Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

Boston Medical Center•Brighton, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The clinical pharmacy specialist is responsible for all aspects of the medication use system in a designated clinical area. This encompasses daily monitoring, assessment and recommendations for pharmacotherapy, interdisciplinary patient care and education to patients and team members. The specialist serves as the subject matter experts in their designated area, collaborating with pharmacy, medical, surgical, nursing and other healthcare professionals, ensuring appropriate pharmaceutical care. Specialist must have strong interpersonal skills. It is expected specialists will participate in the in the training and education of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, technicians, nurses and medical staff. Specialists are expected to work independently, under general supervision, and within the limits of established pharmacy policies and procedures and guidance from the clinical manager. POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to, and under general guidance from, the Clinical Pharmacy Manager, the Pharmacy Clinical Specialist is responsible for all aspects of the medication use system in a designated clinical area. This encompasses daily monitoring, assessment and recommendations for pharmacotherapy, interdisciplinary patient care and education to patients and team members. The specialist serves as the subject matter experts in their designated area, collaborating with pharmacy, medical, surgical, nursing and other healthcare professionals, ensuring appropriate pharmaceutical care. Participates in the training and education of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, technicians, nurses and medical staff.

Requirements

BS in pharmacy or PharmD from an accredited college of pharmacy and completion of PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency or 3+ years working as a clinical pharmacist in direct patient care setting with experience collaborating with physicians, nurses, pharmacy liaisons and other healthcare team members to design patient-centered medication plans, monitor therapeutic outcomes, and provide evidence-based clinical recommendations.
Licensed to practice as a Pharmacist in Massachusetts by the hire date.
BLS/ACLS required
Must be able to collaborate and effectively communicate with medical staff, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals.

Nice To Haves

PGY2 Training in designated practice area
Board of Pharmaceutical Specialty certification in specialty area required within 1 year of hire if not present.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements and maintains departmental policies and procedures related to safe & appropriate use of medications.
Participates in daily patient care rounds in a designated practice area (cardiology, critical care, infectious disease, emergency medicine) and provides drug information and consultation with physicians, pharmacists and nurses regarding appropriate drug therapy and facilitates the drug ordering process.
Evaluates all drug therapy for appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions and allergies; monitors patients’ regimen for effectiveness & adverse drug events and intervenes as appropriate.
Reviews the completeness and accuracy of medication profiles.
Reconciles and updates profiles as required.
Monitors the prescribing and use of high-risk medications, ensuring safe & appropriate use.
Acts as a liaison between pharmacy, nursing and medical staff to educate health professionals regarding current drug-related procedures, policies, guidelines and pathways.
Identifies adverse drug events and participates in event reporting system & assist in management, prevention and development of process improvements to reduce drug errors and preventable ADEs.
Participate in code blue response related to designated areas.
Provide patient education during and prior to discharge as appropriate.
Identifies opportunities for cost savings and optimal medication use to ensure appropriate patient selection for high-cost agents.
Participated in multidisciplinary committees at the institution and health system level. (Pharmacy & Therapeutics and practice area specific committees as needed.)
Maintain individual portfolio demonstrating specialist level work to be reviewed annually.
Serves as a preceptor to pharmacy students from local schools of pharmacy and PGY1 and PGY2 residents in designated practice areas
Serve on Residency Advisory Committee
Participate in department activities aimed at professional development for all staff members including clinical pharmacists, technicians, residents and students.
Advise trainees and clinical pharmacists in projects including but not limited to: medication use evaluation, research, continuing education, in-services, lectures etc.
Provide lectures for pharmacy, nursing and medical staff as needed focused on practice specific areas.