Clinical Pharmacist - Emergency Medicine/Behavioral Health

Connecticut Children's•Hartford, CT

4h•$58 - $90

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed pharmacist responsible for optimizing drug therapy through therapy design, monitoring, and medication dispensing in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), ACLS, PALS, and USP guidelines. The pharmacist serves as a medication expert, directs pharmacy support staff including technicians, and ensures medication management complies with hospital, state, and federal requirements. The role manages daily pharmacy workload in the hospital Emergency Department and Behavioral Health beds/floor, and may cross-cover as a pharmacist in other hospital departments and the Central Pharmacy as needed. The pharmacist answers general drug questions, attends medical rounds, completes nursing unit inspections, and identifies medication-related issues. The role may also function as a Charge Pharmacist as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy.
State of Connecticut Pharmacist License.
Knowledge of medications, including doses, indications, monitoring parameters, potential risks, contraindications, and drug-drug and drug-disease interactions.
Knowledge of medication preparation and delivery processes.
Knowledge of common disease states affecting pediatric populations, their risks, and treatments.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to use available medication- and disease-related guidelines and resources to answer questions and guide patient therapy.
Teaching and learning skills.
Ability to assess and manage competing priorities appropriately.
Ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment with individuals of varying education, healthcare experience, and licensure.
Ability to show empathy and support others in the work environment.
Clear oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

PharmD degree.
Experience as a Hospital Pharmacist.
Completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency.
Completion of a PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Practice Residency.
Board certification in an area of specialty.
Advanced training or certification in an area of specialty.

Responsibilities

Verify and check prescriptions and medication orders using safe dispensing practices; review orders for accuracy and completeness and evaluate patient-specific factors, adverse drug reaction potential, and drug-drug or drug-disease interactions.
Assess and optimize drug therapy by designing medication therapies to meet patient-specific needs.
Develop, review, assist with, and maintain protocols and regimens with Emergency Department, Behavioral Health, and other department members, following evidence-based practice.
Use the facility formulary whenever possible to support cost-effective care and provide drug information education to patients or caregivers as needed.
Mentor and train pharmacists, interns, residents, and multidisciplinary staff on relevant treatment populations, including medication preparation, treatment, and ongoing monitoring.
Round with the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health care teams and monitor assigned patients through chart review and discussions with patients, families, and healthcare professionals to identify or address drug-therapy needs.
Manage daily pharmacy workload in the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health beds/floor; supervise pharmacy staff during the shift as applicable to ensure safe and accurate medication preparation, dispensing, and delivery and compliance with regulations and SOPs.
Document medication monitoring, medication management, potential adverse drug reactions, and related outcomes in the electronic health record; maintain documentation compliant with state and federal drug control laws.
Inspect medication storage and preparation areas outside the Pharmacy throughout the hospital monthly; raise concerns to nursing and pharmacy leadership.
Identify medication- or operations-related issues requiring remediation and escalate them to the direct manager.
May contribute to adding Behavioral Health therapies or treatment modalities to the formulary through P&T committee work, including presentations, education, and monographs.
May function as a Charge Pharmacist as needed.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.