Overview
The Pharmacy Specialist shall serve as a liaison between the pharmacy staff and the Oncology Pharmacy Manager. The Oncology Pharmacy Clinician shall, according to standard procedure: 1.) Facilitate the delivery of clinical services and the resolution of unresolved problems related to the clinical 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/residents.
Responsibilities
Has working knowledge of all State and Federal laws and regulations affecting the practice of pharmacy.
Assumes responsibilities of the Oncology Pharmacy Manager, as assigned, in his/her absence.
Develops and maintains an area of clinical expertise in oncology providing clinical pharmacy services for patients and health care professionals in this practice area.
Develops and presents educational topics, and staff development programs; participate in activities to enhance the pharmacy department’s professional and/or clinical services; develop medication protocols to optimize patient’s drug therapy; and serve as clinical resource to the health care team.
Designs and delivers in-service education for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy
Uses effective patient education techniques to provide counseling and education to patients and caregivers
Establishes and maintains effective communication with pharmacy staff members, other health care disciplines and patients providing drug information.
Manages time efficiently to maintain high productivity of all Oncology & Infusion Pharmacy Services staff through oversight of daily operations.
Participates as needed on the following hospital committees: Cancer Center Committee, Oncology Value Analysis Team, QOPI Committee, and MD Anderson.
Assists in the acquisition of non-formulary, compassionate use, and investigational medications
Designs, recommends, monitors, and evaluates patient specific pharmacotherapeutic regimens
Monitor 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.
Maintains a clinical pharmacy rotation for students/residents. Participates in activities of the Residency Advisory Group. Supports and mentors resident research and other scholarly activities.
Documents improvements in patient outcomes and cost containment efforts in the department’s clinical intervention system. Provides the Oncology Pharmacy Manager with a quarterly performance improvement report / graphs that depicts the specialists patient care activities. Participates in other performance improvement activities, as assigned by the Oncology Pharmacy Manager.
Assists with performance evaluations and annual competencies as directed by the Oncology Pharmacy Manager.
Maintains policies and procedures related to clinical oncology pharmacy services.
Maintains workload statistics and other productivity parameters to promote the success of the clinical oncology pharmacy services.
Assist with the training of new employee and staff education (Clinical Updates).
Assists in the development of, and supports compliance with, a departmental budget.
Provides immediate, direct supervision by process defined by leadership to unlicensed pharmacy students and interns.
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.
- Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
- Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Must hold a current license to practice pharmacy in the State of Alabama or acquire license in 90 days. Must be an Alabama pharmacy preceptor or become a preceptor within six months. The candidate must have developed an area of personal clinical practice, contributing regularly to patient care, and has exhibited a commitment to maintain a level of practice well beyond that required of staff practitioners.