Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist

This is an Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist position in the Division of Pharmacy Services. This role will assist the Transitions of Care Team with inpatient discharges, LTC facility discharges, and medication therapy management in the Complex Care Clinic. This role also will be able to participate in Collaborative Practice opportunities pending DC requirements are met and credentialing at Children's is completed.

Under the direction of the Chief of Pharmacy and the Manager of Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy Services, the Ambulatory Clinical Care Pharmacist is responsible for medication management during transitions of care to improve medication safety, education, and adherence for the patients of Children's National Health System. This Pharmacist will work in an interdisciplinary approach with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducts comprehensive medication reviews and interventions during care transitions to assess appropriateness of medications, including dose, frequency, formulation, and duration, in order to optimize medication therapy and improve clinical outcomes. Assists with medication reconciliation to reduce risk of omissions and/or duplications. Conducts appropriate interventions on both inpatient and outpatient medication orders. Interventions are clear and appropriately documented.

• Updates medication histories as appropriate and provides recommendations to providers by optimizing medication therapy.

• If DC requirements are met, pharmacist may participate in Collaborative Practice opportunities in specialty clinics.

• Ensures that discharge medication regimens are complete and all necessary medications were prescribed with the appropriate dose, frequency, duration, and formulation. Works directly with patients to address potential barriers to medication access and/or adherence by optimizing the medication regimen in terms of appropriateness and affordability. Manages medication costs by assisting with prior authorizations and insurance formulary adherence.

• Supports, communicates, and follows up with medical team, including physicians, nurses, case managers, and social work regarding recommendations to improve medication therapy and drug information inquiries.

• Conducts bedside discharge medication counseling using the teach-back method in patient-specific language prior to patient discharge. Responsible for following up with patient post-discharge for medication education reinforcement and medication adherence outreach.

• Provides recommendations for formulary conversions from a hospital and prescription insurance formulary standpoint

• Assists with the coordination of the "Meds to Beds" prescription concierge service including medication availability and management of medication costs.

• Oversees and supervises support pharmacy personnel. Assists with inpatient pharmacist staffing as deemed necessary by supervisor.

• Complies with regulatory bodies such as HIPAA, D.C. Law, JCAHO, HRSA (340B), CMS, and Hospital Policies and Procedures

• Keeps abreast with knowledge for the field of work, including departmental, institutional, state, and federal policies and regulations.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree Completion of a five-year pharmacy program in an accredited college of pharmacy. (Required) Or

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Completion of a six-year pharmacy program leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in an accredited college of pharmacy. (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience

3 years Minimum 3 years as a clinical pharmacist with involvement in medication management, drug use evaluation, and quality assurance activities or completion of a pharmacy practice or specialty residency (PGY1 or PGY2)

Ambulatory Care experience preferred

Experience in a pediatric hospital is preferred

Will consider new graduates with relevant experience

(Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Exercise good judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information and situations.

Communication

• Ability to relay medical information in "lay language"

Knowledge of Joint Commission accreditation requirements

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Equipment

• Basic knowledge of computer applications (i.e. MS Word, E-mail, etc.)

Required Licenses and Certifications

Pharmacist District of Columbia 180 Days (Required)Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS); Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 180 Days (Required)

Functional Accountabilities

Medication Reconciliation

• Performs and documents medication reconciliation on eligible patients as appropriate

• Resolve all discrepancies in medication history in a timely manner

• Provide accurate and timely drug information to physicians, nurses and other health professionals

• Be able to identify high-risk medications upon admissions and communication effectively with providers

• Performs and documents medication reconciliation on eligible patients as appropriate

Discharge Counseling

• Conducts bedside discharge medication counseling using the teach-back method in patient-specific language prior to patient discharge

• Conducts bedside discharge medication counseling using the teach-back method in patient-specific language prior to patient discharge

• Consistently follows up with patient families to assess adherence to discharge regimen at recommended intervals.

• Provides patient-centered verbal medication counseling and education regarding medications and/or devices prior to patient discharge

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Customer Service

• Perform duties under the auspices of CNMC values 3 C's (Commitment, Connection, and Compassion)

• Communicates with staff and promotes staff ownership in problem solving and participation in operational decision-making

• Maintain and promote superior customer service at all levels of the organization

• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences

• Display a positive attitude within the department and across departmental lines in support of the hospital's programs and mission

• Maintain confidentiality of all hospital and patient information

• Foster mature professional relationships with fellow employees

• Establish and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and members of the general public

Financial / Contractual Compliance

• Complies with all pharmacy regulatory requirements pursuant to District of Columbia pharmacy licensure, including DEA, HRSA (340B), DOH, and FDA; including compliance with TJC (The Joint Commission) standards/Patient Safety Goals, Pharmacy Department Policies and Procedures and Hospital Policies and Procedures

• Complies with all medication safety practices in place

• Conducts appropriate billing and follows up with any insurance issues. Consistently makes recommendations for cost-effective therapies

• Complies with all regulatory bodies and requirements including HIPAA, DC Law, JCAHO and Hospital Policy and Procedures

Organizational Accountabilities

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance