Clinical Pharmacist Operations-Specialty Pharmacy, Full-time Days

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Loan forgiveness

401(k) matching

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Chicago is seeking a full-time Clinical Pharmacist Operations for specialty pharmacy. The role involves ensuring patient-centered care, monitoring medication therapy, and providing medication consults. The ideal candidate must hold a pharmacy license in Illinois and have a Bachelor’s or Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Additionally, they will participate in quality improvement activities and assist with patient education. Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness, are offered.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice pharmacy in Illinois.
• Training and knowledge of specialty areas preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and proper use of medications.
• Provide medication consultation to healthcare professionals.
• Monitor medication therapy for interactions.
• Document all clinical activities performed.

Skills

Pharmacokinetics

Medication Management

Patient Communication

Inventory Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Job description

Clinical Pharmacist Operations – Specialty Pharmacy (Full-time)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient‑first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees.

Job Description

The Clinical Pharmacist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for identifying, preventing, and/or resolving medication‑related problems; for providing authoritative information to other health care professionals, patients, and the public; and for ensuring that the informational, clinical, and drug distribution components of pharmacy services function as an integrated system to provide patient‑centered care to the patients and staff of Northwestern Medicine.

The mission of the Department of Pharmacy is to deliver the safest, highest quality, most effective and efficient patient care while developing the best people, advancing research, and integrating pharmacy services to successfully coordinate care across the Northwestern Medicine enterprise. The vision of the Department of Pharmacy is to be recognized as a national leader in advancing the pharmacy enterprise through excellence, innovation, education and research.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for following all NM medicine Best Practice Procedures
• Transfer prescriptions into and out of pharmacy with appropriate documentation
• Receive, verify, obtain, and document refill authorizations and accurately fill prescriptions
• Use good professional judgment in the dispensing of medications
• Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations regarding mandatory consultations on prescription and OTC drugs
• Answer phone calls in an expedient and courteous manner using appropriate greeting and identification
• Perform final audit on prescriptions filled by technicians
• Supervise ancillary personnel, students, and technicians
• Complete incident reports for prescription errors within 24 hours of notification of error
• Assist in maintaining a clean and professional pharmacy
• Assist with the maintaining of pharmacy computers and equipment
• Assist in training other pharmacy personnel
• Teamwork approach to daily work routine which involves the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with peers and management
• Attend all pharmacy staff meetings as required
• Effectively work in respective clinical area outside of specialty pharmacy
• Be able to cross‑cover other clinical areas for absences/vacations/work overflow
• Competent knowledge of technician procedure manual
• Process pharmacy sales and complete all signature logs as required
• Perform register functions as needed
• Effectively communicate with co‑workers, customers, and other health care professionals
• Assist in inventory management
• Understand third‑party specific requirements for prior authorization and be able to complete prior authorizations
• Understand drug specific Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) requirements and be able to identify what is needed for REMS fulfillment
• Able to take after hours call on a rotating basis and be able to independently triage or fulfill any patient requirements during this time
• Accurately and appropriately document information in electronic medical record (EMR), and Therapy Management System
• Must notify organization/department within one business day in the event of an adverse change of one’s licensure or certification status
• Interprets medication orders to ensure safety and proper use of medications and is alert to compatibilities, incompatibilities, medication duplication, medication allergies, and potential medication administration errors
• Monitors medication therapy for significant drug‑drug, drug‑diet, or drug‑laboratory test interactions
• Evaluates and documents that the medication(s) selected are appropriate for achieving the desired therapeutic outcome
• Acts as a consultant in the areas of pharmacokinetics and adverse reactions to physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals
• Participates in all therapeutic drug monitoring or intervention programs
• Processes all medication order information into the Electronic Health Record to ensure accuracy of records
• Maintains a comprehensive pharmacy patient profile
• Oversees the packaging labeling, and distribution of medications for all patients and employees according to established policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Compounds and dispenses pharmaceuticals including sterile products, chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products
• Verifies medication orders before delivery to patient care areas and ensures accuracy and completeness
• Reviews all laboratory data for appropriateness of medication use and recommends changes when needed
• Develops and presents orientation, education and training programs for medical, nursing, hospital and pharmacy staff, as well as assisting in the educating of pharmacy students, residents, and fellows
• Educates patients and their families about specific medications
• Responds to emergency situations to assist with medication management (e.g. response to cardiac arrests)
• Provides accurate and timely medication information and or teaching to healthcare professionals or patients
• Maintains the hospital formulary and acts to limit medication usage to formulary items when appropriate
• Documents all clinical activities and interventions performed
• Communicates professional knowledge effectively in both oral and written forms
• Participates in quality improvement and medication use review activities of the department
• Organizes, prioritizes, and plans workload within given time constraints
• Reviews restocking automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) throughout the hospital and resolves any problems
• Ensures compliance with hazardous waste collection and disposal procedures
• Maintains proficiency and expertise in areas of practice through continuous professional development
• All other job duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required

• Current license to practice pharmacy in the State of Illinois
• Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Preferred

• Training and knowledge of specialty areas (neonatology, critical care, oncology, etc.)
• Completion of a pharmacy residency program or equivalent hospital pharmacy experience

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign‑on Bonus Eligibility

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.