Provides specialized clinical pharmacy services in the delivery of pharmacotherapeutics or pharmacokinetics in specialized medical care areas; designs, implements and conducts medication usage evaluations; delivers drug information and drug education services. CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS: Positions allocable to this class receive administrative and technical direction from a Pharmacy Supervisor or Pharmacy Services Chief. These positions are characterized by their full-time clinical responsibility in the delivery of patient-specific pharmacotherapeutic or pharmacokinetic services in specialized medical care areas. Clinical Pharmacists work closely with healthcare providers and other medical personnel in monitoring, developing, recommending, and establishing drug therapy treatment plans which is an integral part of the medical treatment and medical needs of the patients. Incumbents serve as key resource specialists to professional and non-professional staff and provide drug consultation and advice on drug interactions, contra-interactions, incompatible drug combinations, adverse reactions, and changes in drug therapy or appropriate usage. Positions in this class may perform other specialized clinical pharmacy services on a full-time basis, such as medication usage evaluation and cost containment analysis, development of quality control indicators and monitoring of adverse drug reaction programs, development and dissemination of drug information services, clinical laboratory evaluations and patient physical assessment as a mid-level provider, and development and implementation of educational services for patients/families and/or healthcare providers. Incumbents must independently exercise an advanced, expert level of knowledge and skill in pharmaceutical care to provide the most specialized clinical pharmacy services, characteristically gained through advanced education and training in a complex area of specialization. Participates in the development and continual monitoring of patient drug therapy treatment plans and patient outcomes in clinical specialty programs. Performs patient assessments and monitors the effects of drug therapy using clinical symptoms, evaluating laboratory data, performance of point-of-care tests and other relevant clinical diagnostic techniques. Attends rounds and medical case conferences with physicians to evaluate patient drug therapy regimens. Interviews patients to obtain information regarding drug use, drug allergies and sensitivities, and medication histories; assesses compliance and counsels patients on appropriate drug use. Participates in ongoing medication usage evaluation programs by assisting in the establishment of criteria for cost effectiveness/control utilization use, process indicators, and monitoring parameters; conducts evaluations to determine compliance to the established medication use evaluation criteria; summarizes results and submits recommendations to the Pharmacy Chief or the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and assists in establishing drug monographs. Participates in the establishment of critical pathways to ensure optimal medication usage. Provides comprehensive drug information services for healthcare providers and patients, including developing pharmaceutical newsletters, patient education materials, and assessment and evaluation of formulary requests to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Designs and conducts in-service and educational programs regarding drug therapy for healthcare providers, pharmacists, and students on a variety of health related services. Critically analyzes, evaluates, and prepares recommendations of medical literature in relation to medication therapy and derive treatment protocols or treatment guidelines. Interprets and applies pharmacokinetic drug data in recommendations for patient-specific drug dosage regimen; formulates individualized drug regimens based on patient specific parameters, patient diagnosis, concurrent disease states, pharmacokinetics, pharmacoeconomics, and the patient's condition. Advises and assists in implementing cost containment strategies for the usage of pharmaceutical products. Reviews journals and periodicals and meets with pharmaceutical product specialists to discuss current market conditions, managed care implications, disease state management, and obtain information to implement cost containment strategies and develop therapeutic outcome studies. Participates in quality improvement, quality assurance and performance improvement activities to ensure optimal pharmaceutical care. Perform root-cause-analysis for medication errors and derive prevention plan through the use of function in EHR system, technologies and medication of behaviors and workflows. Review, analyze, synthesize, present and publish pharmacy formulary decisions and information. Generates and analyze clinical dashboard and screen appropriate patients for clinical pharmacist referrals. Derives and manage medication treatment therapy for patients through prescribing, modifying and discontinuing medications. Provides pharmacy informatics and technology input and assist with various pharmacy or medication process system testing. Dispense medication as necessary. Perform inspections of medication storage rooms or areas.