Pharmacy Practice Specialist - Informatics -Community Connect

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, seeks a full-time Pharmacy Practice Specialist in Informatics to join the pharmacy IT team. The role focuses on the safe use of Epic EHR systems and supports Community Connect program across regional sites.

You will design, develop, and implement medication-use information systems, support clinicians, provide education, and collaborate to improve oncology workflows and patient safety, with some travel to sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Licensure as a Pharmacist by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy required by start date
• ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency with 2 years post-graduate experience or five years in a complex multi-disciplinary environment
• Experience with oncology workflows and Epic oncology modules is highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Optimize clinical information system processes and ensure safe medication-use workflows.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining medication-use information systems.
• Educate Pharmacy Practice Residents and students on EHR use and system changes.
• Collaborate with pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff to improve patient care and safety.
• Monitor data quality and support regulatory compliance in the department.

Skills

EHR proficiency

Pharmacy practice

Oncology knowledge

Education/teaching

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Pharmacy degree (PharmD)

Licensed Pharmacist in Iowa

Tools

Epic Willow Inpatient

Epic Willow Ambulatory

Epic Cognito

Epic Willow Inventory

Job description

Pharmacy Practice Specialist - Informatics -Community Connect

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a full-time Pharmacy Practice Specialist to join the pharmacy IT team. The Informatics Specialist is an expert that has a strong foundation in utilization of an electronic health record in practice and a responsibility for ensuring an environment of safe quality care. This position will support the University of Iowa Healthcare Community Connect program which extends our Epic applications to regional hospitals and clinics. This Pharmacy Practice Specialist (PPS) in Informatics will be responsible for effective process design, development, and implementation of the Electronic Health Record and Clinical Decision Support. This role will support pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other clinicians as the resource for requests related to information system changes and medication use with a specific focus on oncology pharmacy practice. This position will predominantly be assisting Epic Beacon and Willow initiatives at CCI sites. This position may require occasional travel.

Position Responsibilities:

• Pharmaceutical Care Operations
  • Optimization of the process flow and communication of professional practices.
  • Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the medication use information systems.
  • Work with members of the pharmacy team to implement systems for patient care.
  • Assist with answering help desk tickets and phone calls.
• Provide Education
  • Participate in and oversee the educational experiences of Pharmacy Practice Residents and students from the College of Pharmacy.
  • Education of new pharmacy staff on the use of the electronic health record/medication use systems
  • Provide education related to upgrades and/or other changes to medication use systems
  • Provide education related to other information system technology utilized in the department.
• Health Care System Improvement
  • Collaborate with other hospital departments/providers to evaluate, develop and implement needed patient services.
  • Ensure professional quality control standards are maintained through control of the medication use process.
  • Evaluate problems/concerns identified by staff to determine a safe and effective resolution.
  • Assist with development of mechanisms to monitor charges and other financial data from the computer system.
  • Participate in the development and monitoring of pharmacy practice standards for the department of pharmacy.
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of new programs and services.
• Compliance with Internal Policies and External Regulations for Safe and Effective Care Delivery and Health Profession Education
  • Assist with utilizing systems to help ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Monitoring of data to ensure accuracy.
• Planning: Tactical, Strategic
  • Monitors progress of work against plan as required to meet objectives.
  • Reports variances and makes agreed-upon correction.
  • Under guidance, develops tactical plan for own direct responsibility.
  • Anticipates and adapts to plan changes.
• Relationship Management
  • Describes the roles and responsibilities in a collaborative working relationship.
  • Alerts own team to problems in functionality or end-user satisfaction.
  • Ensures prompt and effective response to requests and interactions from end-users
  • Works with end-users to address critical issues and resolve major problems.
• Accountability
  • Creates a team environment of accountability and commitment for achieving area specific goals.
  • Applies available tools and resources to work efficiently.
  • Develops and applies project selection and resource allocation criteria with the team.
• Project Management
  • Gather data and assess need for new services, including but not limited to, new technology, equipment, facilities and clinical services, to meet patient care and safety needs.
  • Project planning, development and design, budgeting, staffing, staff education/communication.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Completes and maintains certification related to the computer system (e.g., Epic Willow Inpatient, Epic Willow Ambulatory, Epic Cognito, Epic Willow Inventory, etc.).
• Creates a team environment of accountability and commitment for reaching project goals.
• Applies available tools and resources to work efficiently.
• Helps others identify and work around problems that could impede progress.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in collecting and evaluating data to identify drug use problems.
• Implements interventions to solve drug use problems and improve further drug use.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Licensure as a Pharmacist by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is required by start date

Experience Requirements:

• Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency with 2 years’ post-graduate experience or five years of practice experience in a complex multi-disciplinary healthcare environment
• Job related experience with and/or commitment to service excellence
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability and willingness to act as a preceptor

Desired Qualifications:

• Job related experience in adult and/or pediatric pharmacy practice, including board certification, is highly desirable
• Job related experience with automation/technology project management and Epic electronic health record is highly desirable
• Current Epic Willow Inpatient, Epic Willow Ambulatory, or Epic Willow Inventory certification is highly desirable
• Experience supporting oncology workflows within Epic Willow, Beacon, or related clinical informatics applications preferred. Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize oncology treatment plans, clinical decision support, medication-use processes, and system enhancements that improve patient safety and operational efficiency.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact Teresa Walker at [e-mail]

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Pharmacy Specialist
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

Contact Information

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .