When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
Under the general supervision of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) Program leadership, the ASP 2 position is an early established level position within the department with a goal of acquiring additional knowledge and skills in the field and is the second step in the four-level career ladder from Novice to Expert. The ASP2 participates in the AS Program by assisting the ASP3-4 and the Medical and AS Directors in daily AS activities. The pharmacist will work to improve antimicrobial utilization through processes including use of computer systems to evaluate provider order entry, microbiology results, patient specific data, progress notes, and alerts for best practice, quality and safety. The ASP2 will work with guidance from local ASP3-4 to assist in the tracking of team interventions and activities. The ASP2 will serve as a resource for other pharmacy clinical specialists and trainees for collaborative efforts to improve anti-infective use. They will participate in the orientation and training of frontline staff and trainees to empower them to manage AS activities. They will identify and propose solutions for clinical-operational problems under the guidance of ASP3-4. They will work collaboratively and systematically to review the current standard antimicrobial susceptibility reports based on site of infection and pathogen. The ASP2 will receive ongoing training and professional development in the field through self-study, observation, mentorship and sponsored training activities.
Job Description:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Practices pharmacy with a focus on antimicrobial management in accordance with the laws, rules and regulation of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Boards of Registration in Pharmacy, Departments of Public Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Administration and in accordance with established policies and procedures. Maintains licensure and credentials in accordance with the Board of Registration and submits proof annually.
2. Reviews ASP1 preliminary recommendations and under the direction of the ASP3-4, prioritizes telehealth or onsite initiatives (e.g., on-call service for AS or Infectious Diseases (ID) on a rotational basis). Assumes responsibility for some daily activities of the AS program including pre-prescriptive approval reviews, post prescriptive review and feedback, and clinical decision support alerts reviews relative to drug duplication, bug-drug mismatches, therapeutic drug monitoring and intravenous to oral conversions with support from AS3-4 and Directors as needed.
3. Reviews and verifies anti-infective medication orders with consideration of the patient’s: diagnosis, weight/body surface area, age, allergies, organ function, laboratory indices, medication duplication, drug interactions, and other patient-specific factors. Clarifies orders
with prescribers and provides education as needed. Documents AS interventions and/or discussion with the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care with other pharmacy and AS staff. Communicates applicable information to subsequent shifts to ensure continuity of care.
4. Reviews ASP1 and trainee assessments of daily pharmacy surveillance tool monitoring. More independently interacts with providers to initiate therapeutic drug monitoring and documents activity in the electronic medical record per pharmacy protocol. From the intervention database, creates reports of compliance and acceptance for interventions based on category.
5. Promotes a culture of patient safety by identifying and recording medication-related events or policy deviations for antimicrobial ordering (e.g., bypassing antimicrobial restrictions, use of incorrect dosing)
6. Participates in the development, evaluation and validation of the electronic medical record relative to clinical decision trees, guided decision making, order questions, and antibiotic utilization and resistance submissions to the National Health Safety Network (NHSN).
7. Provides in-service education to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel (goal of at least one in-service per month) on new formulary additions, new interdisciplinary infectious disease treatment guidelines and best practice alerts, participates in system and institutional established AS- or Pharmacy-based proactive programs, (e.g., clinical documentation, process improvement), as they apply to clinical operations and quality assurance related to antimicrobial use. Plans and manages resources and communication in the transition between units or at discharge with multidisciplinary teams from different inpatient sites, outpatient affiliated clinics or outside healthcare organizations.
8. Demonstrates good judgment by asking for assistance from AS3-4s, AS Director and Medical Directors as appropriate. Additional duties as assigned.
9. Maintains strict adherence to BILH confidentiality guidelines and always maintains compliance with HIPAA.
Qualifications/Skills & Knowledge Requirements
Required Qualifications
1. Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy required.
2. License to practice as Pharmacist in Massachusetts or New Hampshire depending upon practice location.
3. Completion of PGY 1 Pharmacy Residency that includes Infectious Diseases training or at least 2-3 years’ work experience in inpatient antimicrobial stewardship.
4. Advanced skills with computer systems required, including web-based applications and Microsoft Office suite applications
Preferred Qualifications
1. Doctoral degree in Pharmacy (PharmD) preferred.
2. Certification in Antimicrobial Stewardship from a national accrediting provider- Society of ID Pharmacists, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
3. Active Board certification in Infectious Diseases Practice OR eligibility to take the exam and commitment to attain within 1-2 years in ASP2 role.
4. Detail oriented, critical thinker, effective communicator with analytical abilities and strong interpersonal skills.
5. Experience in use of electronic health record, particularly Epic, including antimicrobial stewardship tools and/or other related software preferred.
6. Knowledge and/or experience in related fields such as microbiology, infection prevention, public health and quality improvement.
Pay Range:
$61.29 USD – $82.48 USD
The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law.
