Clinical Pharmacist

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

10d

About The Position

Clinical Pharmacists provide safe, effective, and efficient comprehensive medication management for specialized patient populations. They deliver direct, patient-centered care and integrated operational pharmacy services in collaboration with physicians, nurses, and other members of the care team. The role includes decentralized clinical practice across specialties such as critical care, neonatal intensive care, oncology, obstetrics, and medical-surgical care, as well as centralized pharmacy staffing, medication distribution, sterile and hazardous compounding, and pharmacy technician oversight. Clinical Pharmacists assess patient needs, account for age- and disease-specific characteristics in drug therapy and education, adjust care based on patient response, and intervene to detect, mitigate, and prevent medication-related problems and adverse events. They contribute to medication safety, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, drug information, medication stewardship, clinical research, and regulatory compliance. They also serve as departmental resources, provide education and training, and precept pharmacy students and residents. The position works rotating day and evening shifts. Every fourth weekend and one summer and one winter holiday are required.

Requirements

Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College of Pharmacy.
B.S. degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
Current pharmacist licensure in the practicing state.
Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency or three years of clinical pharmacy experience.
Knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice and services, comprehensive medication management, and evidence-based medicine in a specialized area appropriate to clinical assignments.
Pharmacist licensure and Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree preferred.
BPS Board Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs.
Facilitate pharmaceutical care, direct patient care programs, and medication-use systems in assigned services and care areas, aligning drug utilization with patient needs, evidence-based practices, and regulatory standards.
Design and implement medication stewardship activities and restriction or surveillance programs.
Track and evaluate pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency and benchmark them against local and national practices.
Identify practice-related issues and facilitate clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, or healthcare provider education to advance practice.
Develop and oversee policies and procedures for drug purchasing, usage, distribution, and control.
Support the integration and expansion of pharmacy services within the healthcare delivery system.
Deliver direct patient care and clinical services, including decentralized and service-based programs, and maintain proficiency in these services.
Work as an active member of multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with healthcare providers to provide patient-centered care.
Identify high-risk patients and implement interventions to improve quality and safety.
Make evidence-based, patient-centered medication recommendations and participate in the management of medical emergencies.
Provide discharge medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate.
Provide pharmaceutical services throughout the medical center and maintain proficiency in hospital computer and medication-ordering systems.
Provide safe, timely, appropriate medication therapy based on patient age and needs.
Monitor patients and review profiles and charts to identify, prevent, or mitigate drug-related problems, including inappropriate drug or dose selection, dosing issues, adverse reactions, interactions, missed medications, untreated indications, medication use without an indication, and treatment failures.
Communicate effectively with healthcare providers and caregivers and ensure continuity of pharmaceutical care between shifts and among staff.
Participate in stewardship activities and restricted medication programs.
Participate in pharmacy operations and medication dispensing, including central and satellite dispensing pharmacies and specialty pharmacy areas as appropriate to the assignment.
Facilitate specialty medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing, including chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, and controlled substances as appropriate to the assignment.
Oversee pharmacy operations and technician practice and activities.
Facilitate experiential education and practice advancement; maintain preceptor proficiency and demonstrate education and mentorship skills.
Develop student, resident, and staff training experiences and competencies, and create teaching and training opportunities.
Identify, design, and implement medication-use system improvements to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs.