Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

Kaiser Permanente; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente is seeking a pharmacist to provide ambulatory pharmaceutical care under approved protocols, collaborating with health professionals to manage patient therapies. The role includes patient education and oversight of dispensing, with a focus on high-quality, evidence-based, cost-effective care in clinical settings.

The position emphasizes coordinating drug therapy decisions, monitoring laboratory parameters, and contributing to continuous improvement of pharmaceutical services.

Qualifications

• Completion of a clinical pharmacy residency or equivalent direct patient care experience.
• Valid California Pharmacist license at hire.
• BLS certification from American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

• Provide ambulatory pharmaceutical care using approved protocols in collaboration with health professionals.
• Manage patient drug therapy, educate patients, and oversee dispensing activities.
• Promote cost-effective, evidence-based pharmaceutical care.
• Inpatient and outpatient drug therapy optimization under supervision.
• Monitor labs, drug levels, and adverse effects to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Educate providers and staff through presentations and one-on-one interactions.

Skills

Clinical pharmacy

Patient education

Medication therapy management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Laboratory monitoring

Verbal & written communication

Education

Pharm.D or B.S. in Pharmacy

Tools

Pharmacy software

Job description

Job Summary:

Under indirect supervision, provides ambulatory pharmaceutical care services using approved protocols in collaboration with other health professional, including managing patient drug therapy, providing patient education, and preparing and/or overseeing the preparation and dispensing of medications. Promotes high quality, evidence-based, cost-effective pharmaceutical care. Performs these duties in the clinical areas assigned.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Department manager or designee, promotes rational and cost-effective Inpatient and Outpatient drug therapy through close participation in the drug therapy decision-making process with assigned physicians and other medical personnel.
• Provides direction to Pharmacist Residents, Pharmacist Interns, Pharmacy Technicians, and other non-licensed personnel.
• Conducts patient medication history inquiries upon referral from physicians and other medical personnel.
• Given a diagnosis, synthesize a treatment plan, which may include drug therapy and lifestyle modifications, and transition within the continuum of care settings.
• Identifies, resolves, and prevents potential and actual medication-related problems including: untreated indications, improper drug selection, subtherapeutic dosage, overdose, failure to receive medication, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and medication without indication.
• Under protocol, initiates, adjusts, monitors, and recommends changes in drug therapy based on information obtained through patient interviews, objective monitoring parameters, review of drug profiles and the patient medical record.
• Coordinates and interprets laboratory monitoring of drug therapy, including serum drug levels, electrolytes, and other approved drug-related laboratory testing.
• Provides patient monitoring for the purpose of evaluating and optimizing patient outcomes, drug utilization and patient compliance, detecting and/or minimizing ADRs, eliminating unnecessary drug use and duplication.
• Provides patient education related to the individuals disease state, including predictable actions, side effects, reasons for proper compliance, and any special instruction.
• Assure ongoing performance improvement of the pharmaceutical care services provided.
• Provides education to providers and staff via presentations, newsletters, formal utilization reviews, and one-on-one interactions.
• Performs other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Successful completion of a clinical pharmacy residency or possess the equivalent clinical experience in direct patient care delivery.

Education

• B.S. degree in Pharmacy OR Pharm.D required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Pharmacist License (California) required at hire
• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association

Additional Requirements:

• Comprehensive knowledge of current pharmacological/biopharmaceutical principles, medical terminology, pathologies, disease states, and related information for a medical management plan.
• Working knowledge of aseptic technique and preparation of sterile IV products and chemotherapy agents. Knowledge of emergency medications and drug monitoring.
• Understanding of drug utilization review and drug usage evaluation
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws & regulations regarding the provision of pharmaceutical services.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to operate the pharmacy computer system(s) and other equipment. Must be able to input prescription labels.
• Must obtain an NPI # within one month in position.
• Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
• ACLS certification may be required in some areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• N/A