Clinical Pharmacist Lead-Medication History Services, Full-time Rotating

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist Lead reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values, adheres to its Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and follows applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. Under the direction of the Pharmacy Practice Coordinator and Manager Pharmacy, the role helps facilitate daily operations and quality service within designated practice areas. The lead serves as an advocate and resource for pharmacy staff and works closely with pharmacy leadership.

For Medication History Services, the lead is the primary contact and resource for medication history technicians. The role supports technician staffing, scheduling, coverage, onboarding, training, competency assessment, and ongoing education related to best possible medication histories (BPMHs) and pharmacist clinical interventions. It helps maintain program standards and goals, conducts quality-control activities, supports improvement efforts, and assists with program metric collection, validation, analysis, and reporting. The lead collaborates with pharmacy, nursing, and provider colleagues to resolve workflow issues and advance medication history and reconciliation practices.

The role also supports regulatory compliance and pharmacy services, including medication preparation, distribution, and control; implementation of technology and services that improve patient care, safety, and economic outcomes; workflow improvement; and team-based patient care. It serves as a first-line escalation resource, supports staff development and trainees, helps implement medication-safety and quality initiatives, and facilitates education and training for pharmacy personnel.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited college of Pharmacy with a Bachelor’s or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Licensed Clinical Pharmacist in Illinois.
• At least 2 years of experience as a Clinical Pharmacist; experience in a health care institution is preferred.
• Experience managing operations, personnel, quality functions, and the professional aspects of pharmacy practice.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with internal and external customers at all levels.

Nice To Haves

• At least 3 years of pharmacy experience in a health care institution.
• Completion of an accredited Pharmacy Residency.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact and resource for medication history technicians.
• Lead medication history technician huddles to communicate operational priorities, address workflow concerns, reinforce program standards, and support team engagement.
• Assist Clinical Coordinators and the Manager with recruitment for medication history technicians.
• Assist Clinical Coordinators with management of the medication history technician schedule and facilitate coverage arrangements for call-offs and other staffing gaps.
• Assist with technician onboarding, training, competency assessment, and ongoing education related to BPMHs and pharmacist clinical interventions.
• Support the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of the medication history program and help achieve established program goals.
• Participate in quality-control activities, review histories, identify improvement opportunities, and implement program changes as appropriate.
• Assist with collection, validation, analysis, and reporting of medication history program metrics.
• Collaborate with Clinical Practice Coordinators, the Manager, pharmacists, technicians, nursing, and providers to resolve workflow issues and advance medication history and reconciliation practices.
• Facilitate compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, statutes, and regulations governing pharmacy practice; support regulatory compliance in designated practice areas.
• Assist with implementing and maintaining pharmacy services integral to Northwestern Medicine’s care delivery systems.
• Support the use of new technology and pharmacy services intended to improve patient care, patient safety, and economic outcomes.
• Fulfill the responsibilities and qualifications of a Clinical Pharmacist, including assisting with daily preparation, distribution, and control of medications, including investigational medications.
• Work with the Practice Coordinator to improve patient care and workflow efficiencies.
• Work alongside frontline pharmacy staff to ensure medications are appropriately provided to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes consistent with patient parameters and disease states.
• Work cooperatively with pharmacists to oversee and direct work-area activities, assign work to technicians, and support departmental objectives.
• Facilitate team-based approaches to patient-care problem solving and service delivery; serve as the first-line escalation resource.
• Use persuasive, assertive, and sensitive communication to influence professional and technical colleagues.
• Support talent development in technical and clinical positions and assist the Practice Coordinator with schedule management, coverage arrangements, and productivity based on patient care.
• Support trainees, including fellows, residents, and students, and foster high morale and staff engagement.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert between the pharmacy department and other disciplines and assist the Practice Coordinator in meeting organizational goals.
• Assist with implementation of medication-safety initiatives in hospital and outpatient settings.
• Participate in and support medication-use quality initiatives through NM committees, including Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees, and contribute to quality initiatives identified in the annual quality plan.
• Support evidence-based medicine through staff education, participation in collaborative practice agreements, and policy creation.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluating policies and practices and suggest operational changes.
• Participate actively in ASHP-accredited post-graduate pharmacy training.
• Assist in coordinating technical and pharmacist staff participation in educational programming and provide or facilitate training for new Clinical Pharmacists.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• Lifecycle benefits
• A range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

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