The information described in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Other information:
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive Clinical Pharmacy Services to patients. To work collaboratively with healthcare providers to ensure the safe and effective management of medication therapy. The Clinical Pharmacist participates in all aspects of the medication-use system to provide individualized pharmaceutical care and to help ensure quality outcomes for patients. Responsible for the provision of prospective and concurrent evaluation of pharmacotherapy with an emphasis on the patient and with the end point focused on outcomes such as treatment efficiency, morbidity, mortality and drug cost. Acts as a liaison to medical, nursing, pharmacy practitioners and other healthcare professionals. Participates in ongoing clinical monitoring activities and provides administrative and clinical support for regulatory compliance issues, drug use evaluations, and operations support activities in conjunction with the Pharmacy Leadership Team. Provides immediate supervision and guidance of the work activities of Pharmacy Technicians and retains responsibility for the work performed by Pharmacy Technicians and Interns. The Pharmacy department values teamwork, commitment to patient centered care, and clinical excellence.
Essential Functions
Pharmacists are responsible for clinical and distributive activities throughout Skagit Valley Hospital, and remote services to Mount Vernon Surgery Center, and Cascade Valley Hospital afterhours. Cascade Valley Hospital Pharmacists are responsible for clinical and distributive activities at CVH and affiliated surgery center. Pharmacists may be required to support distribution and clinical questions from clinics affiliated with SVH or CVH. Pharmacists are responsible for providing patients with safe and appropriate medication therapy. Additional duties include answering the telephone in a timely manner, promptly responding to messages and consults, and performing all steps of medication distribution, with or without Pharmacy Technician assistance.
Clinical activities include support throughout the assigned area to ensure medications are safe and appropriate for patients, and manage therapies per organizational policies, procedures, and protocols. Perform review of Prior to Admission medications for appropriateness, and assist with medication reconciliation. Perform medication management activities as delegated by providers through consults. Perform antimicrobial stewardship for assigned locations, including culture follow up for assigned locations. Ensure appropriate dosing of medications in neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Attend and collaboratively participate multidisciplinary rounds, when held in assigned location, and provide appropriate recommendations to improve clinical outcomes. Participates in codes as assigned. Assists in orienting new staff members and precepting students as required.
Interacts with patients and families in a compassionate manner, respecting their right to privacy and confidentiality. Assists co-workers, patients, vendors, physicians and others in a respectful and courteous manner, and ensures that service deficits are resolved in a courteous and professional manner. Promptly perform after hour Pharmacy service to Cascade Valley Hospital.
Compounds and dispenses prescribed medications, drugs, IV solutions, and other pharmaceuticals for patient care in compliance with regulatory and department policies and procedures. Reviews orders placed by authorized prescribers, to assure accuracy and safety. Inputs patient and medication data to maintain pharmacy files, charge and inventory data in an accurate and timely manner in compliance with SVH policies and procedures. Identifies medication errors and adverse drug reactions. Provides information to hospital staff and Providers regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage and storage of pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacists are responsible for any delegated act performed by pharmacy interns, or pharmacy technicians. Consistently demonstrates ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs. Pharmacists are responsible to verify the accuracy, quality, and quantity of Controlled Substances and Legend drugs that are transferred to Automated Dispensing Machine (ADM), Nurse, Provider, hospital or clinic staff, or patient.
Pharmacists are responsible to maintain adequate drug, Legend and Controlled Substance, inventory available for patient care. Pharmacists may be assisted by Pharmacy Technicians, under their supervision, to manage drug inventory and distribution. Orders and oversees stocking of pharmacy supplies, compounds, medications and materials in compliance with regulatory and SVH policies and procedures. All drugs, including Controlled Substances, shall be inspected and deemed appropriate for patient use, by a Pharmacist, prior to leaving the Pharmacy for patient use. No Controlled Substance shall leave the Pharmacy, without Pharmacist verification, designated by initial and / or signature, in addition to documentation within Electronic Medical Record (EMR), when applicable. Completes appropriate documentation in a timely manner in accordance with SVH policies and procedures.
Maintains established procedures concerning quality assurance, security of controlled substances, and disposal of hazardous waste drugs in compliance with regulatory and SVH requirements. Pharmacists will perform therapeutic substitution per organizational formulary. Pharmacists will provide drug therapy monitoring per organizational policies and / or procedures, and perform documentation in the medical record.
Minimizes non-productive time and fills slow periods with activities that will enable you to meet the future needs of SVH (education, organizing, housekeeping, and assisting others). Organizes job functions and work area(s) to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.
Contributes to the achievement of Quality Improvement and participates in QI activities. Ensures compliance with established standards, and all SRH policies and procedures. Complies with SVH Safety and Infection Control policies and procedures. Utilizes proper body mechanics and protective equipment (PPE). Reports and/or resolves all safety issues/incidents in a timely manner.
Complete all mandatory learning requirements in a timely manner. Maintain current licensure and/or certification as required. Attend and actively participate in all department, team and/or committee meetings. Comply with all Skagit Regional Health, department and location specific policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned by Director, Manager, or Designee.
Education
B.S. Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)(preferred). ASHP accredited residency or comparable clinical experience desired. Advanced knowledge of current hospital pharmacy practice, clinical drug and therapeutic literature. Skagit Valley Hospital is a DNV certified Primary Stroke Center. Required to complete 2 hours of stroke education annually.
Experience/Training
At least one year of hospital pharmacy experience preferred. Experience providing staff education and patient teaching desired. Experience and/or training in hospital pharmacy administration is desirable.
License/Certifications
Washington State Board of Pharmacy licensure.
Sterile technique and chemotherapy recertification within assigned period.
American Heart Association ACLS required within 6 months of hire.
Other Skills
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required. Superior understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics. Able to read and interpret standards in compliance with regulatory agencies. Demonstrated good judgment. Ability to direct and instruct others. Customer service oriented.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; when working in office. Repetitive tasks such as typing, sitting, answering phones, and interacting with computers and computer systems most of the day is a function of the position. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus. This position requires working in an indoor, environmentally controlled environment when in the office.
Skagit Regional Health offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, 457b/401a (retirement), long term disability, and paid time off to all employees holding an FTE of 20 or more hours per week. Eligible employees also receive sick time pay.
