Pharmacist in Charge-Des Moines, IA Pharmacy

Join Our Team at the University of Iowa Health Care!
The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Pharmaceutical Care is seeking an experienced and dedicated Pharmacist in Charge for our Des Moines Pharmacy. The Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Specialist at the Des Moines Pharmacy on East Court Avenue will serve as the Pharmacist-in-Charge and provide daily oversight of pharmacy operations in coordination with the pharmacy manager. This position will provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care to UI Health Care patients including prescription clinical review verification and dispensing patient counseling in person by phone and support for medication synchronization adherence packaging and point-of-sale processes. The pharmacist provides clinical support education dispensing and monitoring of patients receiving medications through UI Health Care Ambulatory Care Pharmacies including oncology specialty and retail prescriptions. Training for Oncology Specialty Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care Services is provided.

This role may include some additional centralized pharmacy support provided from the Des Moines Pharmacy location as well as services on the weekend evenings or holidays on a rotating basis.

Position Responsibilities

• Pharmacist-in Charge
  • Ensures the legal operation of the pharmacy including meeting inspection and other requirements of state and federal laws rules and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy.
  • Maintains adherence to all departmental policies and procedures.
  • Ensures all documentation is complete and maintained for the required amount of time.
  • Oversees daily operations to ensure adherence to policies procedures and billing practices.
  • Provides daily support to the River Crossing Pharmacy staff.
  • Reviews errors and provides staff coaching consistent with a Just Culture environment.
  • Engages staff in meeting ambulatory care and department goals.

  • Creates an environment that encourages high performance accountability and teamwork.

• Controlled Substance Management

  • Maintains accountability for controlled substances in accordance with federal and state laws Iowa Board of Pharmacy regulations and departmental policies.

  • Ensures accurate timely and complete documentation of all controlled-substance activities including receipt storage dispensing returns waste and inventory adjustments.
  • Oversees the perpetual inventory system and conducts required reconciliations; promptly investigates and resolves discrepancies documenting findings and corrective actions.
  • Ensures secure storage restricted access and proper chain-of-custody workflows for all controlled substances within the pharmacy.
  • Serves as the designated DEA Registrant responsibilities for the site including management of CSOS certificates power-of-attorney assignments and record retention requirements.
  • Provides oversight and coaching to staff to ensure compliant controlled-substance handling and facilitates training for technicians pharmacists and new employees.
  • Ensures readiness for regulatory inspections by maintaining audit-ready controlled-substance documentation and responding to inspection findings with timely corrective action.
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)
  • Completes a comprehensive patient assessment which includes evaluation of the patients medications and an evaluation of the patients 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
  • Communicate 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 history 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.

  • Participates in the facilitation of continuity of care for patients when transitioning from one setting to another.

• Documentation of Patient Care Activities Performed
  The pharmacist provides pharmacy-related services through sharing of information with other members of the healthcare team via documentation within the patient medical record and other on-line reporting systems. Examples of documentation may include:
  • Patient drug allergies and patient-specific height and weight information.
  • Medication history documentation.
  • Medication counseling to patients.
  • Interventions with prescribers and other healthcare providers.
  • 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).
  • Drug dosing recommendations made to prescribers.
  • Drug Use Evaluation Program activities.
  • Steps taken to identify evaluate or avoid adverse drug reactions.
  • Prescription billing information including prior authorization status.
• Patient Communication and Interactions
  The pharmacist must provide a high level of customer service and educate patients on the pharmaceutical care services offered including the following:
  • Medication history.
  • Patients drug allergy history.
  • Patient teaching classes (where appropriate).
  • Medication counseling including in-person by phone and at the drive-up window.
  • Medication synchronization and adherence packaging.
  • Communicating patient information to local healthcare providers involved with the patients care to ensure appropriate continuity of care.
  • Providing support for prescription billing (e.g. benefits investigation prior authorization claim processing etc.).
• Enhanced Patient Care Services
  The pharmacist assumes the role of patient advocate for all concerns associated with drug therapy. The pharmacist shall position themself 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.
  • Follows-up on any medication system problems such as:
    • Unclear or inappropriate prescription orders
    • Cost effective drug therapy
    • Prescription for non-formulary products
  • Carries out as appropriate Medication Use Evaluation Program initiatives through active prescriber intervention and education.
  • Serves on intra- and interdepartmental committees task forces and teams as required.
• Educational Services
  University of Iowa Health Care is a teaching institution; therefore the pharmacist is responsible for the education of others about appropriate medication use and billing practices and should serve as a role model. The pharmacist will participate in education services which may include:
  • Serving as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.
  • Presenting in-service educational programs to staff nurses physicians and other colleagues on the healthcare team.
  • Presenting at and/or participating in other educational programs sponsored by the Department of Pharmaceutical Care the College of Pharmacy other UI Health Care or UI departments and state and national organizations.
  • Conducting educational classes for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.
  • Conducting patient education classes about the proper use of medications.
  • Serving 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.
• Other
  • Completes and maintains compliance with all competencies and educational requirements.
  • Assists with the evaluation and implementation of new products/technology policies and procedures.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.