Clinical Pharmacist- Acute Care Pediatrics 70%-100%

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a 70-100%  Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist to join our team. Will consider flexible scheduling with the right candidate such as weekend option, 7 on 7 off etc.

The Clinical Pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care services as part of an integrated team in operational roles to support care for the pediatric patients at Stead Family Children’s Hospital.  Pharmacy locations the operations pharmacist may work from include the central pharmacy (Lower Level 1 Central Pharmacy), the perioperative pharmacy (Level 5), and decentralized patient care areas as assigned.

Selective candidates are eligible for a sign-on bonus up to $10,000

Position Responsibilities:

 Responsible for medication preparation and dispensing:. 

• Verify and dispense sterile, non-sterile,  hazardous preparations, pre-packaged medications, automated dispensing cabinet restocks, emergency drug trays and ambulance kits in accordance with physician orders and hospital protocols.
• Oversee  pharmacy technicians, providing guidance and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and hospital policies and procedures.
• Direct technician workflow to support timely preparation and delivery of medications, in coordination with area leadership as appropriate.
• Ensure accuracy and appropriateness of all medications dispensed.
• Assist with inventory control.
• Support quality control measures to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations
• Address and resolve medication-related issues or discrepancies.
• Evaluate the performance of pharmacy technicians and provide constructive feedback and guidance.
• Maintain current knowledge and competency in USP regulations related to medications dispensed.
• Provides Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM):
  • Evaluate inpatient and clinic medication orders and prescriptions to ensure accuracy and appropriateness
    • Indication for use, dose, route of administration, drug interactions, dose adjustments for organ dysfunction, physical and therapeutic incompatibilities, drug side effects and adverse reactions, presence of duplicate therapies, potential drug misuse or abuse, use of the most cost-effective therapy.
  • Assure pharmacokinetic assessment of drug dosing on appropriate patients through:
    • Clinical assessment of patients
    • Development of desired therapeutic goals
  • Preparation and communication of formal dosing recommendations
  •  Communicate with prescribers about patient medication needs
  •  Identify and evaluate adverse drug reactions
  • Provide drug information to other healthcare professionals
  • Confirm/clarify patient drug allergies noted in medical record
  • Complete medication histories and reconcile home medications against the admission medications
  • Review and reconcile all medications upon patient transfer between clinical services
  • Review daily therapeutic monitoring information for all patients served by the patient care unit and other patient care units covered by the pharmacist’s health care team
  •  Identify high risk medication therapy and review as appropriate
  • Complete competency exams and compliance training as required
  • Utilize appropriate resources and coordinate the resolution of financial concerns/burdens with Department financial counselors
  • Documents Patient Care Activities Performed:
    • Enter medication error information into reporting system
    •  Identify, evaluate, and take steps to avoid adverse drug reactions on all patients
    • Update patient allergies and patient-specific height and weight information when needed
    • Document interventions with prescribers and other health care providers
    • Document pharmacokinetic-based dosing recommendations and other pertinent patient information

 Spearheads Patient Care Initiatives: The pharmacist must become the patient’s advocate for all efforts centering on drug therapy.  The pharmacist must be able to positively influence therapeutic decisions which will affect patients and their care. 

• •  Coordinate medication orders written during assigned hours of duty
  • Review and verify medication orders
  • Complete documentation on all inpatient chemotherapy patients as required
  • Respond to order questions on the floor and assist with triage of orders when able
• Follow-up on medication system problems (e.g. late parenteral nutrition order receipt, high cost drug therapy, non-formulary drug requests, missing doses, unclear or inappropriate prescription orders)
•  Participate in multi-disciplinary initiatives
• Serve on intra- and interdepartmental committees as required
•  Provides Educational Services: Serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents on clinical rotations sponsored by the UI Health Care Department of Pharmaceutical Care
• Present inservice educational programs to staff nurses, physicians, and other members of the health care team
• Present at and participate in other educational programs sponsored by the Department of Pharmaceutical Care, the College of Pharmacy, other UIHC departments, and state and national organizations
• Coordinate/conduct patient medication education classes (where appropriate)
• Serve as a mentor and role model for other pharmacists within the Department

Participates in Research:  The Pediatric  Pharmacist should participate in research activities as appropriate, including providing support for Investigational Drug Service orders and prescriptions.

 Learning and Professional Development:  Seeks opportunities to enhance one’s own knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to one’s current position and/or to prepare for potential future roles and overall career development that contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.

Responsibility and Accountability:  Represents the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.  Supervision Received - Supervision is received from a Pharmacy Supervisor or other designated official.  Supervision Exercised - Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over support staff and students.