Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Neurocritical Care

Full time Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Neurocritical Care at Trinity Health Ann Arbor, a  537-bed teaching hospital located on a 340 acre campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital has been named a Top 100 Hospital and is at the forefront of many clinical specialty areas.  We are Level 1 Trauma Center and Certified Stroke Center, with a priority of expanding the Neurocritical Care program.

Direct patient care duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist include participation in patient care rounds, medication therapy monitoring, antimicrobial stewardship, anticoagulation monitoring, bedside assistance with emergency responses, patient education,  and order verification.

The clinical specialist will serve on multidisciplinary committees and participate in  protocol/policy development and formulary management for the neurocritical care and neurointerventional programs.

Academic duties include: Precepting PGY1 and PGY2 residents, precepting students, research, pharmacy staff development, physician education and nursing education.  

Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description: GENERAL SUMMARY AND PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Clinical Pharmacy Manager, assumes specific responsibilities in areas of Clinical Pharmacy. Is prospectively involved with provision of pharmaceutical care and the promotion of high quality, cost-effective, patient-focused care considering age-specific needs. Demonstrates pharmacotherapy expertise, participates in interdisciplinary education programs, and participates in problem recognition and resolution related to medication usage. Develops, coordinates, assesses and evaluates medication safety programs and initiatives to ensure safe and appropriate medication use processes.  Utilizes principles of just culture.  Responsible for regulatory requirements applicable to medication safety in area of practice.  Participates in  pharmacist and technician clinical development programs, and actively participates in continuous quality improvement initiatives. Performs all  pharmacist functions on a regularly assigned basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs Pharmacist functions on a rotating basis. Provides pharmaceutical care for neonatal through geriatric populations according to professional standards and statutory requirements. Provides direct patient care through patient care rounding, medication order review, medication therapy  monitoring and consults with other healthcare providers to ensure the most effective use of medications. Provides medication procurement and dose preparation based on need and urgency with which medication is needed to meet the needs of patients and to comply with hospital clinical quality core measures.

Collaborates with the medical and nursing staffs to identify patients who require intensive pharmacy intervention (medication histories, drug therapy recommendations, patient education) and facilitates the communication of pharmaceutical care plans to other healthcare providers. Actively and reliably monitors drug therapy and answers drug therapy related questions. Works with medical and nursing staff to optimize drug therapy delivery, provides drug therapy in-service education, problem solves, and assists nurses in communicating with the medical staff. Develops and monitors guidelines or drug use protocols specific to area of specialty. Participates in monitoring and ensuring medication safety through proactive and continuous monitoring of medication practices. Identifies high risk medications or patients for monitoring for potential errors. Contributes to improving medication safety through root cause analysis and identification of potential solutions and policy/guideline development in conjunction with the other health care providers. Participates in evaluating medications for formulary considerations with a pharmacoeconomic analysis and prescribing guidelines in conjunction with the medical staff. Conducts MUEs as necessary and recommends cost effective drug use.

   Leads/promotes continuous quality improvement programs to meet Organizational and Pharmacy Department goals. Monitors procedures and processes to identify areas in need of improvement. Prepares reports, educates and makes suggestions and recommendations for improvement to the appropriate leader or responsible Committee. Educates physicians, associates and other allied disciplines about the goals and rationale of the institution’s quality of care and cost containment programs related to medication usage and to pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical care. Reviews and maintains files on contemporary drug literature to keep abreast of new drugs and procedures, and acts as a clinical resource person for the professional staff members. Actively participates in staff development programs, continuing education, lectures, conferences, and preparation of newsletters, drug class reviews, and new policies and procedures. Conceives, designs, develops, implements, and evaluates results of drug use evaluation monitors. Precepts Doctor of Pharmacy students. Meets with students regularly to review drug therapy and clinical skills. Actively participates in the education of Pharmacy Residents (when applicable) including mentoring and/or serving as a preceptor to a learning experience. research project, medication use evaluation, or formulary review for Trinity Health Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Conceives, initiates, and actively participates in research pertinent to area of clinical specialty, and presents and publishes results of that research. Provides leadership to other Pharmacists in special work activities and serves as role model in the establishment of work quality, efficiency, productivity, and personal conduct standards. Performs duties in compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory requirements Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution. Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Health / Trinity Health. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places. Behaves in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Service Excellence Standards, and the Mission, Vision and Values of Trinity Health. Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE   Education:

• Requires Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (i.e., Pharm.D) or clinical oriented Master's Degree in hospital pharmacy from an accredited College of Pharmacy or equivalent is required.

Experience:

• Experience: Minimum of two years related experience, which may include a clinically oriented hospital pharmacy residency (i.e., PGY2).

Licensure / Certification:

• Current State of Michigan Pharmacist and controlled substance license or eligibility for licensure. Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in area of practice if applicable is preferred.  Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possesses strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate drug therapy information to all health team members, patients and administrators/managers.
• Has a demonstrated working knowledge of pharmacokinetics (mathematic modeling of a drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in a patient).
• Demonstrated teaching ability to instruct and precept pharmacists, pharmacy residents and pharmacy students in the area of pharmacy practice specialty. Demonstrated research and publishing skills.
• Has excellent customer service orientation skills necessary to deal effectively with various levels of hospital personnel. 
• Maintenance of thirty continuing education credits every two years as required by Michigan Board of Pharmacy. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
 

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.