Description
At MemorialCare Health System, we believe in providing extraordinary healthcare to our communities and an exceptional working environment for our employees. Memorial Care stands for excellence in Healthcare. Across our family of medical centers, we support each one of our bright, talented employees in reaching the highest levels of professional development, contribution, collaboration and accountability. Whatever your role and whatever expertise you bring, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your full potential in an environment of respect, innovation and teamwork.
Position Summary
The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist is responsible for improving therapeutic outcomes for our patients through safe, rational and cost-effective pharmaceutical care, education and research. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist maintains competency in drug therapy and disease-state management in order to provide this care and improve patient care outcomes. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist provides drug information to physicians, nurses and other health care workers to improve the quality of medication prescribing and administration. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist assists with medication reconciliation, identifies potential medication safety issues and works actively to prevent medication errors. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist educates patients and families to improve compliance with drug therapy as required. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist directs the work of ancillary personnel as necessary. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist also contributes to the future of the profession and the pharmacy services within the hospital by teaching pharmacy students and post graduate pharmacy residents.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job
* Reviews medication and IV therapy orders and patient profiles; is able to identify the appropriateness of prescribed therapy relative to individual patient requirements and current departmental policies and procedures; and takes appropriate action to clarify or change inappropriate or incomplete medication and IV therapy orders.
* Demonstrates a solid working knowledge of common drugs, indications, dosages, monitoring parameters, pharmacokinetic principles, common medical conditions, clinical diagnoses, and the cost complication of common treatment regimens. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist demonstrates the ability to conduct a thorough patient medication history, to be able to enter it correctly into the electronic medical record and is able to accurately review a medication history obtained by a pharmacy technician.
* Demonstrates competency in drug therapy guidelines for service area; makes appropriate decisions and changes in pharmacy-regulated drug and IV therapy within current policies and guidelines; and/or makes appropriate recommendations to physicians or other prescribers when indicated.
* Demonstrates proficiency in the area of pharmacy operations, patient care and patient safety activities which measurably improves patient care outcomes, reduces, overall cost of care, and/or improves the efficiency of delivering pharmacy services at LBMC.
* Directs the daily activities of pharmacy technicians and other ancillary personnel; works collaboratively with all health care team members in an appropriate and effective manner in order to optimize the productivity of the pharmacy; and participates in training/orientation of new staff, residents and students in service area.
* Documents any medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and interventions on behalf of patients in order to meet regulatory requirements, lead to process improvements, and determine optimal use of department resources.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications/Work Experience:
* Minimum of 2 years experience in an inpatient or outpatient hospital pharmacy with clinical exposure or a pharmacy practice residency with equivalent experience preferred.
* Outstanding organizational and communication skills.
* Ability to exercise independent judgment and prioritize a diverse workload.
* Proficient understanding of common computer programs used in pharmacy practice and ability to type at least 30 words per minute preferred.
* Working knowledge of pharmacokinetic principles preferred.
* Qualified in Pharmacy Services Guidelines for assigned service area preferred.
Education/Licensure/Certification:
* Graduate of school of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
* Current licensure as a pharmacist in the State of California.
* Current American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certificate.
* Completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency preferred.
