Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Primary Care

BMC Software•Boston, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Clinical Coordinator/Ambulatory Associate Director and according to department policies, procedures, and guidelines, this role is responsible for providing the highest level of patient and customer care to patients undergoing treatment at the medical center. The Clinical Specialist will also be working under the clinical supervision of the primary care medical director. The specialist ensures optimum patient-related outcomes for primary care clinic patients by preventing or resolving drug-related issues and optimizing drug therapy. They provide drug information to patients, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The role is integrally involved in the education of pharmacists, residents, and students. Additionally, the Clinical Specialist coordinates clinical projects, assists with formulary coordination and policy revisions, ensures billing compliance and revenue capture, and helps lead other projects as needed. The specialist serves as a resource and drug expert for all primary care-related medications and strives to increase knowledge through research and writing activities. They work collaboratively with all specialty area nurses, fellows, and attendings toward optimizing patient outcomes, with an added focus on improving population health activities important to institutional goals and mission. The ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist will be responsible for providing primary care-focused pharmacotherapy services within the clinic, and evaluate and manage patients with chronic conditions (e.g., DM, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, COPD/Asthma, Heart Failure, Smoking Cessation) through direct patient care as outlined in the individual’s Scope of Practice. The specialist will work closely within a multi-disciplinary team of primary care physicians, medical residents, nurses, and pharmacy liaisons to optimize and promote rational, safe, evidence-based, and cost-effective therapy. The ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist is responsible for working with patients to identify strengths and barriers and to develop an individualized, patient-centered pharmacotherapy care plan.

Requirements

Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited college of pharmacy
Massachusetts pharmacist license in good standing or ability to obtain prior to start date
Either Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) certification OR Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy (CCP) recognized certification (except BLS, ACLS, or PALS) pertinent to the area of clinical practice is required or obtained after initial start date per credentialing requirements.
Completion of a PGY1 pharmacy residency program with ambulatory focus or PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency or equivalent years of experience in ambulatory care.
Comprehensive understanding of the procedures, systems, and equipment used by pharmacists and technicians in the pharmacy as well as a high level of proficiency in performing pharmacist’s duties and responsibilities.
High level of analytical ability, organizational and personal management skill and focus to ensure the concerted approach to operations.
Professional in conduct and appearance.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Able to maintain professional boundaries.
Ability to work with diverse, safety-net population.
Skilled at motivational interviewing, patient engagement and setting patient-centered goals.
Creative problem solver.
Ability to adapt to changes in healthcare delivery at local and systems level.
Extensive knowledge of healthcare systems and community resources.
Ability to leverage systems and resources for improved patient outcomes.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Proficient with standard software used in healthcare office setting (i.e. MS Word, Excel, web browser, etc.)

Nice To Haves

Direct patient care in ambulatory practice
Clinical management of primary-care based chronic diseases

Responsibilities

Takes an active role in the development and implementation of quality improvement projects
Maintains own professional and specialized competency through continued education.
Attends and participates in department staff development conferences or other activities related to staff development.
Maintains certification for good clinical practice and human subject protection
Assists with formulary management (e.g., drug monographs, MUEs, medication guidelines)
Participate in the up keeping and build of new and existing order sets and operational and clinical efficiencies in EPIC
In all activities comply with accreditation, legal and regulatory requirements.
Maintains HIPAA standards and confidentiality of protected health information.
Adheres to departmental/organizational policies and procedures.
Meets hospital-wide standards in the following areas: Conforms to standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
Utilizes hospital’s Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission.
Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures
Develops goals for each fiscal year based on the institutional scorecard and under the guidance of Clinical Coordinator
Identifies opportunities for the development of new care management approaches
Precepts pharmacy residents and students and participates in the orientation and cross-training of pharmacists
Performs other duties as needed.
Monitor patients for appropriateness and response to therapy
Document pertinent findings in the electronic medical record
Develop, document, and execute a patient-centered plan of care utilizing national guidelines or established local protocol
Provide ongoing care for chronic problems as delineated in protocol
Order laboratory studies
Analyze laboratory and diagnostic test data so as to modify drug therapy and dosing as necessary
Identify and take specific corrective action for drug-induced problems
Notify primary provider regarding atypical findings
Provides effective transition of care needs including, but not limited to, medication reconciliation and completing post-discharge phone calls
Provides drug education and counseling to patients as outlined in department policies and procedures
Provides in-service education to nurses, physicians and other healthcare practitioners, as needed.