Company Description

Renowned as the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, our Magnet®-designated facility is a nationally recognized, academic medical center with opportunities across the continuum of care. Come join UMMC and discover the atmosphere where talents and ideas come together to enhance patient care and advance the science of nursing. Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, you won’t find a more vibrant place to work!

Job Description

General Summary

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist:

Under limited supervision, provides a high level of direct patient care pharmacy services for an assigned, specialized patient population to assure adequate patient care according to professional standards and practices. Advises/consults with patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff. Participates in research and drug use and outcome management programs within specialty area; responsible for publishing data or giving presentations at local, regional or national meetings; instructs and trains pharmacy residents and students; assists in overseeing, directing, and mentoring the clinical services provided by transition of care pharmacists. Service Supervisor: In addition to the above criteria, under general supervision, oversees the daily operations of the assigned pharmacy services. Supervises all levels of personnel assigned to the service being supervised. Assists in developing, implementing and monitoring specific goals and objectives as they pertain to his/her area of supervision.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Provides pharmaceutical care to individual patients. Promotes optimal drug therapy and safe use of medications and specialized nutrition support by applying medication use collaborating with dietician on nutrition care standards and regulations to individual patients. Specific processes may include assessment of patient-specific data to evaluate the patient’s status and medication needs; development of a therapeutic plan; order/prescription management; medication preparation, dispensing and distribution; medication administration; monitoring; patient/family medication counseling; the prevention, detection, and resolution of drug-related problems; and documentation of findings (may include patients seen in any Medical System patient care setting, e.g. hospital, clinic, ER, home).

• Performs pharmacokinetic consultation to routine and complex patient cases.
• Designs and initiate drug therapy management where appropriate.
• Makes verbal or written recommendations in a clear, succinct and appropriate manner.
• Considers age, weight and organ function (e.g. renal, hepatic) when evaluating patients and patient’s therapies when making recommendations.
• Interviews patients and conducts physical assessments to determine medical history, previous medication condition and response to therapy.
• Interprets laboratory and other patient-specific data to develop treatment plans and to monitor response to therapy.
• Identifies a patient’s problem list, makes assessments, and monitors patient’s progress toward achieving therapeutic outcomes. Intervenes in situations in which use of an alternative drug requires advanced understanding of complex therapeutic issues.
• Contributes to the fiscal and patient care targets of an assigned pharmaceutical care team. Provides appropriate documentation of all pharmaceutical care interventions. Demonstrates ability to intervene in cost/quality-conscious decision making by recommending alternative therapy or discontinuation.
• Provides effective communication of information regarding therapeutic issues to other health professionals/drug orders for individual patients.
• Participates in discharge planning where appropriate to assure a seamless transition for the patient across the various care settings of the UMMS integrated health system.

Develops patient care plans in concert with the medical and care coordination teams.

Manages care, quality, and costs. Involves the systematic and continuous process of evaluating and improving the utilization of medications in a patient population, in order to enhance the quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of medication use processes at the medical center.

• Participates in collecting patient information for the department’s on-going drug-use evaluation program to ensure that drugs are used appropriately, safely, and effectively according to approved criteria. Identifies target drugs for DUE, designs drug use criteria analyzes data, and reports findings to appropriate committees.

Ensure compliance with the UMMC Ambulatory Department policies and procedures,

• Ensures and enforces compliance with established clinical protocols and guidelines with the multidisciplinary care providers.
• Works with formulary managerin identifying and establishing programs that improve drug therapy outcomes (efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness) and overall quality of patient care.
• Participates with the formulary manager in clinical pathway development and other related managed care initiatives such as disease management programs.
• Documents pharmaceutical care interventions conscientiously as part of the departmental documentation program.

Manages the pharmacy team within the Transitional Care Programs. Acts in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of the medical center and pharmacy department. Maintains established departmental, state, federal, and local laws, policies and procedures and generally accepted pharmacy practices.

• Provides front-line management of transitional care services and operational areas such as the high risk clinics or other ambulatory settings. Oversees and directs the pharmaceutical care activities of transitional care pharmacists,pharmacy residents and Program Assistants who are also certified pharmacy technicians (CPhT)..
• Demonstrates leadership in formulating and achieving unit/team goals and addressing departmental/institutional priorities.
• Utilizes information systems and data retrieval methods to support decision-making relative to work planning and patient care.

Provides educational and staff development services including professional development and training to pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, pharmacy technicians, nurses, physicians, other health care professionals, and patients/families to ensure the optimal and safe use of medications. Serves as a preceptor/instructor in academically sponsored program in pharmacy or in post-graduate pharmacy training programs. Includes active involvement in pharmacy residency training programs.

Develops and manages medication distribution and control systems. Includes appropriate management of inventory control and purchasing systems. Involves development of unique storage, preparation, dispensing, distribution, and administration systems of medications as well as quality management with respect to the provided services.Provides timely drug and poison information in a professional manner to the health care professional through accurate interpretation of current medical literature. Reviews and interprets the primary literature and applies this information to specific patient situations.

Enhances customer relations and satisfaction. Interacts with internal and external customers of the Medical Centerin a respectful, courteous, and tactful manner to enhance the delivery of quality patient and employee services.

Engages in practice enhancements and professional development.

• Conducts or participates in a departmental project aimed at addressing departmental goals and objectives.
• Publishes in the peer-reviewed literature and/or makes presentations at local, regional, or national programs, and/or serves in a leadership capacity for a professional pharmacy organization.

Promotes public health awareness and disease prevention through active participation in service programs, health fairs, and public education programs in communities, schools, pharmacies, and health care facilities. Develops, participates in, and publicizes public education programs regarding early-detection, health screening, medication awareness, disease treatment programs, etc.

Area Supervisor

• In addition to the management and supervisory elements of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, this position will supervise the daily operations of his/her assigned area, function, or process. Monitors and reviews area performance, effects changes in collaboration with his/her manager to improve services and focus results on established operational goals and objectives.
• Encourages and provides training and development of area staff.
• Evaluates individual’s work performance and make recommendations for merit increases, promotions, and disciplinary action to his/her manager.
• Assumes administrative responsibility for the assigned services, especially those contributing to efficiency, effectiveness, patient safety, employee satisfaction (reduction of obstacles/nuisances), and appearance. Maintains area-specific records and files. Assists with and ensures the maintenance and care of department equipment and supplies.
• Interacts with nursing staff and medical staff to provide optimal patient care. Evaluates and follows through on suggestions and complaints.
• Interprets and enforces established departmental policies and procedures, good practice standards, behavioral objectives (Twenty Qualities), performance improvement initiatives, and safety, environmental, and infection control standards.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor of Pharmacy from a college or university accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is required. Master of Science, PhD or Doctor of Pharmacy from a college or university accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is preferred. Five years of clinical pharmacy experience required with Bachelor’s degree.

• Current licensure by the Maryland State Board of Pharmacy with Preceptor endorsement is required.
• Completion of an ASHP accredited pharmacy residency, and/or fellowship, or at least 3 years of pharmacy experience with a strong patient care and management focus in a transitions of care setting is strongly preferred.
• Certification from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (e.g. BCPS, BCGP, BCACP) is preferred.
• Public health certification and or advanced degree; or three years relative experience required.
• BLS required and ACLS Certification preferred.
• Teaching certificate preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in an integrated health care system, which includes an acute care hospital, or equivalent experience is required. Two years of supervisory experience in a clinical pharmacy setting is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical toxicology, and pharmacokinetics (especially the assigned area of focused practice); investigational drug research methodology; medication distribution and administration systems; pharmacoeconomics; nursing and hospital administrative practices are required.

• Demonstrates a commitment to expanding his/her knowledge base and clinical skills in the areas of pharmaceutical sciences, or pharmaceutical care services, managed care pharmacy and/or practice management.
• Ability to mentor and/or provide front-line management of patient care pharmacists and pharmacy supportive personnel in order to optimize the medication process.
• Ability to use computer systems to manage patient information. Ability to operate other automated and/or robotic technology in support of the medication use process.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with medical, nursing and various allied health staff to successfully provide optimal patient care. Written communication skills to include pharmacy notes and medical record documentation.
• Possess the following skills: ability to identify, prevent, and solve drug-related problems; patient assessment skills; patient monitoring skills; drug information retrieval and literature search capabilities; ability to interpret/order clinical laboratory parameters; patient/family medication counseling skills; customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to intervene in cost-effective decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, complete, and evaluate assignments and/or projects.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students.
• Qualifications 3-9 must be demonstrated during the probationary period.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs

Additional Information