Career Central

Job Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist takes an active role in assigned area of service by providing patient care recommendations on pharmacotherapy, drug interactions, drug dosages, comprehensive cost-effective guideline-directed medical therapies, and overall optimization of medication regimens to improve patient outcomes and minimize risk for adverse events according to hospital policies, professional standards of practice, and State and Federal laws.  Works with a team of clinicians while optimizing drug therapy outcomes for hospitalized pediatric patients through evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management and participation in interdisciplinary medical team rounds. Participates in training and educating pharmacy students, pharmacy and medical residents, nursing, and other medical staff.  Also provides education and counseling to patients and their caregivers. Provides clinical support for pharmacists, technicians, hospital and medical staff, and any other areas as assigned.  Also responsible for accurately interpreting, dispensing, preparing, and processing medication orders and applying clinical knowledge to meet all state and federal laws and regulations. Works under the general supervision of the Director of Pharmacy and department operations and clinical supervisory staff.

Job Specific Duties

• Performs and documents drug therapy monitoring and interventions on medication dosing, administration, drug interactions, monitoring and adverse reactions. 
• Actively participates in clinical pharmacy program and services, ands act as a consultant in areas of expertise. 
• Attends and actively contributes to daily patient care rounds, clinical services meetings, hospital committees, task forces and projects, including protocol/pathway development, order set development and optimization, and cost-savings and quality initiatives as assigned. 
• Executes established policies, procedures and protocols to ensure safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients and recommends therapeutic alternatives to medical staff as needed. 
• Documents quality activities to achieve established metrics to meet standards of DNV-GL accreditation, institutional, state and federal requirements on interventions, adverse reactions, medication errors, contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies and appropriateness of drug and dose. 
• Demonstrates and maintains competency with safe use of pharmacy and hospital clinical information systems (Cerner, PyxisES, C2Safe, Baxa TPN Dose Edge, Vigilanz, MILT4, Lexicomp, and PC desktop systems).
• Provides drug information through in-service education and daily support for pharmacy department staff, hospital clinical staff, medical residents and medical staff and consultation with patients and families. 
• Functions as a Staff Clinical Pharmacist as assigned, and satisfactorily performs the essential duties of the role for medication management.  
• Develops quality improvement projects and participates in the quality improvement and medication use review activities of the department.
• Precepts and educates pharmacy residents and pharmacy students. F: Monthly/ T: 40+ hours R: Individual
• Prepares and collects data for MUE's, drug monographs for the P&T and special projects assigned by Clinical Manager. 
• Provides clinical support for multidisciplinary committees, including the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, through development of materials to support clinical evaluation of drugs, procedures, and processes including the coordination and reporting of adverse drug reactions, pharmacist interventions and other quality initiatives, within areas of direct responsibility.
• Achieves cost savings targets and actively contributes to the pharmacy department's pharmacoeconomic efforts and formulary management and assists the department leadership with maintaining budget targets.  
• Advances the profession through publication, presentations at local, state, or national meetings and providing community education.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Science in Pharmacy or Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD)
• Eligible for/or current Florida Pharmacist License - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• 4-7 years of hospital experience as a Pediatric Pharmacist (OR) PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency in Pediatric Setting or PGY-2 Pediatric Residency

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacotherapeutic properties of medications as they relate to the pediatric population
• Ability to assess patient care conditions and evaluate patient response to medication therapy regimens
• Ability to communicate and present information effectively in both oral and written form with all levels of hospital personnel and all patient groups
• Ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary setting and serve as a liason between the pharmacy department and the nursing and medical staff
• Ability to perform drug therapy monitoring and intervene as necessary on drug dosing, interactions, adverse effects and monitoring
• Ability to intepret medication orders, medication profile lists, and oversee the distribution of medications
• Ability to problem solve and think analytically
• Ability to provide supervisory oversight for technical staff related to medication preparation and dispensing
• Ability to troubleshoot in a timely manner including weekends and holidays
• Ability to relate cooperatively and constructively with patients, co-workers, clinical/ medical staff, and interdisciplinary teams
• Previous experience with Cerner, PyxisES, C2Safe, Baxa TPN, Dose Edge, MILT4, Lexicomp, Vigilanz, and PC desktop systems or equivalent pharmacy systems
• Motivated and self- directed with a high degree of professional accountability.
• Proficient in PC applications including Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access