Medication Safety Pharmacist

WVU Medicine; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BMC Berkeley Medical Center is seeking a Medication Safety Pharmacist to lead and advance medication-use safety initiatives at both Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center. You will identify and mitigate medication-related risks, analyze errors and near misses, and develop evidence-based strategies to prevent recurrence.

The role requires an active pharmacist license and readiness to coordinate with multiple departments to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical pharmacy practice and medication safety initiatives.
• Strong communication with clinicians and staff.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor drug therapy and participate in rounds.
• Provide leadership and patient care in assigned areas.
• Educate staff and physicians on medication use and safety.
• Review orders for accuracy and appropriateness.
• Contribute to medication-use evaluation and quality improvement.
• Document adverse drug events and near misses.
• Lead and advance medication-use safety initiatives at Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers.

Skills

Time management skills

Verbal communication

Teamwork skills

Education

Pharm.D from ACPE

Tools

None

Job description

Welcome! We’re excited you’re considering an opportunity with us!

Below, you’ll find other important information about this position.

Responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical care at West Virginia University Hospitals through involvement in direct patient care, operational, education and administrative activities, and assumes a leadership role in the profession of pharmacy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Must possess current licensure as required by state board where services will be provided:
   WV: Pharmacist license through the West Virginia State Board of Pharmacy
   PA: Pharmacist license through the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy
   MD: Pharmacist license through the Maryland Board of Pharmacy
   OH: Pharmacist license through the Ohio Board of Pharmacy
2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 60 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Experience in at least ONE of the following areas:
   Completion of a PGY-2 Residency in an applicable clinical field
   Completion of a PGY-1 Residency AND Board Certified in an applicable clinical field
   Completion of a PGY-1 Residency AND three years of relevant pharmacist experience
   Three (3) years of relevant pharmacist experience AND Board Certified in an applicable clinical field.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Monitors drug therapy of patients by participating in medical rounds or routinely evaluating the patient’s medication regimen, medical problems, laboratory data, and special procedures.

2. Provides leadership and care for patients in assigned areas of responsibility; guides providers and patients on the best practices and established guidelines for care and assures safe and effective use of drugs through clinical involvement.

3. Assists nursing and other disciplines or departments in admission and discharge planning and patient education related to the appropriate use of medication.

4. Provides drug information and educational programs to the medical and nursing staffs, other health care practitioners, and pharmacy staff.

5. Maintains professional competence by attending and presenting at conferences, continuing educational programs, reading current professional literature and publishing clinical or practice-related experience or research.

6. Participates in administrative, quality assurance, performance improvement, and clinical research activities within the department.

7. Participates in medication use evaluations

8. Reviews each order to verify and confirm accuracy and appropriateness.

9. Evaluates compliance with established medication safety procedures.

10. Offers suggestions to improve medication safety based on best practice (i.e. ISMP).

11. Routinely documents medication errors, unsafe conditions, or near misses.

12. Promotes an environment with a constant focus on medication safety.

13. Dispenses medications from the provider’s order.

14. Ensures that policies and procedures related to drug distribution are followed.

15. Responsible for drug use control in assigned service areas.

16. Identifies problems related to aspects of drug use control and offers constructive ideas for resolution.

17. Assumes responsibility for and makes decisions related to the provision of pharmaceutical services in assigned service area.

18. Detects, reports, and helps to minimize or manage adverse drug reactions and medication errors.

19. Participates in the management of acute and chronic disease states, medical emergencies, and adverse drug reactions.

20. Communicates relevant findings and recommendations and documents them in the clinical information system.

21. Ensures that necessary records are appropriately maintained according to legal requirements and hospital policies and procedures.

22. Supervises technicians in drug preparation and distribution duties.

23. Provides objective information on the performance of co-workers (both within and outside of the pharmacy department) to facilitate performance management.

24. Participates in the orientation and education of pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and/or new department employees.

25. Participates in educational and scholarly activities related to drug therapy to enhance personal knowledge as well as that of other health professionals at West Virginia University Hospitals.

26. Participates in planning and implementing changes in the pharmacy and improves productivity through participation in staff meetings and projects.

27. Routinely completes and submits written assignments in a timely manner, continuing education documentation, and other items as assigned.

28. Successfully completes annual clinical competency evaluations.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Walk and stand for long periods of time

2. Must be able to lift 30 pounds and push 50 pounds

3. Dexterity required to finger, handle, and reach

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Cognizant of environmental factors.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Time management skills

2. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills

3. Teamwork skills

Additional Job Description:

The Medication Safety Pharmacist will be responsible for leading and advancing medication-use safety initiatives at both Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center. This role identifies, evaluates, and mitigates medication-related risks; analyzes medication errors and near misses; and develops evidence-based strategies to prevent recurrence.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

BMC Berkeley Medical Center

Cost Center:

230 BMC Pharmacy

Address:

2500 Hospital Drive

Martinsburg

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively “WVUHS”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.