CLINICAL PHARMACIST, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Excela Health; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Independence Health System in Greensburg, PA is seeking an Emergency Department Pharmacist to lead the pharmacist‑led medication reconciliation initiative and support ED clinical services. The role emphasizes improving medication safety, collaborating with medical staff, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

The position requires a Pharm‑D or BS in Pharmacy, with PGY1 or acute care experience, and strong leadership and communication skills. A sign‑on bonus of $15,000 is available.

Qualifications

• Pharmacist degree (BS or Pharm-D) from an accredited school.
• Three years of acute care experience or completion of a PGY1 residency.
• Strong leadership, organization, and critical thinking skills with sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate complex topics to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review evidence-based guidelines for the Pharmacist‑Led Medication Reconciliation Initiative.
• Take ownership of motivation, morale, performance, and professional development.
• Assure appropriate drug utilization and perform drug utilization review focused on ED therapies.
• Oversee pharmacokinetic monitoring and drive performance improvements.
• Communicate with care teams to promote optimal medication safety and cost-conscious care.
• Document interventions and present findings to pharmacy committees.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical thinking

Organizational skills

ED teamwork

Education

BS or Pharm-D

Job description

**** $15,000 Sign On Bonus Available ****

Job Summary

All Independence Health System clinical pharmacists are responsible for the standard operations of Independence Health System Pharmacy's clinical services program. The goal of the program is to improve clinical effectiveness of all treatment therapies, provide pharmacist support to medical staff during rounds and outside of rounding, and manage medication‑directed therapies as appropriate. This includes pharmacy intervention software, pharmacokinetic monitoring software, proper medication reconciliation, and various pharmacy consultations. The pharmacist in this position must adapt to the ever‑changing needs of the system.

In addition to supporting the various clinical pharmacy programs, the Emergency Department (ED) Pharmacist is responsible for the development, implementation, documentation, and operation of the Pharmacist‑Led Medication Reconciliation Initiative. The pharmacist will collaborate with Pharmacy Managers, ED Medical Staff, Hospitalist Medical Staff, nursing and leadership, informaticists, IT professionals, and other hospital personnel to design, implement, and coordinate this initiative. The goal is to promote optimal and safe use of medications within the ED and continuously improve medication processes. The ED Pharmacist will also provide support and education to medical staff, including pharmacists, nurses, and physicians, to increase therapeutic effectiveness in a cost‑conscious manner. The pharmacist will ensure compliance with all regulations and standards, including those set by the Joint Commission, USP, Department of Health, and other relevant authorities.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and review evidence‑based guidelines and protocols for the Pharmacist‑Led Medication Reconciliation Initiative.
• Take ownership of own motivation, morale, performance, and professional development.
• Strive for behavior consistent with Independence Health System’s mission, vision, and values.
• Assure appropriate drug utilization and perform drug utilization review, focusing on therapies utilized in the ED, including anticoagulation reversal, timely antibiotic administration, and antidotes.
• Participate in collaborative care patient rounding when needed.
• Assure medication safety, including reporting medication errors and adverse drug reactions.
• Oversee the pharmacokinetic monitoring program and drive performance improvements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary committees such as the VTE committee, Medication Safety Committee, Nutrition Support Committee, and other ERAS/Surgical Committees.
• Develop and research Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee issues, attend monthly meetings, and present topics as necessary.
• Support the goals of the pharmacy managers and complete various assignments in a self‑driven manner.
• Foster a team approach to promote clinical stewardship in the pharmacy and ED 24/7 by educating staff, physicians, nurses, residents, students, and other ancillary staff.

Specialty Job Functions

• Practice core elements of Medication Reconciliation and identify improvement opportunities in admission, discharge planning, perioperative services, and transitions of care.
• Develop algorithms and protocols for system‑wide use.
• Engage providers, pharmacists, nurses, and other staff to enhance Medication Reconciliation and provide necessary tools for accurate care at all hours.
• Proficiently dose and monitor anticoagulation medications, antimicrobials, and other medications requiring pharmacokinetic intervention.
• Adjust doses and select appropriate delivery systems based on patient age, condition, and weight.
• Control costs by obtaining and interpreting timely serum drug levels and laboratory monitoring parameters.
• Dissuade unnecessary or redundant formulary additions and support a strong, streamlined formulary.
• Effectively communicate with the care transition team when a formulary alternative is indicated.
• Document clinical interventions and present findings to committees such as the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Medication Safety Committee.
• Act as a liaison between staff pharmacists, pharmacy leadership, and emergency and other medical staff.
• Collaborate with pharmacy management, staff pharmacists, medical staff, nurses, physicians, informatics, and other key stakeholders to meet quality and safety metrics.
• Aid in the development of order sets, Power Plans, and other protocols to improve Computer Physician Order Entry (CPOE).
• Support teaching pharmacy initiatives, precepting pharmacy students on IPPE and APPE rotations.
• Educate pharmacist knowledge by administering competencies as necessary.
• Be available to work daylight, afternoon/evening, and night shifts seven days a week.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy with a BS degree or Pharm‑D.
• Three (3) years of experience in an acute care setting or completion of a PGY1 residency.
• Strong leadership ability and good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects of pharmacy practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex or controversial topics to a diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm‑D) from an accredited U.S. school of pharmacy.
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS).
• Residency PGY2 with Emergency Medicine concentration preferred.
• Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate from the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) with AAI license.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
• Authorization to administer injectable medications license from the State of Pennsylvania.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel (Pivot Tables, Data Mining, etc.).
• Experience with development and implementation of drug therapy protocols and Pharmacist‑Led Medication Reconciliation programs.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice as a pharmacist in the State of Pennsylvania or eligibility for licensure within 90 days of hire.
• Act 34‑PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on‑call, etc.).

AAP/EEO

• Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of Independence Health System is to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non‑job related disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health System will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.