Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
Job Description
Reports to:
Clinical Coordinator
Pay Grade:
N/A
Department/Location:
By Assignment
FLSA Classification:
Non-Exempt
Job Summary
An Ambulatory Care Pharmacist delivers comprehensive pharmaceutical care in an outpatient setting, with an emphasis on optimizing medication management for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and more. They collaborate closely with healthcare teams to create individualized care plans, monitor patient outcomes, and implement clinical interventions to improve therapy efficacy and safety. Key responsibilities include educating patients on medication adherence, conducting medication reconciliations, and adjusting therapies based on lab results and clinical guidelines. This role demands excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of chronic disease management, and the ability to work effectively with other healthcare providers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Include the following and other duties as assigned:
- Serve as the clinical lead for pharmacy-related operations, overseeing medication management processes and ensuring safe, effective patient care.
- Ensure adherence to established clinical protocols, policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards, implementing corrective action when necessary.
- Develop, implement, and manage individualized patient care plans through collaboration with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Review, optimize, monitor, and adjust medication regimens for acute and chronic conditions under collaborative practice agreements, including medication titration, laboratory monitoring, and assessment of efficacy, safety, and adherence.
- Conduct comprehensive medication reviews and provide routine follow-up care to evaluate patient progress, medication adherence, treatment outcomes, and potential adverse effects.
- Oversee medication reconciliation, administration, storage, and transitions of care; maintain accurate medication records; identify and resolve medication discrepancies; and promote medication safety.
- Monitor, document, and report adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and near misses, implementing strategies to reduce medication-related risks and improve patient safety.
- Educate and counsel patients on medication use, disease management, preventive care, lifestyle modifications, smoking cessation, and other wellness strategies to improve health outcomes.
- Provide immunizations and other preventive health services in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and clinical guidelines.
- Perform outreach activities to support patient engagement, access to care, and continuity of treatment.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation of patient care, interventions, medication changes, and clinical outcomes within the electronic health record (EHR).
- Participate in quality improvement, clinical research, and evidence-based practice initiatives to enhance patient care and organizational performance.
- Develop and deliver medication-related training, in-services, protocols, and continuing education programs for healthcare professionals, and precept student pharmacists, residents, and interns.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, pharmacy practice standards, controlled substance requirements, and applicable clinical guidelines.
Core Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Clinical Knowledge and Skills:
Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Comprehensive knowledge of drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic uses for managing chronic conditions.
- Diagnostic Skills: Ability to interpret lab results and vital signs to guide medication therapy decisions, with an understanding of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions and strategies to identify, prevent, and manage adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors.
- Chronic Disease Management: Expertise in treatment guidelines and medication regimens for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
- Behavioral Health: Foundational competency in the primary care management of common psychiatric conditions including screening, medication selection and monitoring, and motivational interviewing to support adherence and lifestyle modification.
- Geriatrics and Special Populations: Knowledge of medication management for elderly patients and those with unique health needs.
- Substance Use Disorders: Foundational competency in the primary care management of substance use disorders, including screening and brief intervention, medication-assisted treatment for opioid, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders, and coordination with counseling and recovery support services.
- Immunizations: Knowledge of vaccination schedules, administration techniques, and contraindications, with competency in administering vaccines and other preventive care services.
- Clinical Guidelines & Compliance: Familiarity with evidence-based clinical guidelines (e.g., ACC/AHA, ADA), federal and state pharmacy regulations, HIPAA, and controlled substance requirements, as well as quality improvement and clinical research methodologies.
- Health Promotion: Skilled in providing tailored medication counseling and lifestyle advice, including preventive health strategies such as smoking cessation and weight management, in an accessible and patient-friendly manner.
- Patient-Centered Care: Ability to deliver personalized, respectful care that accounts for patient preferences, health literacy, and social determinants of health.
- Documentation: Proficient in navigating EHR systems to maintain accurate clinical records and support clinical decision-making, with careful review of medication orders and patient histories to prevent errors.
Professional and Interpersonal Skills:
- Leadership: Ability to precept PharmD students on introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences, mentor learners from other health professions programs, and supervise pharmacy technicians and support staff within the care team.
- Team Collaboration: Proficient in building rapport with patients and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
- Research Application: Skilled in interpreting clinical research and applying findings to patient care.
- Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze clinical data and make sound decisions under uncertainty.
- Effective Communication: Clear communication with patients and healthcare teams regarding treatment plans.
- Time Management & Adaptability: Ability to efficiently manage multiple patients, prioritize tasks, and quickly adjust care plans based on changing patient conditions.
- Emotional Resilience: Ability to handle emotionally challenging situations with professionalism.
Documentation, Compliance & Technology
Demonstrates the ability to maintain accurate records, safeguard confidential information, and utilize technology to support program operations and compliance.
- Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and timely documentation, reports, and program records.
- Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, and HIPAA standards.
- Proficiency in using Google Workspace and other electronic documentation systems, including HMIS or similar databases.
- Ability to maintain accurate records, review documentation for completeness, and identify discrepancies requiring follow-up.
Cultural Responsiveness & Professionalism
Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with diverse populations while promoting dignity, equity, inclusion, and professional conduct.
- Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
- Understanding of systemic barriers affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
- Ability to provide services with empathy, professionalism, respect, and a nonjudgmental approach.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, participant empowerment, and recovery-oriented practices.
In addition to job-specific competencies, all Symba Center employees are expected to demonstrate the following core competencies to align with the Company’s culture and core values.
Mission & Values AlignmentDemonstrates commitment to Symba Center’s mission, values, and community outcomes in day-to-day decisions. Behavioral indicators:
- Connects personal work outputs to organizational impact.
- Prioritizes community benefit over convenience or ego.
- Uses Symba’s values in tradeoff decisions (e.g., speed vs. quality vs. equity).
Equity, Inclusion & Cultural Humility
Acts to reduce bias, increase access, and respect diverse lived experiences; seeks to understand rather than assume. Behavioral indicators:
- Uses inclusive language and practices; adapts communication styles.
- Anticipates barriers for underserved stakeholders and designs equitable solutions.
- Reflects on personal biases and invites feedback; elevates underrepresented voices.
Ethics, Safeguarding, & Compliance
Upholds legal/organizational standards, protects vulnerable populations, and reports concerns promptly. Behavioral indicators:
- Protects confidentiality.
- Follows mandatory reporting and risk protocols without delay.
- Flags conflicts of interest; chooses ethical paths even when inconvenient.
Communication & Collaboration
Shares information clearly and timely; builds trust and outcomes through teamwork. Behavioral indicators:
- Tailors messages to audience (community, funders, coworkers).
- Practices active listening; clarifies assumptions and decisions.
- Escalates issues constructively; closes the loop on commitments.
Service Mindset & Relational Stewardship
Anticipates stakeholder needs; nurtures relationships that advance impact. Behavioral indicators:
- Sets and meets expectations; follows through reliably.
- Treats every stakeholder with dignity; handles complaints gracefully.
- Balances responsiveness with boundaries and sustainability.
Operational Excellence & Accountability
Manages time, resources, and processes with integrity and discipline. Behavioral indicators:
- Meets deadlines; communicates risks early.
- Follows standard operating procedures (SOPs); improves them over time.
- Owns outcomes; corrects mistakes quickly.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, and moving throughout the facility during the course of a shift. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with participants, staff, community partners, and emergency responders, including the ability to exchange accurate information in person and by telephone. The role also requires regular use of computers, tablets, telephones, and other office equipment. The employee must possess sufficient visual acuity to review written documentation, enter data into electronic systems, observe participant activities, and maintain awareness of conditions throughout the facility. Manual dexterity is required to operate office equipment, handle participant belongings and supplies, and complete documentation tasks. This position frequently requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling items weighing up to 25 pounds and may occasionally require moving or lifting items weighing more than 25 pounds.
The work environment includes a combination of office, congregate care, and transitional housing settings. Employees routinely interact with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and other complex challenges. The role requires the ability to respond appropriately to emergencies, behavioral incidents, and crisis situations.
The position may require extended periods of walking throughout the facility and occasional community-based activities or outreach efforts. Employees must be able to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic environment while maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, and participant-centered support.
Education and Experience
This position requires the following education and experience:
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school is required. A minimum of one year of experience in ambulatory care or a similar clinical setting or completion of a PGY1 is required.
The Company, at its sole discretion and on a non-precedent setting basis, may determine that a candidate/employee with less than the required year(s) of experience/education is qualified and eligible for placement in this role because of education and/or demonstrated competencies and proficiency.
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
This position requires the following certifications, licenses, and/or registrations:
- An active, unrestricted California pharmacist license is required.
- Valid, unrestricted California driver’s license required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration, if required under a Collaborative Practice Agreement and applicable state and federal regulations.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross preferred.
- Board certification in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP) is preferred.
- Advanced Practice Pharmacist (APh) designation is preferred.
Other Qualifications
Ability to work flexible hours, as required, including weekends and holidays.
Pay: $67.50 - $69.00 per hour
Experience:
- Ambulatory Care: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- California Pharmacist Licensure (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Victorville, CA 92394 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
