Clinical Pharmacist - Transitions of Care

Site: The McLean Hospital Corporation

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Job Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist Transitions of Care is responsible for regularly assessing and verifying admission medication orders and working in a decentralized fashion with the admissions team to optimize inpatient medication orders primarily weekdays from 10a - 6:30p. The team member ensures optimal clinical care in the acute and residential/partial psychiatric setting which includes aspects of general medicine through assessment of patient-specific factors and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Responsible for aspects of dispensing labeling storing recording and using pharmaceutical preparations for patients throughout McLean Hospital on a rotating basis. Responsible for conceptualizing developing initiating continuing and assessing clinical initiatives/services educational activities and continuous quality improvement programs. Partakes in various meetings/committees as assigned. Responsible for appropriate supervision training and verification of all work performed by pharmacy technicians and interns and for the development of pharmacist staff. Provides exemplary customer service to patients and staff while completing tasks efficiently and accurately.

-Provide feedback to the pharmacy managers/practice managers/medical directors for the interim and annual performance appraisal of other pharmacists pharmacy technicians pharmacy interns physicians medical residents medical interns and medical assistants when appropriate. Participates in resolving personnel management issues when requested by the management staff.
-Operates within the limits of pharmacy policy and procedures.
-Ensures compliance with target drug programs formulary management medication management initiatives and adverse drug event monitoring programs.
-Documents and reports clinical interventions medication errors adverse drug events.
-Participates in department quality improvement efforts.
-Attends and participates in daily medical and multi-disciplinary rounds and participate in specialty rounds as needed and as time allows and collaborate with other healthcare providers when staffing non-rounding services.
-Documents and reports clinical interventions medication errors adverse drug events.
-Follows all policies procedures laws and regulations set forth by the Board of Pharmacy and all other applicable regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Clinical functions

• Establishes implements and maintains impactful daily team-based medication optimization for inpatient psychiatric admissions.
• Supports admission medication reconciliation as a decentralized clinical pharmacist station in the psychiatric admissions department.
• Adheres to McLean Hospital formulary whenever possible and provides recommendations for therapeutic interchange as necessary.
• Collaborates with other healthcare disciplines to develop optimal admission plans for patients.
• Participates in the Departments clinical initiatives and programs including therapeutic drug monitoring antimicrobial stewardship anticoagulation stewardship and medication reconciliation.
• Works with pharmacy administration and hospital leadership to conceptualize develop and initiate valuable sustainable clinical pharmacy services.
• Supports and continuously assesses clinical initiatives.
• Serves as pharmacist lead of a clinical or supportive pharmacy program and its associated quality improvement program.
• Interfaces with the healthcare team to ensure optimal medication therapy.
• Utilizes patient specific information when interpreting reviewing and approving medication orders to assess safety and efficacy including but not limited to:
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Diagnoses
  • Allergies
  • Sensitivities
  • Current medications
  • Height and weight (when necessary)
  • Pregnancy and lactation information (when necessary)
  • Laboratory results (when necessary)
• Ensures appropriateness of drug dose frequency and duration for each medication ordered prior to approving. Clarifies any ambiguities with prescriber.
• Documents patient care clinical work and medication interventions within the medical record.
• Reviews clinical impact of medication errors and assists with root cause analysis.
• Serves as a hospital resource for drug information and utilizes appropriate reference materials when necessary.
• Responds to drug information requests with accurate information in a timely manner.
• Assists in reviewing and revising the drug formulary along with guidelines for drug use.
• Participates in educating nurses patients pharmacy technicians pharmacy interns and other pharmacists as needed.
• Participates as needed in hospital committees such as Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Continuous Quality Improvement Committee Infection Control Committee Fall Prevention Committee etc.
• Collects and assesses medication usage data.
• Monitors the tracking of clozapine patients and reporting of blood work levels to the Clozapine Registry according to Pharmacy Department Policy.
• Serves as a respectable pharmacy liaison to other departments.
• Facilitates learning for pharmacy interns.
• Provides educational lectures or written reports as required.
• Maintains clinical and professional competency.
• Other tasks as assigned by Director of Pharmacy.
• Alerts Pharmacy Department administration of any clinical issues as they arise.

Operational functions

• Utilizes computerized order entry system and patient medical record to timely and accurately receive interpret review and process medication orders for inpatients.
• Accurately prepares labels and dispenses medications based on medication orders according to Pharmacy Department Policies and Procedures and applicable laws.
• Supervises technicians in preparation of medications and verifies accuracy of all prepared orders including hospital prepared unit dosed medications.
• Prioritizes work to prepare dispenses in order of importance.
• Fills and/or verifies requisitions from inpatient units in a timely accurate manner.
• Fills and/or verifies code carts and emergency kits in a timely accurate manner.
• Verifies accuracy of technician prepared packaging.
• Ensures dispensed circulating and stocked medication is in-date and intact.
• Utilizes automated dispensing cabinets and technician runs to distribute medication.
• Reviews physicians medication orders with regard to patient specific factors as indicated by department policies good pharmacy practice and Joint Commission standards.
• Provides medication recommendations to providers as needed.
• Reports errors near misses and pharmacist interventions according to Pharmacy Department Policies and Procedures.
• Suggests process improvement to Pharmacy Department administration when necessary.
• Fills and dispenses investigational product for research studies when necessary.
• Fulfils need for after-hours dispensing when optionally on-call.
• Maintains records as required by law to document medication transactions within the Pharmacy and throughout the hospital.
• Ensures completeness of daily logs including refrigerator temperature.
• Holds hand-off discussion with on-coming shift as necessary.
• Practices pharmacy in accordance with federal and state law.
• Alerts Pharmacy Department administration of any problems with system software or hardware or medication distribution as they arise.
• Other tasks as assigned by Director of Pharmacy.

Inventory functions

• Assists technicians in maintaining optimal drug inventory by ensuring medication availability while maximizing inventory turns.
• Loans and borrows medications per Pharmacy Department policy as necessary.
• Assesses characteristics of new items added to the inventory including designation as hazardous high-risk regulated waste easily confused etc.
• Maintains security of controlled substances.
• Ensures barcodes are functional for all products.
• Performs weekly controlled drug inventory on a rotational basis.
• Performs monthly unit inspections as assigned.
• Alerts Pharmacy Department administration of any inventory issues as they arise.
• Other tasks as assigned by Pharmacy Supervisor or Director of Pharmacy.

Safety functions

• Safely uses departmental equipment.
• Disposes of waste appropriately in accordance with Pharmacy Department Policies and Procedures.
• Able to locate and follow SDS and hospital/departmental policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of fire safety verbally.
• Notifies supervisor of any hazards immediately.
• Other tasks as assigned by Pharmacy Supervisor or Director of Pharmacy.

Quality Improvement

• Continuously assesses and improves the performance of care and services provided.
• Uses systematic methods to improve services plan changes and evaluate outcomes.
• Demonstrates effective problem solving techniques and promotes the same in others.
• Maintains awareness and actively supports the mission goals and objective of the hospital and department through CQI activities.
• Other tasks as assigned by Pharmacy Supervisor or Director of Pharmacy.

Staff Responsibilities

• Supervises (and is responsible for) pharmacy technicians in the performance of their functions.
• Attends and actively participates in team conferences and staff meetings/in-services.
• Complies with annual training requirements.
• Participates actively in committee meetings as applicable.
• Participates actively in orientation and on-the-job training of assigned personnel.
• Arrives and leaves at schedule times; adheres to break and lunch time; willing to work overtime when necessary.
• Presents for work as scheduled; is rarely absent and never without legitimate excuse. Notifies supervisor well in advance of any absences or vacation time.
• Maintains a clean and professional appearance in both dress and grooming.
• Follows instructions/policy carefully and discusses deviations from procedure with supervisor before acting.
• Demonstrates organizational time management and efficiency skills by prioritizing orders and activities.
• Requires no overtime for normal shifts.
• Demonstrates initiative and accepts increased responsibility.
• Maintains the pharmacy in a clean and neat manner as determined by the Pharmacy administration.
• Adapts to change in a constructive manner and demonstrates flexibility for extra activities and unexpected duties.
• Adheres to all Pharmacy Department policies and procedures McLean Hospital safety rules Joint Commission standards and any other applicable regulatory agency.
• Completes special projects on time.
• Identifies own learning needs by seeking assistance as necessary.

• Willingly completes other duties as assigned or requested.
• Maintains unrestricted pharmacist licensure in the state of Massachusetts.

• Other tasks as assigned by Pharmacy Supervisor or Director of Pharmacy.

Customer Service

• Performs all tasks demonstrating service orientation to fellow employees and staff members to provide excellent customer service.
• Demonstrates supports and models the mission vision values and rules of conduct of McLean Hospital.
• Responds to concerns or requests of nurses patients doctors employees and the public.
• Maintains patient/employee confidentiality.
• Demonstrates appropriate judgment and communication skills when interacting with physicians nursing patients and other hospital staff.
• Communicates written and verbal information clearly accurately and professionally in courteous manner and tone to all parties.
• Provides follow up as appropriate to ensure messages or instructions are understood.
• Responds to needs via telephone or pharmacy window promptly.
• Cooperates with others within and outside of department and coordinates work efforts.
• Other tasks as assigned by Pharmacy Supervisor or Director of Pharmacy.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

BS and/or PharmD from an accredited College of Pharmacy. Residency experience required. PGY2 residency preferred. Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy or Psychiatry preferred.

License:

Current unrestricted pharmacy licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Experience:

Previous hospital pharmacy experience required.

Work schedule:

Rotating shift including weekends holidays and on-call

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical hospital pharmacy environment. Works under constant time deadlines. Occasionally exposed to possible carcinogenic mutagenic and sensitizing substances as well as to other hazardous chemicals typically found in a contemporary pharmacy setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Moderate amount of stress in completing work assignments meeting deadlines and interacting with other healthcare professionals. Repetitive use of hands and fingers (i.e. use of computer keyboard) and labeling containers. Repetitive tasks are often performed with one hand only. Normal range of hearing and vision to perform work and communicate. Extended periods of standing walking and bending. Some climbing of stairs and lifting/carrying material may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work independently and handle stress appropriately. Ability to work cooperatively with other members of hospital and pharmacy staff. Ability to handle multiple tasks and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule. Ability to set priorities make critical decisions and respond to client concerns. Fosters a team environment. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written).

Physical Requirements

Standing Frequently (34-66%)

Walking Frequently (34-66%)

Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)

Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs (w/assisted device)

Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs

Pushing Occasionally (3-33%)

Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)

Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)

Balancing Frequently (34-66%)

Stooping Occasionally (3-33%)

Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%)

Crouching Occasionally (3-33%)

Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%)

Reaching Frequently (34-66%)

Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently (34-66%)

Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%)

Feeling Constantly (67-100%)

Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%)

Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%)

Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%)

Talking Constantly (67-100%)

Hearing Constantly (67-100%)

Onsite

115 Mill Street

40

Regular

Day (United States of America)

The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religious creed national origin sex age gender identity disability sexual orientation military service genetic information and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at .

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