Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – OPAT Program

University Hospitals•Cleveland, OH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH CMC) is seeking a highly motivated Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to join our Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team. This role will help development and implementation of an OPAT program for UH Cleveland Medical Center, a strategic initiative designed to improve patient outcomes by safely managing patients requiring prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy in the outpatient setting. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will serve as a subject matter expert in antimicrobial therapy and OPAT management, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to optimize care transitions and reduce complications, readmissions, and healthcare utilization.

Requirements

Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy (Required)
Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph) in the State of Ohio (Required)
Must demonstrate highly effective written and oral communication skills (Required proficiency)
Strong clinical knowledge of antimicrobial therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring
Excellent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
Ability to analyze clinical data and make evidence-based recommendations
Interest in program development and quality improvement

Nice To Haves

Completion of an ASHP accredited residency/residencies or 3-5 years of experience in the practice area.
less than 1 year Experience as a pharmacist with training in drug therapy of diseases including the knowledge and application of clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and pharmaceutics to patients, training in cost analysis/cost evaluation techniques
Training or experience in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy
Experience with antimicrobial stewardship or outpatient therapy management preferred
Computer systems skills in spreadsheet, database and word processing (Preferred proficiency)

Responsibilities

Serve as a clinical expert in antimicrobial stewardship and OPAT management
Collaborate closely with Infectious Diseases physicians, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), and RN coordinators
Provide prospective review of OPAT laboratory data, particularly for high-risk therapies (e.g., vancomycin)
Recommend and implement antimicrobial dosing adjustments and therapy modifications
Support transitions of care for patients discharging on IV antimicrobial therapy
Contribute to system-wide OPAT workflows, protocols, and quality initiatives
Review and interpret OPAT related labs and clinical data to ensure safe therapy
Optimize antimicrobial dosing, monitoring, and duration of therapy
Identify and mitigate adverse drug events and line-related complications
Collaborate with APPs to implement therapy changes and patient management plans
Participate in multidisciplinary OPAT care coordination and case review
Contribute to development of policies, guidelines, and best practices
Document clinical interventions and outcomes
Participate in medication safety, stewardship, and quality improvement initiatives
Serve as a resource for pharmacists and healthcare providers across the system
Provide Clinical Pharmacy Services (drug information, drug therapy monitoring, patient specific consultations, healthcare staff education, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomic evaluations in selected patient populations)
Investigate/research/report adverse drug reactions
Participate in Medication Safety and Therapeutics (MS&T) Committee process: evaluate requests for new drug usage and old formulary drug relevance and review therapeutic classes for relevance, assist in maintaining and updating the system formulary
Serve as an informational and patient problem solving resource for Clinical Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals
Provide continuing education to Clinical Pharmacist staff
Documentation of clinical activities
Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students
Actively participate in local and system committees and workgroups pertaining to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist’s area of expertise
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with all policies and standards.
Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.