STAFF PHARMACIST (NDHC)

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc.•Sanders, AZ

About The Position

The Staff Pharmacist (NDHC) position involves monitoring, modifying, and evaluating drug therapy for optimal therapeutic outcomes. This role requires interaction with patients for drug history, monitoring responses, education, and counseling on current drug therapy and potential side effects. The pharmacist will perform pharmaceutical compounding for sterile and non-sterile preparations, screen prescriptions for accuracy and potential incompatibilities, and advise patients and healthcare staff on medication details. A key aspect of the role is evaluating medication orders for appropriateness based on clinical guidelines, patient-specific factors, drug interactions, allergies, and formulary options, ensuring patient-centered care aligned with therapeutic needs and goals. Dispensing medications with attention to accuracy, labeling, patient safety, and regulatory compliance is crucial. The pharmacist will monitor and evaluate outcomes by reviewing clinical and laboratory data, assessing efficacy and toxicity, and making evidence-based recommendations. Participation in medication reconciliation, interdisciplinary team rounds, and collaborative treatment planning is expected. The role also includes providing pharmaceutical care and public health services within the Navajo Nation, potentially in homes, schools, clinics, and job sites. When clinical decisions fall outside established parameters, the pharmacist must seek consultation and supervisory input. Staff pharmacists are expected to use established protocols, policy, and therapeutic guidelines, apply national formularies and treatment algorithms, and refer complex cases to senior pharmacists. Individualized patient counseling is essential to promote safe and effective medication use, covering administration, effects, side effects, interactions, and lifestyle modifications. The pharmacist will assist in educational programs and develop educational materials. Quality improvement and medication safety efforts, including adverse drug event tracking and drug utilization reviews, are also part of the responsibilities. Documentation and analysis related to quality assurance, medication error prevention, and medication use evaluations are required, ensuring alignment with facility policy, accreditation, and professional standards. Education delivery must be patient-centered, considering health literacy, language preference, and cultural context, with thorough documentation in the health record. The pharmacist oversees pharmacy technicians, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper medication storage and inventory. They support continuous improvement initiatives for medication safety and quality. Administrative functions supporting the pharmacy department and its integration within the healthcare team are also included, such as contributing to policy development, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance. Participation in pharmacy audits, monitoring controlled substance regulations, and supporting staff training are expected. The pharmacist may serve on facility committees as a subject matter expert. Completing required training, maintaining licensure and continuing education, and participating in performance reviews are mandatory. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor are also part of the role.

Requirements

Two (2) years pharmacy experience.
Completion of an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharm.D.
Active, unrestricted Pharmacy License in any U.S. State or Territory by completing necessary Board of Pharmacy requirements for the respective state of licensing.
Valid unrestricted insurable driver's license.
Resume and references are required.

Nice To Haves

Navajo/Indian Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment. Members of other federally-recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference.

Responsibilities

Monitor, modify, and evaluate drug therapy for optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Interact with patients to obtain drug history, monitor patients' responses, educate and counsel, and explain information on current drug therapy and potential side effects.
Perform pharmaceutical compounding for sterile and non-sterile preparations, including extemporaneous formulations.
Screen prescriptions for proper interpretation; appropriate dosages; and possible therapeutic, chemical, or physical incompatibility; advise patients and healthcare staff on dosage regimen, side effects, and storage requirements.
Evaluate medication orders for appropriateness based on current clinical guidelines, patient-specific factors (e.g., renal or hepatic function, age, comorbidities, etc.), drug interactions, allergies, and approved formulary options.
Dispense medications with attention to accuracy, labeling, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
Monitor and evaluate outcomes by reviewing clinical and laboratory data, assessing efficacy and toxicity, and making evidence-based recommendations.
Participate in medication reconciliation processes, interdisciplinary team rounds, and collaborative treatment planning.
Advise physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers on medication-related issues, including selection, dosing, monitoring, and potential adverse effects.
Provide pharmaceutical care and public health services to individuals eligible for services provided by the FDIHB in homes, schools, clinics, job sites, and other community locations within the assigned Service Unit.
Seek consultation and supervisory input when clinical decisions fall outside established policy or guideline parameters.
Use established protocols, policy, and therapeutic guidelines to resolve medication issues.
Apply national formularies and treatment algorithms under supervisory oversight.
Refer complex or ambiguous cases to senior pharmacists.
Provide individualized patient counseling to promote safe and effective medication use.
Assist in conducting interdisciplinary educational programs in drug therapy, and/or develop and provide education materials to patients.
Assist in quality improvement and medication safety efforts, including adverse drug event tracking, drug utilization reviews, and formulary management.
Provide input into interdisciplinary initiatives and contribute to the development of educational materials for patients and staff.
Document and provide analysis related to quality assurance, medication error prevention, and medication use evaluations.
Help ensure that pharmacy operations are aligned with facility policy, accreditation requirements, and professional standards.
Oversee the work of pharmacy technicians, ensuring accuracy in dispensing, compliance with legal requirements, and proper medication storage and inventory procedures.
Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the safety and quality of medication use throughout the facility.
Perform administrative functions that support the pharmacy department and its integration within the broader healthcare team.
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures, performance improvement activities, compliance with accrediting standards, and preparation for regulatory inspections.
Participate in pharmacy audits, monitor compliance with controlled substance regulations, and support staff training and education.
Serve on facility committees or workgroups as a subject matter expert in pharmacotherapy or medication safety.
Complete required training, maintain appropriate licensure and continuing education, and participate in performance reviews.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor in support of pharmacy operations and the overall mission of the healthcare facility.