AMBULATORY CARE PHARMACIST

Ambulatory Care Pharmacist will work closely with assigned clinics to provide comprehensive Medication Management Services to patients and providers. Medication Management Services is a multi-department service line dedicated to supporting patients and providers to enhance quality of care, medication access, and customer service. The Ambulatory Care Pharmacist will work directly, onsite with clinics and provide remote support to clinics, providers, or patients.

The Ambulatory Care Pharmacist actively coordinates and executes on the needs of pharmacy, provider, and patient. Other expectations include proficiently managing and facilitating the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards. The Ambulatory Care pharmacist will also serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and residents and involved with clinical research and practice advancement opportunities.

Essential Functions and duties

• Medication Order Management
  • Reviews medication orders for completeness and appropriateness, including indication, patient-specific attributes that warrant individualization of therapy (or avoidance of therapy entirely) drug / food interactions, therapeutic duplications and allergies
  • Applies pharmacotherapy to evaluate appropriateness of medication, dose and schedule– including therapy individualization based on age, end-organ function and co-morbidities 
  • Addresses clinical concerns collegially about medications orders, pertinent labs and/or disease states with prescribers and allied health care professionals
  • Solves problems in the medication use process for patients and the organization.
  • Oversees management of Prior Authorization process; interfaces with both internal and external pharmacies for medication orders, approval, and delivery.
  • Provides intensive, individualized medication adherence counseling.
  • Reviews medical record for patient response, occurrence of adverse events, and omission of therapies
  • Executes departmental, clinical and operational protocols.  Effectively utilizes guidelines and procedures to optimally impact patient care
  • Documents medication interventions and occurrence reports
  • Conducts medication histories and medication reconciliation
  • Promotes and demonstrates rational, cost-effective drug therapy 
  • Support retail/specialty pharmacy to promote high medication adherence for patients
• Collaborative Practice
  • Communicates effectively with physicians, educators, patient navigators and program coordinators
  • Implement and maintain innovative disease management programs and clinical pharmacy services
  • Aligned with Centers of Excellence goals
  • Clarifies orders with provider physician. Reviews patient chart for requisite background information prior to contacting physician.
  • Contributes to pharmacy quality and medication safety initiatives: Reporting of ADRs, medication errors and other issues/concerns. Identifies and engages in organizational and department quality improvement activities to improve patient care, medication use process, and pharmacy operations
  • Works collaboratively with outside pharmacy, clinicians, and clinical staff to optimally meet the medication needs of the patient.
  • Serves as a medication expert to physicians and clinic staff.  Intervenes before or at the time of ordering of medications
  • Serves as a thought leader to internal Pharmacy and medical staff that includes drug interactions, appropriate therapy, and consultation regarding medically complex cases.
  • Utilizes new technology to assist with patient self-monitoring and care team remote monitoring
  • Participates in ongoing clinic program development and ensuring adherence to and standards of care and regulation/compliance.
  • Educates and trains residents, students, interns, colleagues and other health care professionals as well as supervises technicians, residents, interns, or trainees in their job tasks
  • Works to understand the different requirements needed to help assist patients in finding the best path to obtaining medications
  • Assists with care coordination for high risk patients as needed and in collaboration with medical social worker
  • Participates in interdisciplinary care conferences with primary care providers and/or other care management teams to develop individualized plan of care
  • Provides education services for individual and group education sessions, depending on level of patient need or urgency
  • Assists with care coordination following transitions of care
  • Exemplifies organizational mission and values of respect, integrity, quality and teamwork as consistently evident in behavior
• Documentation
  • Documents patient care activities appropriately through use of Clinical Intervention System.
  • Utilizes Occurrence Reporting System to document medication errors.
  • Completes clinical interventions related to ADR/ADE’s.
• Quality Improvement
  • Contributes to pharmacy quality and medication safety initiatives: reporting of ADRs, medication errors and other issues/concerns. Identifies and engages in organizational and departmental quality improvement activities to improve patient care, medication use process, and pharmacy operations.
  • Demonstrates effective problem-solving techniques and promotes same in others.  Completes special projects in a timely manner.
• Customer Service
  • Responsive to concerns or requests of nurses, patients, doctors, employees and the public. Cooperates with others within and outside of the department.  Coordinates work efforts.  Offers assistance to others when needed or in special situations.
  • Maintains patient/employee confidentiality.
  • Communicates information clearly and accurately in a courteous manner and tone.  Follows up as appropriate to ensure messages or instructions are understood.
  • Makes every effort to provide for a positive patient experience during encounters. Utilizes the Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You (AIDET) methodology when talking to customers/patients. 
  • Answers, places and transfers telephone calls in a prompt and courteous manner identifying oneself by name and location. Responds to pages in a prompt manner.
  • Offers translation services if unable to communicate with non-English speaking patients
• Drug Information
  • Keeps current on new drugs.
  • Answers questions timely and accurately
  • Provides continuing education lecture, written report, public education lecture, or Hospital Reports to management sponsored event as requested.
• Standards of Performance
  • Works efficiently to complete assignments and meet deadlines.  Requires no overtime for normal shifts.  Takes on additional work as needed.
  • Is consistent and accurate.  Output is complete, thorough and neatly done.  Follows instructions carefully.  Discusses deviations from procedure with supervisor before acting.
  • Is willing and available to carry out assignments and to be accountable for results.
  • Upholds standards of attendance and punctuality.  Is present for work as scheduled.  Is rarely absent and never without legitimate reason.  Notifies supervisor well in advance of any absences or vacation time needed.  Arrives and leaves at scheduled times.  Adheres to break and lunch time.  Is willing to work overtime when necessary.
  • Communicates (i.e. emails, messages, etc.) in a time appropriate manner
• Performs other related duties as required

MINIMUM Education:

• Graduate of a college of Pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical

Education (ACPE) required.  Doctor of Pharmacy and hospital pharmacy residency preferred

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE:

• One year if hospital pharmacy experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Excellent drug knowledge base including pharmacokinetics, dosing and nutritional support
• Good computer skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

REQUIRED LICENSES, Certificates, Registrations:

• Licensed as a Registered Pharmacist in the State of Illinois.
• Completion of a PGY1 pharmacy residency or PGY2
• Five (5) years ambulatory pharmacy experience may substitute for residency experience
• PGY2 pharmacy residency in Ambulatory Care highly preferred
• BCPS or BCACP Certification preferred