Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

HCA Healthcare • Houston, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Clinical Pharmacist practices pharmacy according to the profession’s ethical standards and the organization’s mission and values. The role is responsible for the safe, effective, evidence-based, and cost-effective selection and use of medications, applying advanced knowledge, skills, and professional judgment. The pharmacist advocates for patients while planning and implementing pharmaceutical care as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborates with other healthcare professionals. The position leads pharmacy services at the hospital, including committee work, education, conference presentations, and contributions to publications, and is responsible for one or more specialty services, such as infectious disease, critical care, or pediatrics. Regulatory compliance and medication safety are central to the role.

The pharmacist leads medication-related committees and directs pharmacy services for assigned clinical service lines. They provide formal education, mentor students, residents, and colleagues, and contribute to advancing pharmacy practice. Clinical duties include reviewing and verifying medication orders; preparing and dispensing medications, including sterile, chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition preparations; assessing medication regimens and nutrition therapy; managing drug therapy protocols; advising on antimicrobial therapy; responding to drug-information questions; and communicating with patients, families, and care teams. The pharmacist documents interventions, supports medication safety and quality improvement, participates in rounds and staff education, and supervises pharmacy support personnel. They maintain licensure and professional competence, pursue relevant certification and development, and protect confidential information while using pharmacy and clinical technology safely.

The position is with The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, a 420-plus-bed hospital in Houston focused on women’s and children’s health. Benefits are subject to eligibility and may vary by location.

Requirements

• B.S. or Pharm.D. degree in Pharmacy.
• Current pharmacist licensure.
• Pharmacist board certification.
• Maintain competence required for the current job title and position.
• Strictly maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA Privacy Rule standards.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate of an accredited PGY-1 residency program.
• Graduate of an accredited PGY-2 residency program.
• Five years of inpatient hospital experience.
• Three years of HCA inpatient hospital experience.
• Certifications in specialties determined by facility needs; potential certifications include SIDP, MAD-ID, and CPPS.
• Pursue board certification or other training or certification for the clinical area of expertise, based on job role.
• Participation in pharmacy organizations and pursuit of research, publication, and speaking opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead committees responsible for establishing and implementing medication-related policies and procedures, including Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Medication Safety, and Antimicrobial Management Program committees.
• Direct one or more pharmacy service lines, such as cardiovascular, pediatrics, or critical care.
• Demonstrate pharmacy leadership through documented improvements and contributions to pharmacy practice, and advance the profession in the area of expertise.
• Provide regular, formal education to pharmacy and interdisciplinary teams; mentor and encourage pharmacy students, residents, and colleagues.
• Perform clinical pharmacist responsibilities, including verifying computerized physician order entry orders for accuracy and appropriateness and intervening on unclear, unsafe, or inappropriate orders.
• Interpret verbal and written medication orders, accurately enter them into computerized medication profiles, document in the medical record, and clarify centralized order entry orders as appropriate.
• Safely and accurately prepare and dispense medications, including sterile, chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition preparations, following appropriate techniques and USP 797 and 800 guidelines.
• Evaluate total parenteral nutrition for appropriateness under facility policies, guidelines, or ASPEN recommendations.
• Issue controlled substances to patient-care areas, maintain legally required records, and follow applicable corporate policies and procedures.
• Ensure medication therapies are safe, appropriate, evidence-based, and cost-effective, and monitor regimens for contraindications, interactions, allergies, dosing, indications, and therapeutic duplication.
• Develop, assist with, implement, and execute drug therapy management protocols, including pharmacokinetics, anticoagulation dosing, IV-to-oral conversion, pain management, antimicrobial stewardship, and pharmacy-directed dosing.
• Review culture and susceptibility data and recommend antibiotic changes for drug-bug mismatches, de-escalation, and duration of therapy.
• Read and interpret patient charts; detect and report suspected adverse drug reactions and medication errors; share good catches and clinical outcomes; and review medication-related events to prevent recurrence.
• Support formulary compliance, SKU reduction, and medication-shortage management through drug therapy modifications as applicable.
• Respond to patient-specific drug-information questions from clinicians; provide medication information to patients and families; and perform applicable medication reconciliation.
• Review and complete CPW rules and alerts promptly; use Vigilanz/CPW to document clinical interventions; and ensure communication and documentation in the permanent electronic health record as required.
• Document required double checks according to facility practice.
• Participate in quality improvement and medication-use review activities, collect data, conduct quality monitors and inspections, and maintain assigned logs and records.
• Participate in rounds or follow up directly with providers through in-person, phone, or written communication as appropriate.
• Participate in nursing, physician, or ancillary team onboarding and staff meetings to explain clinical pharmacy services and educate staff about new drugs or updated guidelines.
• Supervise and direct pharmacy support personnel, verify pharmacy technicians’ daily activities, and participate in their performance appraisals.
• Maintain current pharmacist licensure and job-related competence; pursue board certification or other training or certification relevant to the clinical area.
• Participate in local or national pharmacy organizations and pursue research, publication, and speaking opportunities.
• Attend orientation, education, and training programs and review materials relevant to pharmacy practice.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient, visitor, and employee information and comply with HIPAA Privacy Rule standards.
• Use automated systems and granted ASDS-Pyxis/Meditech access and privileges; promote technology safety functions and educate staff to avoid workarounds.
• Perform other assigned duties and adhere to the Code of Conduct and Mission and Value Statement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine benefits.
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
• Paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage, and leaves of absence.
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay based on years of service, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling.
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.
• Fertility and family-building benefits and adoption assistance.
• Life insurance and supplemental health protection plans.
• Auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior