Clinical Pharmacist – Specialty Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a full-time Clinical Pharmacist to join our team. The Specialty Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UI Specialty Pharmacy Program and patients seen in UI Healthcare Ambulatory Care Pharmacies. The pharmacist provides clinical support, education, dispensing and monitoring of patients receiving medications through UIHC Ambulatory Care Pharmacies, including Specialty Pharmacy. Services are provided through a variety of avenues including face-to-face, mail order, and telehealth. Adequate training to Specialty Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care Services is provided. The Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist will serve as a role model for other Department of Pharmaceutical Care staff, residents, and students who look to improve their own professional capabilities and level of services, particularly in the provision and expansion of ambulatory pharmacy services. This role will be primarily located at offsite central fill pharmacy and office locations and may also support both adult and pediatric ambulatory care operations at UI Health Care Medical Campus.

Position Responsibilities:

Provides Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) on clinic-administered medications and take-home prescription orders.

1. Completes a comprehensive patient assessment which includes evaluation of the patient’s medications, and an evaluation of the patient’s medical history.
2. 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

1. Ensures pharmacokinetic assessment of drug dosing on targeted patients through:

• Clinical assessment of patients and desired therapeutic endpoints
• Preparation of formal dosing recommendations
• Communicates 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 histories 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.

Documents All Patient Care Activities Performed

The clinical 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:

1. Patient drug allergies and patient-specific height and weight information.
2. Medication histories.
3. Medication counseling to patients.
4. Interventions with prescribers and other healthcare providers.
5. 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).
6. Drug dosing recommendations made to prescribers.
7. Drug Use Evaluation Program activities.
8. Steps taken to identify, evaluate, or avoid adverse drug reactions.

Coordinates Patient Communications and Interactions

The clinical pharmacist educates patients on the pharmaceutical care services offered including the following:

1. Medication history.
2. Patient’s drug allergy history.
3. Patient teaching classes (where appropriate).
4. Medication counseling.
5. Communicating patient information to local healthcare providers involved with the patient’s care to ensure appropriate continuity of care.

Facilitates Operational Initiatives Which Lead to Enhanced Patient Care Services

The clinical pharmacist assumes the role of patient advocate for all concerns associated with drug therapy. The clinical pharmacist shall position him/herself 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.

1. Follows-up on any medication system problems, such as:

• Unclear or inappropriate prescription orders
• Cost effective drug therapy

1. Prescription for non-formulary products
2. Carries out, as appropriate, Medication Use Evaluation Program initiatives through active prescriber intervention and education.
3. Serves on intra- and interdepartmental committees, task forces, and teams as required.
4. Facilitates completion of monthly clinic audits as assigned by the supervisor.
5. Assists with guidance of daily workflow.

Provides Educational Services

University of Iowa Health Care is a teaching institution; therefore, the clinical pharmacist is responsible for the education of students, 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. Serving as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.
2. Presenting inservice educational programs to staff nurses, physicians, and other colleagues on the healthcare team.
3. Presenting at and/or participating in other educational programs sponsored by the Department of Pharmaceutical Care, the College of Pharmacy, other UIHC or UI departments, and state and national organizations.
4. Conducting educational classes for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.
5. Conducting patient education classes about the proper use of medications.
6. Serving as mentor and role model for other pharmacist practitioners within the department, particularly those who provide ambulatory care services.

Facilitates Transitions of Care

The ambulatory care clinical pharmacist participates in the facilitation of patient transfer from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. Part of the responsibility involves the bedside delivery of discharge medications directly to the patient to provide appropriate medication education at the point of care to expedite the discharge process.

Participates in Research

The ambulatory care 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.

Complete and maintain compliance with all competencies and educational requirements.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Experience Requirements:

• One (1) year of applicable pharmacy experience is required. Prior work or student rotational experience may be considered as relevant.
• Current licensure by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners required upon hire.
• Immunization Certification.
• 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:

The following desired qualifications, if present, will be reviewed, but are not a requirement to be considered for the position. Adequate training to Specialty Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care Pharmacy areas will be provided.

• Completion of an ASHP accredited PGY1 Residency.
• Health system pharmacy experience.
• Specialty Pharmacy experience.
• Clinic order experience.
• Non-sterile compounding experience.
• Board certification in Ambulatory Care, Pharmacotherapy, Oncology, Certification in Specialty Pharmacy or other pertinent area.

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 penelope-berger@uiowa.edu

Additional Information

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

Compensation

• Pay Level: 12

Contact Information

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

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