About The Role

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine , as a Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator in Investigational Drug Services (IDS).

IDS Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators are registered pharmacists who serve as clinicians and program leaders dedicated to supporting medication use systems and delivery of optimal medication therapy used in clinical trials. Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators are responsible for coordinating IDS pharmacy services, research drug utilization, and pharmacy operations. They ensure that IDS pharmacy practice and operations, and medication use systems are aligned with IDS best practices and pharmacy and research regulatory standards.

Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators may have different assignments or functional roles based on experience, training, and skills. These assignments may include operational services, direct patient care, or administrative leadership. Operational responsibilities include overseeing pharmacy operational areas, improving processes and workflows at the main campus, and supporting satellite pharmacy sites with research activity. This could also include utilization of pharmacy automation, establishing and standardizing research medication dispensing programs, and supervision of pharmacy staff activities. Direct patient care responsibilities include providing clinical pharmacy services and integrated pharmacy operational services in a research setting in collaboration with pharmacists, physicians, nurses, study coordinators, research managers, and other research or hospital personnel. They also work with interdisciplinary programs to establish medication use systems for clinical research throughout the institution. Administrative leadership responsibilities include directly overseeing medication use and safety systems, improving patient quality and outcomes programs, and assuring regulatory compliance.

Regardless of functional role, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators serve as departmental resource persons and liaisons to clinical and research personnel. They work closely with peers and healthcare stakeholders to establish infrastructures used within the department and throughout the medical center for clinical research in various disease states and assure operational efficiency and clinical quality. Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators actively identify practice related issues, evaluate and facilitate improvement projects and quality initiatives, and provide education as needed to advance practice. They also facilitate the development of student, resident, and pharmacist training experiences and competencies and serve as primary preceptors for doctor of pharmacy students and pharmacy residents. Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators work collaboratively with peers and members of the management team to set and model the standard for excellence for pharmacy practice.

Required Qualifications

Graduate of an ACPE accredited College of Pharmacy.
ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency
Board Certification in area of expertise is required within 18 months of hire
Clinical pharmacy experience (2-3 years) in a hospital setting required (4-6 years required if no PGY-2 residency).
Exceptional aptitude or knowledge may be considered in lieu of experience. Extensive clinical experience and development may be considered in lieu of formal training.
Pharmacy leadership experience required, with formal leadership training or supervisory experience preferred.
Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and service.
Knowledge of and proficiency with general hospital operations and regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of computers (word processing etc.), technology, and automation systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnel.
Ability to define departmental or program problems/needs and associated solutions.
Ability to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activities.
Significant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient centered care.
Significant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, specialty medication therapy management, and specialty evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignments.
Strong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential training.
Strong project and change management skills.
Personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate effectively within the institution and advance the profession and practice of pharmacy.
Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators practice pharmacy at UCMC under the authority bestowed to them by the UCMC Pharmacist in Charge as licensed according to the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act (225 ILCS 85/).
IDS Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators report directly to IDS Pharmacy Manager within the Department of Pharmacy Services and work collaboratively with administrative staff, pharmacist staff, and technical staff to support department initiatives.
IDS Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators have frequent interactions with physicians, nurses, study coordinators, research nurses, research managers, other members of the healthcare team, research team, students, residents, and external professional groups.
Clinical Pharmacy Coordinators supervise all support staff (i.e. pharmacy technicians) as needed during the normal course of the work day.