Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (Full Time, Days)

Nicklaus Children's Hospital•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist provides patient-care recommendations on pharmacotherapy, drug interactions, dosing, guideline-directed therapies, and medication-regimen optimization to improve outcomes and reduce adverse-event risk. The specialist works with clinicians to optimize drug therapy for hospitalized pediatric patients through evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management and participation in interdisciplinary rounds. The role also provides education and counseling to patients and caregivers; trains pharmacy students, pharmacy and medical residents, nursing staff, and other medical staff; and supports pharmacists, technicians, and hospital and medical staff. The specialist accurately interprets, dispenses, prepares, and processes medication orders in accordance with hospital policies, professional standards, and state and federal laws and regulations. The position works under the general supervision of the Director of Pharmacy and department operations and clinical supervisory staff. It includes clinical pharmacy services, medication management, quality improvement, medication-use review, formulary management, pharmacoeconomic work, and professional advancement through publications, presentations, and community education.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
Eligible for or hold a Florida Pharmacist License and maintain it active and in good standing throughout employment.
American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, maintained active and in good standing throughout employment.
4–7 years of hospital experience as a pediatric pharmacist, or PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency in a pediatric setting, or PGY-2 Pediatric Residency.
Knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacotherapeutic properties of medications as they relate to pediatric patients.
Ability to assess patient-care conditions and evaluate patient responses to medication-therapy regimens.
Ability to communicate and present information effectively in oral and written form to hospital personnel at all levels and patient groups.
Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary setting and serve as a liaison between pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff.
Ability to monitor drug therapy and intervene as needed on dosing, interactions, adverse effects, and monitoring.
Ability to interpret medication orders and medication-profile lists and oversee medication distribution.
Problem-solving and analytical-thinking ability.
Ability to provide supervisory oversight for technical staff involved in medication preparation and dispensing.
Ability to troubleshoot in a timely manner, including weekends and holidays.
Ability to work cooperatively and constructively with patients, coworkers, clinical and medical staff, and interdisciplinary teams.
Motivated and self-directed, with a high degree of professional accountability.
Proficiency in PC applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with Cerner, PyxisES, C2Safe, Baxa TPN Dose Edge, MILT4, Lexicomp, Vigilanz, and PC desktop systems, or equivalent pharmacy systems.

Responsibilities

Monitor and document drug therapy and interventions involving medication dosing and administration, interactions, monitoring, and adverse reactions.
Participate in clinical pharmacy programs and services and serve as a consultant in areas of expertise.
Attend and contribute to daily patient-care rounds, clinical services meetings, committees, task forces, and projects, including protocol and pathway development, order-set development and optimization, cost-savings initiatives, and quality initiatives.
Apply established policies, procedures, and protocols to support safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapy, and recommend therapeutic alternatives to medical staff as needed.
Document quality activities and meet accreditation, institutional, state, and federal requirements involving interventions, adverse reactions, medication errors, contraindications, interactions, allergies, and appropriateness of drugs and doses.
Maintain competency in the safe use of pharmacy and hospital clinical information systems.
Provide drug information and education to pharmacy staff, hospital clinical staff, medical residents, medical staff, patients, and families.
Perform assigned Staff Clinical Pharmacist duties for medication management.
Develop quality-improvement projects and participate in departmental quality-improvement and medication-use-review activities.
Precept and educate pharmacy residents and pharmacy students.
Prepare and collect data for medication-use evaluations, drug monographs for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and projects assigned by the Clinical Manager.
Support multidisciplinary committees, including the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, by developing materials for clinical evaluation of drugs, procedures, and processes and coordinating and reporting adverse drug reactions, pharmacist interventions, and other quality initiatives within areas of responsibility.
Achieve cost-savings targets, contribute to pharmacoeconomic efforts and formulary management, and assist department leadership in maintaining budget targets.
Advance the profession through publications, presentations at local, state, or national meetings, and community education.