Position Summary:

Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for the provision of clinical and operational pharmacy services to optimize safe and effective drug therapy in a variety of clinical settings. The clinical pharmacist assesses patient-specific data to evaluate medication needs, verifies medication orders, and oversees the preparation, dispensing, distribution and monitoring of all medications. Additional activities include providing drug therapy consults, providing patient/family/staff education, facilitating transitions of care and precepting pharmacy students and residents.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Participates in direct patient care and interdisciplinary rounds by interacting with physicians, nurses, other health care professionals, and patients as a member of an interdisciplinary team on patient care units to guide and recommend appropriate medication use.
• Participates in focused clinical initiatives as defined by the department (e.g. pharmacokinetic consultation, IV to PO, renal dose adjustment, etc).
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to recommend appropriate therapeutic treatment of neonatal, adult, pediatric, adolescent and elderly patients.
• Monitors assigned patient areas for clinical progress and evaluate pharmacotherapeutic regimens for effectiveness and adverse drug events. Recommends adjustments to therapy as necessary.
• Handles all clinical requests from assigned units during assigned shift.
• Documents clinical activities and interventions on a regular basis.
• Applies effective cost avoidance/saving practices to the operation of the patient-care unit
• Provides drug information and education to other pharmacy staff and healthcare professionals.
• Performs and oversees medication reconciliation and medication histories for patients presenting to assigned patient care areas
• Provide patient/family counseling and education
• Serves as primary preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students.
• Assist with departmental orientation for all new employees
• Responsible for cross coverage in other patient care areas as needed for appropriate levels of clinical support.
• Accepts any special projects assigned by Manger or Director to assist in departmental efficiency.

Medication Distribution:

• Understands and follows departmental and hospital policy and procedures related to dispensing of medications
• Verifies medication orders and/or dispenses medications accurately, safely, and in a timely manner.
• Follows all department, State, and Federal policies as pertains to the ordering, storage, monitoring, and documentation of controlled substances.
• Maintains proper storage of all pharmacy products, and oversees the filling of all stock requisitions to assure appropriate handling.
• Maintains established procedures concerning quality assurance, security of controlled substances, and disposal of hazardous waste drugs.
• Independently resolves problem medication orders appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Processes/validates medication orders utilizing current information system technology to create and maintain accurate patient profiles.
• Directs and supervises the work of technicians to ensure accuracy and safety
• Checks all products requiring a pharmacist approval prior to dispensing.
• Maintains proficiency in hospital computer systems and pharmacy automation technology.
• Completes "Unit Inspections" as assigned to assure that medications are properly stored and handled throughout the Hospital.
• Coordinates activities and integrates services by working closely with other departments in order to provide comprehensive services. Participation on improvement programs is required.
• Participates in departmental quality improvement processes such as collecting data for drug use evaluation and reporting/following up on medication incidents and reporting medication adverse events.
• Fulfills goals set by Manager or Director on department's key performance indicators in the designated patient care areas such as reducing length of stay, drug cost/patient/day, medication delivery, turn-around time, etc.
• Attends meetings, departmental and hospital staff development programs and provides presentations in-services on pharmacotherapy-related topics as requested by Manager or Director.