Clinical Pharmacist II - Critical Care

General Summary of Position

We are actively recruiting for an experienced Clinical Pharmacist II to join our Critical Care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Collaborates and consults with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe, efficacious and cost-effective prescribing, dispensing, administration and monitoring of medication in the provision of pharmaceutical care. In so doing, the pharmacist must have current, specialized drug knowledge and demonstrate judgment, communication skills, self-direction and motivation to affect positive interventions in patient outcomes beyond those exhibited by those in a Clinical Pharmacist I position. Participate in educational programs, as necessary, to provide basic and advanced services of the Pharmacy Department. Additionally, perform in the Clinical Pharmacist I role with its accountabilities and job activities pertaining to drug distribution, supervision and non- dispensing functions.

Primary Responsibilities
-Evaluates medication orders for accuracy and thoroughness. Resolves discrepancies of medication orders through communication with the physician, clinical pharmacist, or nursing staff and dispenses medication.
-Assesses feasibility, compounds or verifies the compounding of extemporaneous products. Recommends alternative products when appropriate.
-Prepares IV admixtures and compounds sterile products including, but not limited to: large volume parenteral, mini-bags, TPN solutions, and hazardous agents including cytotoxic drugs.
-Reviews patient profile to determine contraindications with the prescription. Screens drugs/dosages to assure appropriateness based on the therapeutic intent and the patient's physiological functions. Participates in monitoring drug therapy under the supervision of a clinical level pharmacist or above, when working in a decentralized setting.
-Dispenses controlled substances and maintains perpetual inventory of controlled substances, assuring legal requirements and departmental policies and procedures are consistently followed.
-Provides functional supervision for support personnel. Monitors attendance and work quality, organizes and prioritizes resources based on workload and productivity, and directs the workflow of support personnel. Ensures departmental standards and time frames are met.
-Enters and verifies computer entries and data for drug orders. * In decentralized setting, may instruct patients/families on the safe use of medications and counsel them on potential adverse effects.
-Monitors drug therapy of assigned patients and takes appropriate action to ensure optimum patient drug therapy, drug selection and minimal adverse reaction. Assures drugs/dosages are accurate based on the therapeutic intent and the patient's physiologic functions. Reviews patient profile to determine possible contraindications with the prescription.
-Participates autonomously in-patient care rounds. Reviews patient specific data to evaluate patient's status and medication needs and develops a therapeutic plan. Counsels/educates patient on their medications e.g. to correct dosing schedule and duplicate therapy.
-Assures compliance of prescribers with clinical practice guidelines and other drug policies or third-party prescription benefit management procedures, minimizes non-formulary drug use, eliminates therapeutic duplication. Makes recommendations for appropriate alternative medications, duplicate therapy and dosage changes.
-Provides educational services including professional development of pharmacy technicians, and the clinical pharmacists, pharmacy residents, nurses, prescriber and other healthcare professionals.

Qualifications
- Doctoral degree or equivalent Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of Pharmacy required
-PGY-1 or 3 years of direct patient care experience in a hospital setting required
-Verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills preferred.
-PHARMD - Licensed Pharmacist in Washington, DC required
-Board certification within one year of eligibility required

This position has a hiring range of $130,166 - $230,172