Pharmacist - Medication Safety Officer

Conifer Health Solutions•Palm Springs, CA

About The Position

The Medication Safety Officer (MSO) is a detail-oriented pharmacist who promotes safe and high-quality medication use across the acute care setting. MSO Pharmacist plays a vital role in identifying system vulnerabilities, driving performance improvement initiatives, and collaborating closely with frontline clinicians to enhance patient safety. MSO Pharmacist serves as a clinical and operational resource for medication-related safety practices while leading data analysis, event review, and the development of system-wide safety strategies. Furthermore, MSO Pharmacist uses critical thinking skills and exercises independent decision-making as needed for the provision of safe and rational medication therapy. In addition, the MSO Pharmacist works to uphold all department-related policies and procedures with close attention to medication management duties mandated by the Joint Commission and applicable regulations.

Requirements

Has a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree from an ACPE-accredited university (may consider RPh with extensive work experience)
Possesses a valid CA pharmacist’s license (maintain current at all times)
Has a minimum of two (2) years of hospital pharmacy experience, equivalent clinical practice experience such as PGY1 residency, medication safety related role, or leadership/management role.
Current American Heart Association BLS or within 30 days of hire (maintain current at all times)

Nice To Haves

PGY2 Residency in Medication Safety, Pharmacy Administration, Pharmacy Informatics, or related specialty.
Experience with medication event reporting systems (e.g., RL6, MIDAS, Quantros).
Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma, performance improvement tools, and safety science principles.
Strong communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project management skills.
Proficient with Cerner, Omnicell, and familiar with Microsoft applications ie: Word, Excel

Responsibilities

Leads root cause analyses, failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs), and medication event investigations.
Monitors and trends medication safety data using internal and external reporting systems.
Identifies at-risk processes and implements strategies to reduce medication errors and adverse drug events.
Works closely with the pharmacy director and managers, in any capacity, to facilitate medication safety-related initiatives.
Analyzes utilization metrics, safety trends, and performance indicators.
Designs and implements an appropriate pharmacotherapeutic plan to address the identified problem(s).
Oversees the Medication Safety Committee and revises Medication Error Reduction Plan (MERP) dashboard based on medication error trends.
Effectively communicates with colleagues, physicians, nurses, hospital leadership, and other members of the healthcare team to optimize medication-use workflows and improve patient safety.
Evaluates and updates ordersets, smart pump libraries, automated dispensing cabinet configurations, and EHR decision support when deemed appropriate.
Collaborates with pharmacy informatics on implementing and validating medication-use technology.
Supports safe transitions of care and implements best practices for high-risk medications.
Maintains knowledge of hospital pharmacy operations to include but not limited inventory and drug shortages.
Demonstrates independent leadership and professionalism with respect to the oversight of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and pharmacy interns.
Contributes to department research/project for both pharmacy students and residents.
Staffs main pharmacy at a minimum of two (2) shifts per month, or as needed at the discretion of the pharmacy director or manager.
Develops and updates medication safety policies, protocols, guidelines, and standardized procedures.
Provides education and training to clinical staff on safe medication practices.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, USP, ISMP, California Board of Pharmacy, and other regulatory/benchmarking standards.
Actively contributes to the value of The Pharmacy Team by helping peers and co-workers to improve services with education, comments, suggestions, and a positive attitude.