FLSA Status

Job Role Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist optimizes medication regimens for assigned patients by collecting necessary information needed to evaluate medication therapy and developing patient-specific pharmacotherapy plans that account for the patient’s age, comorbid conditions, therapeutic goals, safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Optimizes medication regimens for assigned patients by collecting necessary information needed to evaluate medication therapy and develop patient-specific pharmacotherapy plans accounting for: age, comorbid conditions, therapeutic goals, safety, efficacy and pharmacoeconomics
  • Develops and helps implement appropriate therapeutic regimens and monitoring plans for patients
  • Carries out drug therapy protocols and completes required chart documentation according to departmental or health-system standards
  • Serves as a therapeutic leader for the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards
• Interacts with interdisciplinary members of the health-care team or clinic team to work toward optimal patient experience and outcomes; communicates effectively in writing and verbally with pharmacy staff members, other departments, patients, and/or family members
• Assists with transitions of care including medication reconciliation, medication education, prior authorization, access to medications, sustainable coverage, and/or scheduling follow-up appointments
• Assists with formulary management and medication use processes in any of the following capacities: critically evaluates non-formulary requests; adheres to drug use criteria and recommends therapeutic alternatives to prescribers; assists with preparation of drug monographs or drug class reviews; assists with medication utilization evaluations; or assists with development of alternative strategies during drug shortages
• Promotes a culture of safety by identifying, mitigating, preventing, and reporting potential or actual medication incidents, extravasation events, controlled substance incidents, and adverse drug reactions; recommends and is involved in process improvements in response to these medication safety events  
• Assists with implementation of process improvement projects designed to improve pharmacy services and medication use processes, such as review or development of: policies, procedures, protocols, order sets, clinical guidelines, disease management pathways, or drug use programs 
• Demonstrates leadership skills and effective interpersonal skills, through active participation in departmental or organizational committees/workgroups; assists with tracking metrics and data; reports related activities to the department and administration
• Maintains professionalism and a personal commitment to advancing the profession through participation in clinical research, publications, platform presentations, or posters 
• Engages in teaching, professional development, clinical education, and precepting with learners; this may include direct instruction, precepting, shadowing experiences, mentorship, in-services, journal clubs, assistance with research projects, Grand Rounds, or professional presentations; learners may include Pharmacy students, Pharmacy residents, peers/pharmacy staff, or other healthcare professionals
• Engages in one’s own professional development and maintenance of competence through continued certification in the appropriate specialty relevant to their practice, consistent participation in continuing professional development activities, and maintenance of active licensure or specialty certifications  
• Consistently ensures and assists in maintaining a constant state of regulatory readiness for The Joint Commission, DEA, Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health and other regulatory bodies; suggests and implements process improvements that may be duplicated, as appropriate, throughout the department specifically related to regulatory readiness
• Maintains compliance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures; completes all required educational activities and competencies in a timely manner and attends area-specific staff meetings

Job Requirements

•    Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree required
•    Licenses/Certification required: Licensure in the State of Indiana or Licensure eligible (until licensure, pharmacy duties are limited, no dispensing functions)
•    Completion of a PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residency or a minimum of three years full-time experience in the direct provision of clinical pharmacy services required
•    Certification through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties and/or specialty credentialing (i.e., CDCES, CACP, AAHIVP, etc.) preferred
•    Previous experience in a hospital/clinic pharmacy preferred with experience in distribution of medication for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and/or geriatric patients preferred
 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

•    Extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical products, usage, interactions, and terminology
•    Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served; must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of human growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data/interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age specific needs; age appropriate cognitive abilities, skills, techniques and communications are detailed in the department/area/unit job specific/age specific competencies
•    Ability to effectively work and communicate with physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and patients or their representatives
•    Must maintain age specific and job specific competencies and licensure as described according to departmental competencies
•    Knowledge of professional practice standards and regulatory guidelines from healthcare stakeholders including The Joint Commission, CMS, ASHP, federal/state licensing/regulatory bodies, and EH policies and procedures
•    Absence of a criminal history related to the ability to work with drugs