Pharmacy Practice Specialist - Informatics

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, is seeking a full-time Pharmacy Practice Specialist to join the pharmacy IT team.  This Pharmacy Practice Specialist (PPS) in Informatics will be responsible for effective process design, development, and implementation of the Electronic Health Record and Clinical Decision Support for UI Healthcare. This role will support pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other clinicians as the resource for requests related to information system changes and medication use with a specific focus on adult pharmacy practice with limited pediatric practice. This position will primarily focus on Willow Inpatient (which includes outpatient clinics). This position may require occasional travel.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Pharmaceutical Care Operations
   • Optimization of the process flow and communication of professional practices.
   • Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the medication use information systems.
   • Work with members of the pharmacy team to implement systems for patient care.
   • Assist with answering help desk tickets and phone calls.
2. Provide Education
   • Participate in and oversee the educational experiences of Pharmacy Practice Residents and students from the College of Pharmacy.
   • Education of new pharmacy staff on the use of the electronic health record/medication use systems
   • Provide education related to upgrades and/or other changes to medication use systems
   • Provide education related to other information system technology utilized in the department.
3. Health Care System Improvement
   • Collaborate with other hospital departments/providers to evaluate, develop and implement needed patient services.
   • Ensure professional quality control standards are maintained through control of the medication use process.
   • Evaluate problems/concerns identified by staff to determine a safe and effective resolution.
   • Assist with development of mechanisms to monitor charges and other financial data from the computer system.
   • Participate in the development and monitoring of pharmacy practice standards for the department of pharmacy.
   • Participate in the planning and implementation of new programs and services.
4. Compliance with Internal Policies and External Regulations for Safe and Effective Care Delivery and Health Profession Education
   • Assist with utilizing systems to help ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
   • Monitoring of data to ensure accuracy.
5. Planning: Tactical, Strategic
   • Monitors progress of work against plan as required to meet objectives.
   • Reports variances and makes agreed-upon correction.
   • Under guidance, develops tactical plan for own direct responsibility.
   • Anticipates and adapts to plan changes.
6. Relationship Management
   • Describes the roles and responsibilities in a collaborative working relationship.
   • Alerts own team to problems in functionality or end-user satisfaction.
   • Ensures prompt and effective response to requests and interactions from end-users
   • Works with end-users to address critical issues and resolve major problems.
7. Accountability
   • Creates a team environment of accountability and commitment for achieving area specific goals.
   •  Applies available tools and resources to work efficiently.
   • Develops and applies project selection and resource allocation criteria with the team.
8. Project Management
   • Gather data and assess need for new services, including but not limited to, new technology, equipment, facilities and clinical services, to meet patient care and safety needs.
   • Project planning, development and design, budgeting, staffing, staff education/communication. 

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Completes and maintains certification related to the computer system (e.g., Epic Willow Inpatient, Epic Willow Ambulatory, Epic Cognito, Epic Willow Inventory, etc.).
• Creates a team environment of accountability and commitment for reaching project goals.
• Applies available tools and resources to work efficiently.
• Helps others identify and work around problems that could impede progress.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in collecting and evaluating data to identify drug use problems.
• Implements interventions to solve drug use problems and improve further drug use.