Overview
The Pharmacy Clinical Specialist shall serve as a liaison between the pharmacy staff, the Clinical Pharmacy Team and the NMC Pharmacy Manager. The Pharmacy Clinical Specialist shall, according to standard procedure: 1.) Facilitate the delivery of clinical services and the resolution of unresolved problems related to the clinical medication services; 2.) Be responsible for assuring the accurate and timely delivery of the drug information and other clinical services to patients and other health care providers; 3.) Enhance the delivery of the clinical pharmacy services through the development of a personal clinical practice, development of the clinical abilities of the staff, and education of the pharmacy students.
Responsibilities
Has working knowledge of all State and Federal laws and regulations affecting the practice of pharmacy.
Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for medication therapy by maintaining current knowledge, expertise, and acts as a resource for the campus for infectious diseases, critical care medicine, medication reconciliation and pharmacokinetics.
Oversees the medication history intake program at the Northport campus, completing any training, education, or competency assessment related to the maintenance or expansion of the program.
Develop and maintain clinical pharmacy practice skills to lead pharmacy service provision and medication education, when needed, to Patient Care Services team members at Northport Medical Center.
Oversees all aspects of implementing, monitoring, and reporting related to pharmacy clinical services at the Northport campus.
Oversees all aspects of maintaining and supporting clinical services/programs, including staff development and competency assessment.
Assists the NMC Pharmacy Manager with Medication Safety Event review and gives feedback and education to staff related to trends or events as appropriate.
Assumes responsibilities of the Team Leader or Pharmacy Manager, as assigned, in his/her absence.
Maintains clinical skills and knowledge to cross cover for pharmacists in their absence.
Participates as needed on the following hospital committees: CEGs, EBM, ICU, Stroke, Critical Care, Medication Safety, Infection Control, Nutrition, P&T Committee, Readmission Team, Length-of-Stay Team, Transition Rounds and Core Measure PI Team projects.
Monitors patient drug therapy for patients in the clinical practice area to ensure efficacious, safe, and cost effective drug therapy.
Promotes rational and economic drug use through professional interactions with the medical staff and medical staff committees.
Provides drug information to physicians, staff, and co-workers through direct contact, committee participation, and Clinical Updates.
Oversees student activities and projects during their experiential rotations.
Documents improvements in patient outcomes and cost containment efforts in the department’s clinical intervention system.
Participates in other performance improvement activities, as assigned by the NMC Pharmacy Manager or the Clinical Pharmacy Manager.
Maintains policies and procedures related to clinical pharmacy services, as assigned by the Clinical Pharmacy Manager.
Staffs as needed in a patient care area providing order entry or clinical pharmacy coverage.
Assists with training and orientation of new pharmacists, interns, and students to provide training in pharmacokinetics and other clinical programs.
Provides immediate, direct supervision by process defined by leadership to unlicensed pharmacy students and interns.
Assists in the development of and supports compliance with the departmental budget for Northport Pharmacy Department.
Leads the Leap Frog Medication Reconciliation process for data collection, reporting and follow-up.
Monitors the medication use process on a routine basis and reports inconsistencies to improve mediation safety within the hospital.
DCH Standards:
- Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
- Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
- Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
- Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
- Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
- Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.