Pharmacy Clinical Specialist - Pharmacy - Full Time

MAIN FUNCTION

Ensures that the Pharmacy Department provides optimal clinical services on a daily basis. Facilitates the development, implementation, and maintenance of systems that promote desirable patient outcomes through the use of safe, cost-effective drug therapies.

EDUCATION

• Graduation from an ACPE accredited School of Pharmacy with a PharmD or with an advance degree (Pharm D. or MS).
• Board certification or residency program experience preferred.

LICENSES

Currently licensed to practice Pharmacy in the state of current practice as appropriate, including the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

EXPERIENCE

At least one year of experience in a clinical practice setting is preferred, in order to

• acquire a higher level of professional knowledge in pharmacy
• develop specific expertise in services including education, quality improvement, and drug therapy monitoring
• acquire in-depth knowledge of departmental policy and procedures
• develop suitable supervisory and interpersonal skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients according to established policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Develops or participates in the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines for clinical pharmacy activities throughout the hospital.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of treatment guidelines, protocols, formulary changes, and critical pathways as approved by appropriate committees.
• Facilitates the identification, resolution, implementation, and communication of cost-effective medication use issues in collaboration with the medical staff.
• Supports the pharmacy’s pharmacoeconomic efforts. Reviews the use of targeted medications for compliance with current pharmacoeconomic programs.
• Provides clinical consultation and clarification to practitioners. Suggest appropriate, cost-effective therapeutic alternatives to medical staff as needed.
• Monitors drug therapy regimens for contraindications, interactions, adverse drug events, and appropriateness of drug and dose.
• Provides education and information on pharmaceutical care and drug therapy.
• Provides accurate, adequate, and timely drug information to the professional staff.
• Provides training and education to pharmacists regarding pharmaceutical care and pharmacoeconomics.
• Supervises and instructs pharmacists and pharmacy students.
• Prepares and presents drug reviews, DUE criteria, antibiotic sensitivity reports, adverse drug reactions reports, and pharmacy interventions summary to P & T.
• Reads and evaluates the medical literature for studies supporting the pharmaceutical care and pharmacoeconomic programs.
• Participates in system and community education programs.
• Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department.
• Reviews the performance and documentation of clinical activities of all pharmacists.
• Coordinates polices and procedures for clinical activities.
• Prepares reports on pharmaceutical care and pharmacoeconomic activities.
• Participates in the QI activities of the department.
• Establishes productive, collaborative relationships with staff members.
• Maintains competence required for current job position.
• Maintains current pharmacy licensure.
• Attends pharmacy staff meetings.
• Attends orientation, education, and training programs.
• Completes all competence/ skills assessment requirements.

OTHER DUTIES

• Assists in the direction of staff pharmacists as required to ensure proper handling, preparation, and prompt dispensing of medications.

COMPETENCIES

The clinical specialist must demonstrate growth and development of knowledge required to access data reflective of the patients status, interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements and to provide the pharmaceutical care needed, appropriate to the age of the patient and in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures. Examples may include:

• have completed the ASHP Clinical Skills Program Module.
• demonstrate competency in monitoring renal function and making dosage adjustments based on creatinine clearance.
• demonstrate competency in monitoring drug regimens and making recommendations in the following areas: antibiotic utilization, therapeutic duplication, and unnecessary medication use.

• The clinical specialist must be adept in documentation of clinical activities. The clinical specialist must demonstrate age-specific communication skills.
• Patient Ages: The pharmacist must demonstrate the ability to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Patient Types: The pharmacist must demonstrate the ability to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of acute care, intensive care, psychiatric care, oncology, and ambulatory patients.

COMPLIANCE

Pharmacy staff are responsible for ensuring that all departmental and institutional aspects of regulatory compliance are adhered to. The employee must comply with all federal and state standards, with an emphasis on preventing fraud and abuse.

update 10-9-25

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