Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I - Palliative Care

MedStar Health; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 118,331 - 230,172; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Washington, DC is seeking a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I for Palliative Care. This role involves providing specialized patient care services, guiding pharmacy staff, and participating in quality improvement efforts. Candidates should have a PharmD degree, significant hospital experience (5-7 years), and a current DC pharmacist license. The position offers a competitive salary range of $118,331 - $230,172.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of hospital experience, with at least 4 years in a specialized area.
• Completion of PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residency or PGY-1 plus 2 years of direct patient care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care pharmacy services for specialized patient populations.
• Evaluate therapeutic options and monitor drug therapy.
• Participate in patient care rounds and develop therapeutic plans.
• Ensure compliance with clinical practice guidelines and drug policies.

Skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Basic computer skills

Education

Doctoral degree in Pharmacy (PharmD)

Job description

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I - Palliative Care

We are actively recruiting for a patient-focused Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I to join our Palliative Care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Under limited supervision, provides a higher level of direct patient care pharmacy services for an assigned, specialized patient population to assure adequate patient care according to professional standards and practices. Advises/consults with patients and their families and with the medical and nursing staff. Participates in research and drug use outcomes management programs within specialty area; instructs and trains pharmacy residents and students. Acts as a mentor to clinical pharmacists.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates therapeutic options and provides clinical guidance to staff, clinical level I and II pharmacists, residents, and residents. Monitors drug therapy and develops patient care plans of assigned patients.
• Evaluates medication orders for accuracy and thoroughness. Resolves discrepancies of medication orders through communication with the physician, clinical pharmacist, or nursing staff and dispenses medication. Enters and verifies computer entries and data for drug orders as needed.
• Provides functional supervision for support personnel. Monitors attendance and work quality, organizes and prioritizes resources based on workload and productivity, and directs the workflow of support personnel. Ensures departmental standards and time frames are met.
• Participates autonomously in-patient care rounds. Reviews patient specific data to evaluate patient's status and medication needs and develops a therapeutic plan. Counsels/educates patient on their medications e.g. to correct dosing schedule and duplicate therapy.
• Responds to evaluative and/or non-evaluative drug information requests.
• Assures compliance of prescribers with clinical practice guidelines and other drug policies or third-party prescription benefit management procedures, minimizes non-formulary drug use, eliminates therapeutic duplication. Makes recommendations for appropriate alternative medications, duplicate therapy and dosage changes.
• Takes a leadership role in continuous quality improvement efforts and represents the department as an interdisciplinary interface in the assigned specialty areas.
• Participates in the development of drug and disease state-based clinical practice guidelines that also influence clinical practice. This responsibility includes providing biomedical literature evaluations to various other committees as needed. These evaluations often require detailed analysis and evaluation of multiple references, as well as the biomedical literature.
• Writes, reviews, and presents high-quality, evidence-based documents such as newsletters, SBARs, therapeutic interchanges, drug monographs, class reviews, and drug shortage mitigation strategies among others, ensuring time-sensitive completion and accuracy of clinical content.
• Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents on clinical rotation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Doctoral degree in Pharmacy (PharmD) or equivalent Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of Pharmacy required

Experience

• 5-7 years of hospital experience (with at least 4 years in a specialized area) required, or completion of PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residency required, or completion of a PGY-1 plus 2 years of direct patient care experience in a specialized area required

Licenses and Certifications

• PHARMD - Licensed Pharmacist in the District of Columbia required
• Board certification in area of specialty required. Recent PGY2 residents would have one year from eligibility to obtain board certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills preferred.

This position has a hiring range of $118,331 - $230,172