Clinical Pharmacist – North Liberty Campus

The new University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus will open in the Spring of 2025. This 469,000 square foot facility will be home to UI Health Care’s nationally recognized Orthopedics service line, offering comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care across the outpatient, inpatient and surgical venues. These state-of-the-art clinical facilities will also include a full-service community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, retail pharmacy, and emergency department as well as an array of support services. The facility has been designed to support a superior patient and staff experience; excellence across our patient care, teaching and research missions; convenient access to services; and engaging community partnerships. UI Health Care is seeking a welcoming, highly-skilled and collaborative workforce to be a part of the opening team for this superb new campus, and to help further our mission of: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.

The Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus provides pharmaceutical care services in clinical and operational roles within acute care and ambulatory care settings. The position will have rotating shifts, including weekdays, weekends, and evenings.

The pharmacist is involved in all aspects of patient care including, but not limited to therapeutic drug monitoring, order and prescription verification, oversight of the preparation and dispensing of sterile and non-sterile products, medication reconciliation, medication education, immunizations, and precepting learners. This position will collaborate on a daily basis with other members of the healthcare team.

Position Responsibilities:

Medication Preparation and Dispensing

1. Oversee pharmacy technicians involved in the preparation and delivery of medication
2. Safely and accurately verify sterile and non-sterile compounded products following USP <800>, USP <797>, and USP <795> guidelines
3. Check pre-packaged medications, automated dispensing cabinet batches, floorstock, emergency drug trays, and ambulance kits
4. Troubleshoot automation utilized in dispensing location
5. Identify and assist in resolution of medication system issues
6. Assist with inventory control, including controlled substances
7. Serve as a contact for medication distribution questions for members of the healthcare team

Provides Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

1. Complete a comprehensive patient assessment which includes evaluation of the patient’s medications and patient’s medical history
2. Evaluate inpatient and clinic medication orders and prescriptions to ensure accuracy and appropriateness

• E.g. Indication for use, dose, route of administration, drug interactions, dose adjustments for organ dysfunction, physical and therapeutic incompatibilities, drug side effects and adverse reactions, presence of duplicate therapies, potential drug misuse or abuse, use of the most cost-effective therapy.

1. Assure pharmacokinetic assessment of drug dosing for appropriate patients through:

• Clinical assessment of patients
• Development of desired therapeutic goals
• Preparation and communication of formal dosing.

1. Communicate with prescribers about patient medication needs
2. Provide drug information to other healthcare professionals
3. Confirm/clarify patient drug allergies noted in the medical record
4. Complete patient medication histories and reconcile home medications against the admission medications for inpatients
5. Review daily therapeutic monitoring information for all patients served by the patient care unit
6. Identify high-risk medication therapy by defined admission criteria and review as appropriate
7. Evaluate patient compliance with prescribed medication therapy and identify problems that may lead to partial or non-compliance
8. Utilize appropriate resources and coordinate the resolution of financial concerns/burdens with Department financial counselors
9. Complete required competency exams as required by the department

Documents All Patient Care Activities Performed

The active participation by a pharmacist on the health care team requires efficient communication to all those participating in the care of patients via documentation within the patient medical record and on-line reporting systems.

1. Document medication error information into standard reporting system
2. Identify, evaluate, and take steps to avoid adverse drug reactions for all patients
3. Update patient allergies and patient-specific height and weight information when needed
4. Review and ensure correct medication histories are entered into the medical record
5. Provide and document medication counseling to patients
6. Document interventions with prescribers and other healthcare providers
7. Document therapeutic drug monitoring assessments and medication dosing recommendations

Coordinates Patient Communications and Interactions

The provision of pharmaceutical care requires that patients have an understanding of the services which they receive from a pharmacist. The pharmacist must participate in the care during an inpatient stay and in the outpatient setting, facilitate transitions of care, and ensure proper medication utilization.

1. Perform medication history and reconcile home medications with inpatient orders
2. Discuss drug allergy history
3. Conduct patient teaching classes (where appropriate)
4. Provide medication counseling and answer patient questions
5. Communicate with others to ensure appropriate continuity of care

Spearheads Patient Care Initiatives

The pharmacist is the patient’s advocate for all efforts centering on drug therapy. The pharmacist must be in a position to positively influence therapeutic decisions which will affect patients and their care.

1. Review and verify medication orders
2. Respond to medication questions from the inpatient unit or clinics
3. Coordinate discharge planning activities
4. Follow-up on medication system issues
5. Serve on intra- and interdepartmental committees, task forces, and teams as required

The pharmacist will also participate in hospital-wide programs intended to improve patient care (e.g., Medication Use Evaluation program, Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program, etc.). 

Provides Educational Services

University of Iowa Health Care is a teaching institution; therefore, the clinical pharmacist is responsible for the education of students, residents, fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate use. The clinical pharmacist shall serve as a role model for staff and students. The educational process crosses professional boundaries, as the clinical pharmacist interacts with and serves as an informational resource for other members of the health care team. The clinical pharmacist takes great care to instruct all patients about the need for and appropriate use of prescribed medications. Examples of educational services may include:

1. Serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and residents
2. Present in-service educational programs to staff nurses, providers, and other members of the healthcare team
3. Present at and/or participate in other educational programs sponsored by the Department of Pharmaceutical Care, the College of Pharmacy, other UI departments, and state and national organizations
4. Coordinate/conduct patient medication education classes (where appropriate)
5. Serve as a mentor and role model for other pharmacists within the department

Participates in Research

The clinical pharmacist may participate in research activities, including providing support for Investigational Drug Service prescriptions and orders. This research may take many forms, including developmental, evaluative, and/or clinical research. It may be intradepartmental or interdisciplinary in format. The presentation and/or publication of research findings are encouraged.

Maintain Compliance with all Competencies and Educational Requirements

The clinical pharmacist must maintain compliance with all assigned competencies and requirements of the position.

Educational Requirements:

• PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree

Experience Requirements:

• One (1) year of applicable pharmacy experience is required
• Current licensure by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners required upon hire
• Immunization Certification required within six (6) months of hire
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Job related experience with and/or commitment to service excellence
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Desired Qualifications:

1. Satisfactory completion of an ASHP accredited PGY1 Residency in hospital pharmacy practice.
2. Health system pharmacy experience
3. One year of applicable pharmacy experience
4. Sterile and non-sterile compounding experience
5. Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or eligibility for completing BLS and ACLS certifications

Position and Application details: 

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. 

For additional questions, please contact Penni Berger at penni-berger@uiowa.edu

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Clinical Pharmacist
• Appointment Type: SEIU
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

• Pay Level: 11

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Penni Berger
• Contact Email: penni-berger@uiowa.edu

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