Clinical Pharmacist- Ambulatory Care Pediatrics

The ambulatory care clinical pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care services as part of an integrated team to support care for the pediatric patients within Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The primary work location for the pharmacist in the position is the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy (Level 2), and decentralized operational areas as assigned. Additionally, this role may also support both pediatric and adult ambulatory care operations at an offsite, central fill location.

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

Position Responsibilities:

Responsible for medication preparation, dispensing, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM): 

• Evaluate medication orders and prescriptions to ensure the appropriateness of the following:
  • Indication for use
  • Dose/frequency
  • Route of administration
  • Drug interactions
  • Dose adjustment 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.
• Communicate with prescribers about patient medication needs
• Provide drug information to other healthcare professionals
• Confirm/clarify patient drug allergies noted in medical record
• Complete medication histories on all patients and reconcile home medications against the discharge medications
• Evaluate patient compliance with prescribed medication therapy and identify problems that may lead to partial or non-compliance
• Identify high risk medication therapy and review as appropriate.
• Ensure accuracy and appropriateness of medication dispensed.
• Coordinate discharge planning activities such as interacting with the prescriber to facilitate prescription writing, conducting patient counseling when appropriate including at bedside through the Meds-to-Beds service, and communicating with other internal and external stakeholders to ensure pharmacy-related services commence immediately upon discharge from UI Health Care when appropriate.
• Assist with inventory control.
• Address and resolve medication-related issues of discrepancies.
• Support quality control measures to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
• Oversee pharmacy technicians and students, providing guidance and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and hospital policies and procedures.
• Direct technician workflow to support timely preparation of prescription orders, in coordination with area leadership as appropriate.
• Evaluate the performance of pharmacy technicians and provide constructive feedback.
• Complete required competency exams as required by the Department.
• Utilize appropriate resources and coordinate the resolution of financial concerns/burdens with Department financial counselors.

Documents Patient Care Activities Performed 

• Medication error information into standard 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
• Provide and document medication counseling to patients
• Document interventions with prescribers and other health care providers
• Document pharmacokinetic-based dosing recommendations and other pertinent patient Information

·         Provides Educational Services

• A crucial responsibility of the Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist is the education of fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate usage.  New and future pharmacy practitioners are continually exposed to the day-to-day activities of the practicing clinical pharmacist; therefore, the clinical pharmacist must serve as a role model for these staff and students.  The educational process must also transcend professional boundaries, as the Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist interacts with and serves as an information resource for other members of the health care team.  Lastly, the Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist takes great care to instruct all patients about the need for an appropriate use of prescribed medications.
  • • Serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents on clinical rotations sponsored by the UIHC Department of Pharmaceutical Care.
    • Serve as a mentor and role model for other pharmacists and staff within the department.

Participates in Research

• The Pediatric Clinical 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.

Other duties as assigned.