately, safely, and in a timely manner.
3. Follows all department, State, and Federal policies as pertains to the ordering, storage, monitoring, and documentation of controlled substances.
4. Maintains proper storage of all pharmacy products, and oversees the filling of all stock requisitions to assure appropriate handling.
5. Maintains established procedures concerning quality assurance, security of controlled substances, and disposal of hazardous waste drugs.
6. Independently resolves problem medication orders appropriately and in a timely manner.
7. Processes/validates medication orders utilizing current information system technology to create and maintain accurate patient profiles.
8. Directs and supervises the work of technicians to ensure accuracy and safety
9. Checks all products requiring a pharmacist approval prior to dispensing.
10. Maintains proficiency in hospital computer systems and pharmacy automation technology.
11. Completes "Unit Inspections" as assigned to assure that medications are properly stored and handled throughout the Hospital.
12. Coordinates activities and integrates services by working closely with other departments in order to provide comprehensive services. Participation on improvement programs is required.
13. Participates in departmental quality improvement processes such as collecting data for drug use evaluation and reporting/following up on medication incidents and reporting medication adverse events.
14. Fulfills goals set by Manager or Director on department's key performance indicators in the designated patient care areas such as reducing length of stay, drug cost/patient/day, medication delivery, turn-around time, etc.
15. Attends meetings, departmental and hospital staff development programs and provides presentations in-services on pharmacotherapy-related topics as requested by Manager or Director.

Staffing Requirement: Must staff a minimum of 1 shift per pay period and 1 weekend a month.