Job Details

University of Michigan Health-West (Formally Metro Health) is looking for Decentralized Clinical Pharmacist.

The decentralized clinical pharmacist (DCP) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Pharmacy (primarily from decentralized locations throughout the hospital), under the direction of the Director of Pharmacy Services and the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator. DCPs provide consultation to physicians, nursing staff, and patients regarding the safe, and effective use of medications in all patient populations to promote positive outcomes. Pharmacists supervise the distribution, disposition, security, preparation, and procurement of medications, provide education, and participate in pharmacy clinical services. Additionally, DCPs, supervise, and direct the efforts of support personnel. DCPs participate in quality initiatives involving optimal medication delivery and use. DCPs have the added role of representing the Department of Pharmacy Services outside of the main pharmacy, being present in patient care areas and providing face-to-face services for Metro’s patients, physician, nurses and other staff.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

I. Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients according to established policies, procedures, protocols, directives, or pharmacy operation standards.

1. Participates in development, implementation, and maintenance of clinical pharmacy services.
2. Participates in the development and implementation of treatment guidelines, protocols, formulary changes, policy and procedures, and critical pathways as approved by appropriate committees.
3. Monitors drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies, and appropriateness of drug and dose
4. Participates in pharmacokinetic (TDM- Therapeutic Dose Monitoring service) consults, renal drug intervention screening, IV to oral conversions, patient care rounds, and other patient-specific consults or interventions as assigned
5. Sustains the formulary by minimizing non-formulary procurements, utilizing therapeutic substitution protocols, and promoting rational drug therapy selection.
6. Participates in the pharmacy's pharmacoeconomic efforts. Reviews the use of targeted medications for compliance with current pharmacoeconomic programs.
7. Provides clinical consultation and clarification to practitioners. Suggests appropriate, cost-effective therapeutic alternatives to medical staff as needed.
8. The following are daily distributive pharmacist functions.
   • Receives, interprets, clarifies (if necessary), and institutes action on all medication orders and outpatient prescriptions.
   • Completes a profile review concurrently while verifying physician orders focusing on duplication, in-complete orders, interactions, interferences, or incompatibilities.
   • Supervises the preparation of sterile IV admixtures.
   • Prepares chemotherapy.
   • Has oversight of the procurement process to assure the safest, most cost effective products are used for each patient order.
   • Prepares or supervises the production of other compounded or extemporaneous medications.
   • Fills or checks the filling of automated drug dispensing machines.
   • Fills or checks the filling of unit dose carts.
   • Checks all pre-packaging and set-ups done by supportive personnel.
   • Supervises the filling of controlled substance requests for nursing stations.
   • Supervises the restocking of drug boxes for area ambulances.
   • Keeps records of controlled substances, reports discrepancies to Pharmacy Director.
   • Assists in completion of annual inventory

II. Provides education and information on pharmaceutical care and drug therapy.

1. Provides accurate, adequate, and timely drug information to the professional staff.
2. Provides drug information to patients and caregivers.
3. Contributes to pharmacy newsletter(s) or web posts for physicians and other health care professionals.
4. Supervises and instructs pharmacy students on clinical rotations.
5. Under supervision / approval of Director or Clinical Coordinator, participates in clinical data collection, and preparation and/or presentation of drug reviews, medication use evaluations, antibiograms, adverse drug reaction reports, medication event reports, and pharmacy clinical workload reports.

III. Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department.

1. Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments. Ensures pharmacy services or assigned work tasks are completed in a timely manner.
2. Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians. Participates in the performance appraisal of pharmacy support personnel.
3. Supervises and directs support personnel regarding the completion of monthly floor stock inspections.
4. Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat, safe, and well organized.
5. Establishes productive, collaborative relationships with staff members.
6. Assists other department personnel in completion of their duties.
7. Answers the telephone and directs calls as necessary.
8. Other duties as necessary.

IV. Actively Promote/Participate Safety and Quality Improvement

1. Participates in the quality improvement and medication use review activities of the Department and the Hospital to prevent adverse drug events and to promote the effective use of medications. Collects data; conducts quality monitors and inspections and maintains logs, records and other documentation as assigned. (examples - external: LeapFrog, BCBS, ISMP, MPRO, internal: pharmacist order review/entry, medication event reporting). These activities will be monitored via annual performance reviews.
2. Documents all clinical activities and interventions accurately and completely as assigned.
3. Detects and reports actual and potential adverse drug reactions and medication events in a timely manner, consistent with hospital medication safety policies.
4. Follows appropriate incident reporting polices as related to employees, visitors, and patients.
5. Utilizes personal protective equipment and safety precautions at all times when handling hazardous or potential infectious materials.
6. Follows policies and procedures with respect to fire and disaster drills.
7. Provides a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
8. Cooperates and participates in departmental and health system quality initiatives.
9. Contributes to the improvement of services through the sharing of ideas / knowledge with supervisors and co-workers.
10. Promotes and champions the evaluation of new technologies, information, clinical services, or other mechanisms that enhance or improve the ability of the Department and Hospital as a whole to provide safe and effective pharmaceutical care.

V. Lead, conduct and/or participate actively in committees/meetings.

1. Attends and participates Pharmacy staff meetings.
2. Attends assigned intradepartmental structure meetings and completes assignments pursuant to those committee activities.
3. Attends and participates in other programs, committees, meetings, and functions required by the health system or Pharmacy.

VI. Communicate effectively with both internal and external personnel.

1. Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills in order to provide clear, unbiased information in a positive customer service fashion