Pharmacist Clinical Specialist - Peds

Title: Pharmacist Clinical Specialist - Peds

Location: Millers Children’s Hospital - Long Beach

Department: MCH Inpatient Pharmacy

Status: Full Time

Shift: Nights

Pay Range*: $78.97/hr - $114.50/hr

At MemorialCare Health System, we believe in providing extraordinary healthcare to our communities and an exceptional working environment for our employees. Memorial Care stands for excellence in Healthcare. Across our family of medical centers, we support each one of our bright, talented employees in reaching the highest levels of professional development, contribution, collaboration and accountability. Whatever your role and whatever expertise you bring, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your full potential in an environment of respect, innovation and teamwork.

Position Summary

The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist is responsible for improving therapeutic outcomes for our patients through safe, rational and cost-effective pharmaceutical care, education and research.Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for infants, children and young adults, with conditions ranging from common to complex - as well as maternity care for expectant mothers. Miller Children's is a pediatric teaching hospital features eight major care centers located within the hospital, e.g., Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric surgery, BirthCare Center. The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist maintains competency in age related drug knowledge in pediatrics, high risk obstetrics, drug therapy and disease-state management in premature, neonates, infants, children and adolescents in order to provide this care and improve patient care outcomes.The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist provides drug information to physicians, nurses and other health care workers to improve the quality of medication prescribing and administration in areas of pediatrics and obstetrics. The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist assists with medication reconciliation and counseling, identifies potential medication safety issues and works actively to prevent medication errors. The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist educates patients and families to improve compliance with drug therapy as required.The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist directs the work of ancillary personnel as necessary. The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist also contributes to the future of the profession and the pharmacy services within the hospital by teaching pharmacy students and post graduate pharmacy residents.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job

1.Medication Order Management:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist reviews medication and IV therapy orders and patient profiles in premature, neonates, infants, children, adolescents and high risk obstetric population. The Clinical Specialist is able to identify the appropriateness of prescribed therapy related to unique patient requirements of pediatric drug therapy and current departmental policies and procedures; and takes appropriate action to clarify or change inappropriate or incomplete medication and IV therapy orders. Competence in weight-based dosing in pediatrics and knowledge in pharmacologic changes in body composition and metabolism with age is a must. Competent working knowledge of USP 797/800 in support of IV therapy orders provided by MCWH. Provides for and faciltiates investigational drug studies for Pediatric/Neonatal services.

2.Communication: The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist communicates appropriately with clear and concise information to physicians, nurses and patients to improve the safety or effectiveness of a patient’s medication or IV therapy. Provides discharge counseling to patients and/or families on medications.

3.Drug Information:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist demonstrates a solid working knowledge of common drugs, indications, dosages, monitoring parameters, pharmacokinetic principles, common medical conditions, clinical diagnoses, and cost implications of common treatment regimens unique to Pediatric/Women's population.The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist demonstrates the ability to conduct a thorough patient medication history, to be able to enter it correctly into the electronic medical record,and is able to accurately review a medication history obtained by a pharmacy technician.

4.Drug Therapy Management:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist demonstrates competency in pediatrics and high risk obstetrics drug therapy guidelines for service area; makes appropriate decisions and changes in pharmacy-regulated drug and IV therapy within current policies and guidelines; and/or makes appropriate recommendations to physicians or other prescribers when indicated. The Specialist will work as part of multidisciplinary teams making recommendations to optimize patients' drug therapy regimen utilizing appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. Participates in the hospital's medication safety and quality initiatives.

5.Financial Management:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist demonstrates proficiency in the area of pharmacy operations, patient care and patient safety activities which measurably improves patient care outcomes, reduces overall cost of care, and/or improves the efficiency of delivering pharmacy services at MCWH.

6.Supervision, Collaboration, and Teaching:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist directs the daily activities of pharmacy technicians and other ancillary personnel; works collaboratively with all health care team members in an appropriate and effective manner in order to optimize the productivity of the pharmacy; and participates in training/orientation of new staff, residents and students in service area.

7.Documentation:The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist documents any medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and interventions on behalf of patients in order to meet regulatory requirements, lead to process improvements, and determine optimal use of department resources.

Other: Participates in various performance improvement initiatives; participates in CareLine, Best Practice or other committees, as assigned. The Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist performs other duties as assigned.

*Placement in the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications. In addition to base pay, there may be additional compensation available for this role, including but not limited to, shift differentials, extra shift incentives, and bonus opportunities. Health and wellness is our passion at MemorialCare—that includes taking good care of employees and their dependents. We offer high quality health insurance plan options, so you can select the best choice for your family. And there’s more...Check out our MemorialCare Benefits for more information about our Benefits and Rewards.

Qualifications - External

Experience

·       Minimum of 2 years experience in an inpatient hospital pharmacy with clinical exposure or sucessful completion of an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency (Pharmacy Practice Residency or with Pediatric emphasis) or equivalent experience preferred. Previous experience in pediatrics  preferred.

·       Outstanding organizational and communication skills.

·       Ability to exercise independent judgment and prioritize a diverse workload.

·       Proficient understanding of common computer programs used in pharmacy practice and ability to type at least 30 words per minute preferred.

·       Working knowledge of pharmacokinetic principles in pediatrics preferred.

·       Qualified in Pediatric Pharmacy Services Guidelines for assigned service area preferred.

Education

·       Graduate of school of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

·       Current licensure as a pharmacist in the State of California.

·       Current American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certificate.

·       Completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency preferred.

·       Board Certification specializing in Pediatrics is preferred but not required.