Pharmacy Specialist - Ambulatory Care

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for Ambulatory Care provides comprehensive pharmacotherapy support in the ambulatory care setting. The specialist advises providers on evidence-based therapeutic alternatives, medication optimization, and drug information, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to deliver patient-centered care to a broad ambulatory population. Direct patient care is provided under approved collaborative practice agreements. The role reviews and interprets medication orders, laboratory data, and complete medication profiles to support safe, effective, and appropriate drug therapy and to identify and mitigate drug interactions and other medication-related problems. The specialist contributes to clinical protocols and quality initiatives and precepts pharmacy students and residents. Credentialing as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist through the UAMS Medical Board Credentialing Committee is expected within six months of employment. The position also leads assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs; provides direct patient care and pharmacy services; supports medication utilization, stewardship, and safety programs; and contributes to operational, educational, research, and quality-improvement activities. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy or BS Pharmacy degree.
PGY1 residency training or three years of applicable experience.
Arkansas Pharmacist license or eligibility for Arkansas licensure.
Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification is required within three years of hiring.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY2 residency in Ambulatory Care or five years of experience working as a clinical pharmacy specialist in an Ambulatory Care setting.
Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs.
Facilitate pharmaceutical care services, direct patient care programs, and medication utilization systems aligned with patient care needs, evidence-based practices, and regulatory standards.
Design and implement stewardship activities and restriction or surveillance programs.
Track and evaluate pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency, benchmarking against local and national best practices.
Identify practice-related issues and facilitate clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, or healthcare provider education.
Promote pharmacy integration into the healthcare delivery system and enhance or expand pharmacy services and programs.
Deliver direct patient care and clinical practice, including decentralized and service-based programs.
Maintain proficiency in decentralized pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programs.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and 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.
Participate in the management of medical emergencies.
Provide discharge medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate.
Provide pharmaceutical services throughout the medical center.
Maintain proficiency in hospital computer systems and medication ordering systems.
Provide accurate, safe, timely, and appropriate medication therapy based on patient age and needs.
Monitor patients and review profiles and charts to identify, prevent, or mitigate medication-related problems, including inappropriate drug or dose selection, adverse reactions, interactions, untreated indications, and treatment failures.
Communicate effectively with healthcare providers and caregivers and support continuity of pharmaceutical care between shifts and staff.
Participate in stewardship activities, restricted medication programs, pharmacy operations, and medication dispensing.
Maintain proficiency in and engage in operational programs, central and satellite dispensing pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy areas as appropriate to the assignment.
Facilitate specialty medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing procedures, including chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, and controlled substances, as appropriate to the assignment.
Facilitate experiential education and practice advancement.
Maintain proficiency in preceptor roles and demonstrate education and mentorship skills.
Develop student, resident, and staff training experiences and competencies and establish teaching and training opportunities.
Identify, design, and implement medication-use system improvements to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs.
As requested, participate in department, hospital, and campus committees and help develop and implement Clinical Pharmacy Services in assigned areas.
Obtain Clinical Pharmacy Specialist credentialing through the UAMS Medical Board Credentialing Committee within six months of employment.