Ambulatory Pharmacy Clinical Specialist - Primary Care

Under the supervision of the Clinical Coordinator and according to department policies, procedures, and guidelines will be responsible for providing the highest level of patient and customer care to patients undergoing treatment at the medical center. Clinical Specialist will also be working under the clinical supervision of general internal medicine director. Clinical specialist ensures optimum patient related outcomes for general internal medicine clinic patients by preventing or resolving drug-related issues and optimizing the drug therapy of patients. Provides drug information to patients, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Integrally involved in education of pharmacists, residents and students. Additionally, the Clinical Specialist coordinates clinical projects, assists with formulary coordination and policy revisions, ensures billing compliance and revenue capture and helps to lead other projects as needed.
Serves as a resource and drug expert for all general internal medicine related medications and strives to increase knowledge through research and writing activities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Work in collaborative fashion with all specialty area nurses, fellows, and attendings toward optimizing patient outcomes, with added focus on improving population health activities important to institutional goals and mission.

The ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist will be responsible for providing primary care-focused pharmacotherapy services within the clinic, and evaluate and manage patients with chronic conditions (e.g., DM, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, COPD/Asthma, Heart Failure, Smoking Cessation) through direct patient care as outlined in the individual’s Scope of Practice.  The specialist will work closely within a multi-disciplinary team of primary care physicians, medical residents, nurses, and pharmacy liaisons to optimize and promote rational, safe, evidence-based and cost-effective therapy.   The ambulatory clinical pharmacy specialist is responsible for working with patients to identify strengths and barriers and to develop an individualized, patient-centered pharmacotherapy care plan. 

Position: Ambulatory Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

Department: Primary Care       

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

The primary responsibilities specific to the hospital and the department of pharmacy:

• Takes an active role in the development and implementation of quality improvement projects
• Maintains own professional and specialized competency through continued education.
• Attends and participates in department staff development conferences or other activities related to staff development. 
• Maintains certification for good clinical practice and human subject protection
• Assists with formulary management (e.g., drug monographs, MUEs, medication guidelines) 
• Participate in the up keeping and build of new and existing order sets and operational and clinical efficiencies in EPIC
• In all activities comply with accreditation, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains HIPAA standards and confidentiality of protected health information.
• Adheres to departmental/organizational policies and procedures.
• Meets hospital-wide standards in the following areas:
  • Conforms to standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
  • Utilizes hospital’s Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission.
  • Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures
• Develops goals for each fiscal year based on the institutional scorecard and under the guidance of Clinical Coordinator
• Identifies opportunities for the development of new care management approaches
• Precepts pharmacy residents and students and participates in the orientation and cross-training of  pharmacists
• Performs other duties as needed.

The primary responsibilities specific to the clinic site:

• Monitor patients for appropriateness and response to therapy 
• Document pertinent findings in the electronic medical record
• Develop, document, and execute a patient-centered plan of care utilizing national guidelines or established local protocol
• Provide ongoing care for chronic problems as delineated in protocol
• Order laboratory studies
• Analyze laboratory and diagnostic test data so as to modify drug therapy and dosing as necessary
• Identify and take specific corrective action for drug-induced problems
• Notify primary provider regarding atypical findings
• Provides effective transition of care needs including, but not limited to, medication reconciliation and completing post-discharge phone calls
• Provides drug education and counseling to patients as outlined in department policies and procedures
• Provides in-service education to nurses, physicians and other healthcare practitioners, as needed.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Work requires a Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited college of pharmacy.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Required: Massachusetts pharmacist license in good standing and or obtained by the hire date
• Required:  Current Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS), Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP), or Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP); or must obtain certification within one year of eligibility

EXPERIENCE: Requires completion of a PGY1 pharmacy residency program with ambulatory focus or PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency or equivalent years of experience in ambulatory care

Preferred experience:

• Direct patient care
• Clinical management of primary-care based chronic diseases

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Comprehensive understanding of the procedures, systems, and equipment used by pharmacists and technicians in the pharmacy as well as a high level of proficiency in performing pharmacist’s duties and responsibilities.
• High level of analytical ability, organizational and personal management skill and focus to ensure the concerted approach to operations.  
• Professional in conduct and appearance
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Able to maintain professional boundaries
• Ability to work with diverse, safety-net population
• Skilled at motivational interviewing, patient engagement and setting patient-centered goals
• Creative problem solver
• Ability to adapt to changes in healthcare delivery at local and systems level
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare systems and community resources
• Ability to leverage systems and resources for improved patient outcomes
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficient with standard software used in healthcare office setting (i.e. MS Word, Excel, web browser, etc.)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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