Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

Covenant HealthCare

US:MI:SAGINAW

VARIABLE SHIFT

FULL TIME BENEFITED

Summary:

Responsible for the provision of safe, effective and prompt medication therapy for patient receiving specialty medications. In this role, the pharmacist applies knowledge and expertise of specialty disease state management to develop and implement clinical services including patient assessment, medication reconciliation, patient education and regular follow up with our patients. Proactively influences medication use and makes recommendations concerning patient's medication profile with an emphasis on improved drug utilization, decrease cost of hospitalization, and/or improved patient outcomes. Assesses medication orders for appropriateness of therapy considering patient-specific factors and evaluates relevant laboratory results and/or tests or procedures.

Responsibilities:

The selected individual will:

• In this role, the pharmacist applies knowledge and expertise of specialty disease state management to develop and implement clinical services including patient assessment, medication reconciliation, patient education and regular follow up with our patients

• Staffing requirements will include reviewing prescriptions issued by the Physician, or other authorized prescriber to assure accuracy, appropriateness of medication, and determine formulas and ingredients needed.

• Assesses medication orders for appropriateness of therapy considering patient-specific factors and evaluates relevant laboratory results and/or tests or procedures

• Directs pharmacy workers engaged in mixing, packaging, and labeling pharmaceuticals.

• Compound and dispense medications for accurate delivery to patients

• Educate health care professionals using multiple communication methods, such as presentations, newsletters, emails, the pharmacy intranet, one-on-one sessions, and other means

• May float to provide coverage of pharmacy needs

• Provides education and information on pharmaceutical care and drug therapy to patients, pharmacy staff, physicians, nurses, students, other clinicians and patients.

• Provides drug therapy management and assessment including identifying and resolving potential and actual drug related problems.

• Provide clinical recommendations pertaining to gaps in care, high risk medications, compliance and adherence, drug interactions, therapeutic substitution

• Utilize formulary information to guide appropriate medication recommendations

• Efficiently perform evidence-based scientific evaluation of the medical literature evaluations using information from multiple databases and other sources

• Work with electronic medical record pharmacists to optimize the use of clinical decision support tools and order sets to improve medication use process and patient outcomes

• Communicates and collaborates with physicians and other clinicians to develop drug therapy policies, protocols, and guidelines.

• Performs other related duties as assigned such as quality assurance reports, preparation for regulatory inspections, etc.

• Assist with academic functions such as serving as a preceptor for pharmacy students

• Responsible for the provision of safe, effective and prompt medication therapy for patient receiving specialty medications

• Proactively influences medication use and makes recommendations concerning patient's medication profile with an emphasis on improved drug utilization, decrease cost of hospitalization, and/or improved patient outcomes

• Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team to maximize safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of specialty medication therapy

• Acts as a liaison and the clinical pharmacy contact for the Specialty Pharmacy and the prescriber's office to optimize patient care, improve efficiency and provide cost-effective pharmaceutical care

• Determines appropriateness of specialty medication based on indication, patient weight, renal function, liver function, and other patient-specific factors

• Ensures timely delivery of medication to patient from specialty pharmacy

• Identifies and documents utilization management and appropriateness of therapy

• Completes ADR/FDA MedWatch Form for all reported ADRs and Compliant Form within specified time per policy and procedure

• Conducts patient education, intervention, and therapy assessments; documents patient care plans; maintains related medical documentation; and communicates to physician office according to policy

• Follows up or monitors patients newly started on specialty medication to evaluate for adverse drug events and adherence

• Documents medication tolerance and assist clinicians in management of adverse reactions

• Answers questions and provides information pertaining to drug interactions, side effects, dosage, administration, and medication storage

• Initiates or assist with the prescription benefits investigation process

• In collaboration with the providers, ensures insurance prior authorizations and pursues insurance appeals as needed

• Assists with obtaining third-party financial assistance for underinsured patients and/or obtaining medications at no charge through manufacturer assistance programs for uninsured and underinsured patients

• Serves as an expert drug information resource for patients, their families, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers

• Complies with quality metrics, performance criteria, turnaround times, and customer service metrics

• Other duties as needed and assigned by the manager

Other information:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Current and unrestricted Michigan licensures to practice as a pharmacist

• PharmD Required

• Preferred Certified Specialty Pharmacist Certification- or able to obtain once qualifications met

• Maintains professional development through seminars, workshops, in-service activities, and current professional literature.

• Prior experience in specialty pharmacy and clinic setting

• Medication therapy management or chronic disease management

• Prior experience presenting clinical information in various settings

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Excellent organizational, teamwork, interpersonal, time management, consensus-building, and written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent communication skills (fluency in writing, reading and speaking English)

• Experience in student and resident education

• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software

• Ability to perform a variety of manual dexterity movements (i.e., keyboard data entry)

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work within various settings within the organization including but not limited to- Outpatient Pharmacy, Hospital Floors, Physician Offices.

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards

NOTICE REGARDING LATEX SENSITIVITY IN APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT.

It has been determined that Covenant HealthCare cannot provide a latex safe or latex free work environment at any of its facilities. Unfortunately, that means that any individual, including an applicant or an employee, is likely to be exposed to latex while on Covenant's premises. Therefore, latex tolerance is considered to be an essential function for any position with Covenant.