Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- Cardiology

Primary Function: The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cardiology works with the cardiology consult service (cardiologist, cardiology nurse practitioners, and medical residents), electrophysiology providers, catheterization laboratory staff, internal medicine hospitalists, intensivists and outpatient cardiology clinicians to enhance cardiology pharmacotherapy and associated outcomes. The cardiology specialist will also work to develop, implement, and sustain an anticoagulation stewardship program aimed to optimize the safe and efficacious use of both parenteral and oral anticoagulation therapy in accordance with the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission.

Responsibilities:

-Audit inpatient anticoagulation and cardiology pharmacotherapy with direct intervention and feedback to the prescriber to improve outcomes in patients with cardiac diseases while minimizing unintended consequences of high risk medications (ie: cost, toxicity, etc). Intervene to streamline, initiate, de-escalate or discontinue pharmacotherapy on the basis of cardiac disease, to eliminate redundant combination therapy and to optimize guideline-directed therapy based on individual patient characteristics, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the drug.

-In collaboration with the cardiology, internal medicine and critical care physicians, develop guidelines and clinical pathways related to cardiac medications coinciding with most recently published evidence based practice guidelines.

-Conduct routine auditing of the anticoagulation clinic to ensure that data is routinely collected and protocol is being adhered to in a safe and effective manner. Also provides annual review and updates as applicable to protocols and policies based off of therapeutic interventions and data results.

-Develop and sustain a pharmacist presence in the cardiology outpatient clinics and provide reimbursable visits to patients on high risk medications that require close monitoring (e.g. anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics). Maintain collaborative practice agreements with appropriate staff as necessary.

-Develop, implement, and maintain the Kent Anticoagulation Stewardship program, including running meetings and maintaining the agenda, schedule and minutes.

-Maintain formulary and restrictions related to cardiac therapy through collaboration with the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, including conducting medication utilization reviews of high cost and high risk medications annually or more frequently as needed.

-Develop and provide education to physicians, pharmacists, hospital staff, residents in the Graduate Medical Education program, and pharmacy residents and students to optimize cardiac therapy.

- Monitor and record cost-savings resulting from inpatient and outpatient cardiology and anticoagulation clinic interventions and initiatives.

Precepting Pharmacy Residents

In addition to the above responsibilities, the cardiology pharmacy specialist participates in the PGY1 pharmacy residency program as a preceptor for at least one elective cardiology rotation for each resident and may precept additional elective rotations and/or the major research project required. The pharmacist will model, coach and facilitate the resident’s learning to be able to perform the duties of a cardiology pharmacy specialist.

Job Qualifications and Specifications

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree with PGY-2 post-graduate residency training in cardiology (or minimum of 5 years clinical pharmacy practice in cardiology) is required. Current RI Pharmacist license is required. Board Certification in Cardiology Pharmacotherapy (or Board-eligible) is preferred but not required.

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions—Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, and our Wellness Center—are trusted organizations fueling the latest advances in medical research, attracting the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, and honing renowned services and innovative programs to engage in the important discussions people need to have about their health.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.