Pharmacy Specialist - Interventional Pain Clinic

University of Arkansas System • Little Rock, AR

23d

About The Position

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity. We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans. UAMS offers amazing benefits and perks (available for benefits eligible positions only): Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only) Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000 Career Training and Educational Opportunities Merchant Discounts Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button. The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].
The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for Ambulatory Care – Pain Management will provide consultative assistance to providers and interdisciplinary teams regarding the safe, effective, and evidence-based use of analgesic medications. The CPS will manage and titrate adjuvant pain therapies, evaluate opioid regimens, and ensure compliance with UAMS, DEA, and state regulations regarding controlled substance prescribing and monitoring. The CPS will provide pharmacotherapy expertise in both chronic pain and opioid stewardship, including evaluation of urine drug screens, naloxone prescribing, and adherence to controlled substance agreements. The pharmacist will collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans, make recommendations for opioid titrations and tapers, and identify and manage medication-related problems. Screening for opioid use disorder, depression, alcohol use disorder, and other comorbid conditions impacting pain will be a key part of the role. The Ambulatory Pain Management CPS will also serve as a preceptor for pharmacy learners, contribute to clinical protocol development, and achieve credentialed CPS status through the UAMS Medical Board Credentialing Committee within 6 months of employment.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy or BS Pharmacy Degree
• PGY1 residency training OR 3 years of applicable experience (the dept can specify experience)
• AR licensure or eligible for licensure - do not count intern experience

Responsibilities

• Leads assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs
• Facilitates pharmaceutical care services, direct patient care programs, and medication optimization for chronic pain management, ensuring alignment with evidence-based guidelines, regulatory requirements, and institutional policy
• Designs and implements opioid stewardship and safety initiatives, including monitoring programs, compliance tracking, and provider education
• Tracks and evaluates assigned pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency and routinely benchmarks against local and national best practices
• Actively identifies practice-related issues that require evaluation and facilitate clinical research projects, quality improvement initiatives, or healthcare provider education as needed to advance practice
• Assures pharmacy is an integral part of the interdisciplinary pain management team and facilitates enhancement and expansion of pharmacy services/programs
• Delivers direct patient care and clinical practice in pain management
• Provides comprehensive medication management under collaborative practice agreements for patients with chronic pain and related conditions
• Participates in interdisciplinary pain management visits and collaborates with providers to ensure safe and effective pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment plans
• Identifies high-risk patients (e.g., polypharmacy, high-dose opioid therapy, coexisting substance use disorder) and implements appropriate interventions to improve quality and safety
• Makes evidence-based recommendations for opioid initiation, titration, tapering, and rotation, and for adjuvant and non-opioid therapies
• Provides patient education on medication use, risk mitigation strategies, and expectations for therapy outcomes
• Participates in the management of medical emergencies
• Supports continuity of care through medication reconciliation, discharge counseling, and care coordination
• Provides pharmaceutical services throughout the medical center
• Maintains proficiency in medication ordering and documentation systems used for pain management and controlled substances
• Provides accurate, safe, timely, and appropriate medication therapy based on patient age and needs
• Completes critical patient monitoring and reviews patient profile/chart to identify, prevent, or mitigate drug-related problems, improper drug or dose selection, sub-therapeutic dosage, overdosage, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, failure to receive drugs, untreated indications, medication use without an indication, and treatment failures
• Communicates effectively and appropriately with healthcare providers and caregivers (physicians, nurses, etc.) and assures continuity of pharmaceutical care between shifts and among staff
• Actively participates in stewardship activities and restricted medication programs
• Ensures regulatory and safety compliance
• Monitors and supports compliance with controlled substance agreements, urine drug screening protocols, naloxone co-prescribing, and documentation requirements
• Ensures compliance with all applicable UAMS, DEA, and Arkansas Board of Pharmacy regulations regarding controlled substance prescribing and management
• Tracks and reports outcomes and compliance metrics related to pain management and controlled substance use
• Provides guidance to providers and staff on controlled substance policies and documentation standards
• Contributes to ongoing opioid stewardship and quality improvement efforts
• Facilitates experiential education and practice advancement
• Maintains proficiency in preceptor roles and actively emulates education/mentorship skills
• Develops student, resident, fellow, and staff training experiences/competencies and creates new relationships for teaching and training opportunities
• Identifies, designs, and implements improvements in the medication-use system to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities
• Merchant Discounts
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree