Clinical Pharmacist Specialist — MICU

Howard University Hospital; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 157,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC is seeking a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - MICU to advance critical care pharmacy services for critically ill patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. You will provide direct patient care, monitoring, education, and collaboration with the interprofessional team to optimize therapy and outcomes.

This role requires a PharmD and a PGY-2 in Critical Care or equivalent experience, DC licensure or eligibility, and board certification in CC is

Qualifications

• PharmD from an accredited School of Pharmacy.
• Completion of a PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency, or equivalent experience.
• Registration as a pharmacist in the District of Columbia, or eligibility for registration through reciprocity.

Responsibilities

• Manage and advance the clinical services of the pharmacy department to support a high level of patient care and the appropriate utilization of drug therapy for critically ill patients.
• Serve as a clinical specialist resource on critical care pharmacotherapy for pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Provide direct patient care activities including comprehensive medication management, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic monitoring, medication regimen assessment, adverse drug event surveillance, and patient and staff education related to critical care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding medication selection, dosing, monitoring, interactions, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Evaluate medication therapy for critically ill patients and identify opportunities to optimize treatment based on patient-specific factors, disease state, organ function, laboratory values, and clinical response.
• Provide specialized pharmacotherapy support for conditions commonly encountered in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, including sepsis, respiratory failure, hemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, and other critical illnesses.
• Support appropriate antimicrobial therapy, sedation and analgesia, anticoagulation, vasopressor therapy, and other critical care medication management needs.
• Document clinical interventions and patient care activities accurately and consistently.
• Promote appropriate formulary use and coordinate the procurement of non-formulary drugs when clinically necessary.
• Develop advanced clinical services, including pharmacy-managed protocols and medication use management programs - clinical guidelines, critical pathways, disease management, and drug use programs.
• Partner with Pharmacy leadership on quality assurance initiatives, clinical pathway development, medication safety, and departmental readiness for regulatory audits.
• Coordinate and participate in drug utilization initiatives and develop department-wide programs ensuring medication use is monitored relative to patient age, weight, sex, organ function, and disease state.
• Prepare and present information for committees such as Adverse Drug Reactions, Medication Use Indicators, Medication Errors, and other Pharmacy or hospital committees.
• Serve as a mentor and preceptor to staff pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other healthcare learners through example, training, and education.
• Serve as an educational resource - developing and presenting programs that promote safe, effective, and cost-efficient critical care medication therapy for pharmacy and hospital staff.
• Review pharmacy and organizational policies and procedures related to medication use and critical care services.
• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics, HIPAA, and applicable regulatory requirements; maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role.

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited School of Pharmacy

PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency or equivalent experience

Registration as a pharmacist in the District of Columbia, or eligibility for registration through reciprocity

Job description

Howard University Hospital | Washington, DC

Role Summary

As a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - MICU at Howard University Hospital, you will manage and advance the clinical pharmacy services that support safe, effective, and appropriate drug therapy for critically ill patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Through direct patient care, clinical services administration, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic monitoring, and staff education, you will serve as the pharmacy department’s critical care expert - partnering with pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes.

If you are an experienced clinical pharmacist with specialized critical care training and a passion for direct patient care, teaching, mentorship, and evidence-based practice, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact at one of the nation’s most storied academic medical centers and a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and advance the clinical services of the pharmacy department to support a high level of patient care and the appropriate utilization of drug therapy for critically ill patients
• Serve as a clinical specialist resource on critical care pharmacotherapy for pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team
• Provide direct patient care activities including comprehensive medication management, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic monitoring, medication regimen assessment, adverse drug event (ADE) surveillance, and patient and staff education related to critical care
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding medication selection, dosing, monitoring, interactions, and therapeutic outcomes
• Evaluate medication therapy for critically ill patients and identify opportunities to optimize treatment based on patient-specific factors, disease state, organ function, laboratory values, and clinical response
• Provide specialized pharmacotherapy support for conditions commonly encountered in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, including sepsis, respiratory failure, hemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, and other critical illnesses
• Support appropriate antimicrobial therapy, sedation and analgesia, anticoagulation, vasopressor therapy, and other critical care medication management needs
• Document clinical interventions and patient care activities accurately and consistently
• Promote appropriate formulary use and coordinate the procurement of non-formulary drugs when clinically necessary
• Develop advanced clinical services, including pharmacy-managed protocols and medication use management programs - clinical guidelines, critical pathways, disease management, and drug use programs
• Partner with Pharmacy leadership on quality assurance initiatives, clinical pathway development, medication safety, and departmental readiness for regulatory audits
• Coordinate and participate in drug utilization initiatives and develop department-wide programs ensuring medication use is monitored relative to patient age, weight, sex, organ function, and disease state
• Prepare and present information for committees such as Adverse Drug Reactions, Medication Use Indicators, Medication Errors, and other Pharmacy or hospital committees
• Serve as a mentor and preceptor to staff pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other healthcare learners through example, training, and education
• Serve as an educational resource - developing and presenting programs that promote safe, effective, and cost-efficient critical care medication therapy for pharmacy and hospital staff
• Review pharmacy and organizational policies and procedures related to medication use and critical care services
• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics, HIPAA, and applicable regulatory requirements; maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited School of Pharmacy
• Completion of a PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency, or equivalent experience
• Registration as a pharmacist in the District of Columbia, or eligibility for registration through reciprocity

Preferred Qualifications

• Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) certification in Critical Care Pharmacy

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children - up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 - when it operated as Freedmen's Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere - HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Position Details

Department Pharmacy Inpatient Services Reports To Director, Pharmacy Services FLSA Status Exempt Schedule Full-Time | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (40 hours/week)

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. Pay range: $157,000 - $185,500 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.