Pharmacy Practice Specialist - Specialty Pharmacy Services

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a full-time Pharmacy Practice Specialist to join our Specialty Pharmacy team. The Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Specialist provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care services to patients seen in UI Healthcare Ambulatory Care Pharmacies and clinics and by those served through the UIHC Specialty Pharmacy Services Program. The Pharmacy Practice Specialist is intended to serve as a leader for quality initiatives, including serving as chair for the Quality Committee and performing all related duties including but not limited to: development of quality improvement projects, root cause analysis of medication errors, providing feedback and coaching to staff regarding errors, addressing patient and staff concerns, and reporting of quality metrics. This individual will serve as a resource for pharmacy staff and multi-disciplinary teams as he/she carries out the Department's and UIHC's tripartite missions of patient care, teaching, and research, both in the Ambulatory Care Pharmacy and in those ambulatory clinics where pharmaceutical care is directly provided.

The individual will provide patient education and patient care, assist with dispensing functions, and improve processes and resources for UIHC Pharmacy Staff in current and new therapeutic areas. Pharmacy Practice Specialists serve as role models for other Department of Pharmaceutical Care staff, residents, and students who look to improve their own professional capabilities and level of services, particularly in the provision and expansion of ambulatory pharmacy services.

Position Responsibilities:

Provides Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) on clinic-administered medications and take-home/shipped prescription orders.

* Completes a comprehensive patient assessment which may include a physical assessment, evaluation of the patient's medications, and an evaluation of the patient's medical history.

* Evaluates all prescription orders to ensure the appropriateness of the following:

* Indication for use

* Dose

* Route of administration

* Drug interactions

* Dose adjustments for organ dysfunction

* Physical and therapeutic incompatibilities

* Drug-induced side effects and adverse reactions

* Potential drug misuse or abuse

* Use of the most cost-effective therapy

* Duplicate therapy

* Ensures pharmacokinetic assessment of drug dosing on targeted patients through:

* Clinical assessment of patients and desired therapeutic endpoints

* Preparation of formal dosing recommendations

* Communicates with prescribers about patient medication needs.

* Conducts review of patient profiles and updates as needed based upon findings at time of patient visit.

* Provides appropriate drug information to other healthcare professionals.

* Confirms/clarifies (assesses) all patient drug allergies noted in the medical record.

* Participates in collecting and documenting medication histories on patients.

* Evaluates patient compliance with prescribed medication therapy and identifies problems that may lead to partial or noncompliance.

* Utilizes appropriate resources and coordinates the resolution of financial concerns/burdens with department financial counselors.

Documents All Patient Care Activities Performed.

The active participation of the pharmacist as a member of the healthcare team requires efficient communication of activities to all those who participate in the care of patients. Provision of pharmacy-related services requires the sharing of information with other members of the team through documentation within the patient medical record and other on-line reporting systems as well as through intradepartmental channels which provide adequate documentation of such services to departmental and hospital administrative personnel.

* Documents all patient drug allergies and patient-specific height and weight information.

* Documents medication histories.

* Documents the provision of medication counseling to patients.

* Documents interventions with prescribers and other healthcare providers.

* Documents patient interactions - those that occur in the clinic and when the patient is located elsewhere (e.g., at home, as an inpatient, in the Ambulatory Care Pharmacy).

* Documents applicable drug dosing recommendations made to prescribers.

* Documents applicable Drug Use Evaluation Program activities.

* Documents steps taken to identify, evaluate, or avoid adverse drug reactions.

Coordinates Patient Communications and Interactions

The pharmacist explains to patients with targeted needs the pharmaceutical care services they receive and the value of these services in ensuring appropriate continuity of care and proper medication utilization. The pharmacy practice specialist takes a leading role in ensuring the appropriate coordination of services for both UIHC and non-UIHC specialty patients.

* Takes medication history.

* Discusses and confirms patient's drug allergy history.

* Conducts patient teaching classes (where appropriate).

* Provides medication counseling.

* Anticipates patient needs and answers patient questions as required.

* Communicates patient information to local healthcare providers involved with the patient's care to ensure appropriate continuity of care.

* Provides support for Specialty Pharmacy support teams in dealing with complex patient issues.

* Uses standard documentation to record Specialty Pharmacy Services enrollment information and other relevant information in the EHR.

Facilitates Operational Initiatives Which Lead to Enhanced Patient Care Services

The pharmacy practice specialist must assume the role of patient advocate for all issues associated with drug therapy. The pharmacy practice specialist must position him/herself so to positively influence therapeutic decisions which will affect patients and their care. Participation in hospital-wide programs intended to improve care (e.g., the Drug Use Evaluation Program and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program) serves as a valuable quality-of-service surveillance tool and promotes healthcare provider education.

* Serves as a lead for workflow development and refinement UI Specialty Pharmacy Teams

* Facilitates optimization of call center staff with Specialty Pharmacy Services' management.

* Follows-up, including staff coaching, and improves on any medication system problems, such as:

* Unclear or inappropriate prescription orders

* Drug therapy which is not most cost effective

* Prescription order for non-formulary products

* Missing or untimely medication doses

* Carries out, as appropriate, Medication Use Evaluation Program initiatives through active prescriber intervention and education.

* Serves and leads intra- and interdepartmental committees, task forces, and teams as required.

* Facilitates completion of monthly clinic audits as assigned by the supervisor.

* Completes and maintains compliance with all competencies and educational requirements.

* Leads Specialty Quality Committee initiatives to enhance patient care and safety.

* Ensure compliance of SPS with URAC and JCAHO accreditation standards and other regulatory requirements.

Provides Educational Services

An important responsibility of the clinical pharmacist is the education of students, fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate use. New and future pharmacy practitioners are continually exposed to the day-to-day activities of the practicing clinical pharmacist; thus, the clinical pharmacist must serve as a role model for these staff and students. The educational process must also transcend professional boundaries, as the clinical pharmacist interacts with and serves as an information resource for other members of the health care team. Lastly, the clinical pharmacist takes great care to instruct all patients about the need for and appropriate use of prescribed medications.

* Serves as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents on clinical rotations sponsored by the UIHC Department of Pharmaceutical Care.

* Presents inservice educational programs to staff nurses, physicians, and other colleagues on the healthcare team.

* Presents at and/or participates in other educational programs sponsored by the Department of Pharmaceutical Care, the College of Pharmacy, other UIHC or UI departments, and state and national organizations.

* Conducts educational classes for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents as appropriate.

* Conducts patient education classes about the proper use of medications as appropriate.

* Serves as mentor and role model for other pharmacist practitioners within the department, particularly those who provide ambulatory care services.

* Assists in the training of new staff members.

Facilitates Continuity of Care

The pharmacist participates in the facilitation of patient transfer from the inpatient to the outpatient setting, as well as in ensuring continuity of patient care for chronic drug therapies. Assessment of adherence issues and solutions is completed on an on-going basis.

Participates in Research

The pharmacist participates in research activities as appropriate, including providing support for Investigational Drug Service prescriptions and orders. This research may take many forms, including developmental, evaluative, and/or clinical research. It may be intradepartmental or interdisciplinary in format. The presentation and/or publication of research findings are encouraged.

Education Requirements:

* Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

* Current licensure by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners is required. Includes those eligible for obtaining this licensure.

Experience Requirements:

* Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency OR 2 years' experience in a complex multi-disciplinary healthcare environment.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

* Job related experience with and/or commitment to service excellence.

* Job related experience with and/or commitment to diversity in the work environment.

Desired Qualifications:

* Experience in Specialty Pharmacy or certification as a Certified Specialty Pharmacist is desirable.

* Knowledge and working experience with URAC and The Joint Commission accreditation standards is desirable.

* Board certification in Ambulatory Care or Pharmacotherapy is highly desirable.

* Satisfactory completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY2 residency in Ambulatory Care or Specialty Pharmacy is highly desirable.

* Able to work independently, prioritize multiple stakeholders and tasks, manage details, and deliver results in an environment with competing demands.

* Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others.

Position and Application details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

* Resume

* Cover Letter

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 Jenna Lueth at [email protected]

Additional Information

* Classification Title: Pharmacy Specialist

* Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific

* Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

* Pay Level: 6B

Contact Information

* Organization: Healthcare

* Contact Name: Jenna Lueth

* Contact Email: [email protected]