Clinical Pharmacist - Ambulatory Care, Medication Assistance Center - 50%

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a 50% Clinical Pharmacist to join our Ambulatory Care team at the Medication Assistance Center. 

The Medication Assistance Center (MAC) clinical pharmacist will work closely with the other pharmacy staff and social workers on the Patient Medication Assistance Pharmacy (PMAP) team to provide assistance and options to patients in order to ensure access to necessary medications. This pharmacist also works with providers and clinical staff to provide information related to medication costs and alternatives. The pharmacist will be responsible for appropriate screening and review of patients, documentation, and follow up communication to the patient and other impacted teams. The pharmacist will also provide education to pharmacy department staff and be a resource for other teams to refer to for questions.

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

Position Responsibilities:

• Provides an evaluation of medication costs and pursues options to ensure affordable care to patients.
  • Completes benefits investigations for prescriptions sent to the Medication Assistance Center.
  • Evaluate patient’s prescription coverage status and provide options or make referrals as necessary.
  • Investigate options for copay assistance if medication affordability is a concern, including:
    • Copay cards
    • Grants
    • Manufacturer programs
    • Repository medications
  • Charity Care
  • Work with PMAP social workers to screen and enroll patients in appropriate programs, as applicable.
  • Communicates with prescribers, pharmacy teams, and other clinical staff about patient medication needs.

• Provides Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) on clinic-administered medications and take-home prescription orders.
  • Completes a comprehensive patient assessment which includes evaluation of the patient’s medications, and an evaluation of the patient’s medical history.
  • Evaluates all prescription orders to ensure the appropriateness of the following:
    • Indication for use
    • Dose
    • Route of administration
    • Drug interactions
    • Dose adjustments for organ dysfunction
    • Physical and therapeutic incompatibilities
    • Drug-induced side effects and adverse reactions
    • Potential drug misuse or abuse
    • Use of the most cost-effective therapy
    • Duplicate therapy
  • Ensures pharmacokinetic assessment of drug dosing on targeted patients through:
    • Clinical assessment of patients and desired therapeutic endpoints
    • Preparation of formal dosing recommendations
  • Communicates with prescribers about patient medication needs and provides information on affordable clinical alternatives.
  • Conducts review of patient profiles and updates as needed based upon findings at time of patient visit.
  • Provides appropriate drug information to other healthcare professionals.
  • Assesses drug allergies noted in the medical record.
  • Evaluates patient compliance with prescribed medication therapy and identifies problems that may lead to partial or noncompliance.

• Appropriately labels, tracks, and monitors inventory and supply in the pharmacy.
  • Accepts shipments from manufacturer programs and appropriately documents receipt in appropriate location (e.g. Drug Assistant).
  • Appropriately labels medications with required regulatory information prior to dispensing to patients or clinics.
  • Maintains and tracks inventory brought into the pharmacy.
  • Communicates appropriately about dispenses through other pharmacies or pickups in clinic locations.

• Documents all patient care activities performed
• The clinical pharmacist provides pharmacy-related services through sharing of information with other members of the healthcare team via documentation within the patient medical record and other on-line reporting systems.  Examples of documentation may include:
  • Process of evaluation, screening and investigation of options for patients expressing financial assistance need.
  • Communications with prescribers and other healthcare providers.
  • Patient interactions that occur either in person or by phone.
  • Medication counseling to patients.

• Coordinates patient communications and interactions related to medication affordability and assistance options.
• The clinical pharmacist educates patients on the services offered including the following:
  • Explanation of insurance copay amounts, if applicable.
  • Financial assistance options and process.
  • Appropriate follow up timeline.

• Provides educational services
• University of Iowa Health Care is a teaching institution; therefore, the clinical pharmacist is responsible for the education of students, fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate use.  The clinical pharmacist shall serve as a role model for staff and students.  The educational process crosses professional boundaries, as the clinical pharmacist interacts with and serves as an informational resource for other members of the health care team.  The clinical pharmacist takes great care to instruct all patients about the need for and appropriate use of prescribed medications. Examples of educational services may include:
  • Serving as preceptor for pharmacy students.
  • Presenting in-service educational programs to pharmacy staff, staff nurses, physicians, and other colleagues on the healthcare team.
  • Serving as mentor and role model for other pharmacist practitioners within the department, particularly those who provide ambulatory care services.

Complete and maintain compliance with all competencies and educational requirements.

Pay Level: PK45  https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/seiu-pay-plan