Clinician Manager, Pharmacy Services - University of Maryland Medical System

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General Summary

• Under limited supervision, supervises and manages the daily operations and personnel of the assigned pharmacy service program.
• May supervise clinical pharmacy specialists, clinical pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians.
• Assists in implementing pharmacy department goals and objectives as they apply to the mission of the department and the UMMS for quality pharmaceutical care services.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Management Responsibilities

Manages daily operation of an assigned pharmacy area or clinical pharmacy service. Provides oversight pharmacy personnel with respect to the goals and objectives of the Pharmacy department in collaboration with the Pharmacy Director and pharmacy leadership team in accordance with generally accepted pharmacy practice. Reviews department performance, effects changes in collaboration with the Director, to improve services provided and assures compliance with regulatory requirements.

• In consultation with the Technical Staff Coordinator, develops work schedules and assign staff to specific areas of responsibilities.
• Hires, evaluates work performance, disciplines and fires, if necessary, subordinate staff in accordance with established Medical Center personnel policies and procedures.
•  Provides required staff training and development as determined by Pharmacy management.
•  Assists employees as needed in the performance of their duties by providing technical guidance and direction, as needed.

Communicates with nursing and medical staff concerning prescriptions, orders, drug and pharmaceutical detail, patient reactions, errors, complaints and various related information in order to provide optimal patient care.

Interprets and enforces established department policies, procedures and objectives, performance improvement program initiatives, safety, environmental, and infection control.

• Maintains quality assurance standards (and records for reporting purposes) and quality techniques for the performance of Pharmacy services and general departmental operations. Evaluates pharmacy functions, practices, and reporting and record keeping, and use of drugs in the clinical setting.
• Introduces and demonstrates new techniques and equipment to staff.

Performs various specialized responsibilities within assigned area and initiates specialized programs and services deemed appropriate for that area.

Assists with and ensures the maintenance and care of department equipment and supplies if applicable. Maintains department records and files.

Attends meetings as required; participates on various committees as directed.

Clinical Pharmacy Services

• Participates in direct patient care with a medical or surgical team.
• Assists with therapeutic decisions such as drug product selection, drug dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring.
• Develops patient care plans in concert with the medical team.
• Recommends therapy or alternative approaches based on interpretation of relevant medical literature and clinical experience.
• Makes verbal or written recommendations in a clear, succinct and appropriate manner.
• Considers age, weight and organ function (e.g. renal, hepatic) when evaluating patients and patient’s therapies when making recommendations.
• Interviews patients and conducts physical assessments to determine medical history, previous medication condition and response to therapy.
• Interprets laboratory and other patient-specific data to develop treatment plans and to monitor response to therapy.
• Applies pharmacokinetic principles in order to achieve efficacious, safe and economical pharmacotherapeutic regimens.
• Responds to therapeutic queries posed by physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Identifies and corrects drug-related problems such as complications resulting from drug therapy (ineffective therapy, allergic reactions and adverse drug reactions).
• Establishes procedures for detecting significant drug-drug, drug-laboratory and drug-food interactions. Makes recommendations to avoid such interactions.
• Performs basic cardiac life support and participates in drug therapy management during medical emergencies.
• Ensures a continuum of care by cooperating with other health professionals and outside health organizations.
• Counsels' patients and/or caregiver as to the proper administration, potential adverse reactions, storage of medications, etc.

Education and Experience

• Licensure by the Maryland State Board of Pharmacy is required. Masters, doctorate or Doctor of Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Science degree from a college or university accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is required, or current enrollment in an advanced degree program. The completion of a residency accredited by the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists or comparable experience is preferred (see #3 below).
• Minimum of three (3) years clinical pharmacist experience is required. Minimum of two (2) years supervisory/managerial practice experience is preferred.

Completion of an ASHP accredited pharmacy practice residency, specialty residency or a fellowship; or five years relative clinical pharmacy experience is required. Completion of a PGY2 Residency is preferred.

Certification from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties is preferred. If specific practice involves the Anticoagulation Clinic, certification as a Anticoagulation Provider is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of generally accepted pharmacy principles, practices, and procedures; mathematics and statistics, chemistry and personal computer/ patient/drug information systems. Comprehensive knowledge of therapeutic pharmacology and pharmaceutics.
• Knowledge of health care management, administrative and operational principles and practices, including The Joint Commission (TJC) regulations and laws pertaining to use and dispensing of medications and related devices. Demonstrated knowledge of organizational problem solving and analytical skills are required to evaluate and resolve operational and supervisory/managerial issues.
• Knowledge of personal computer operation and applications, such as, spreadsheet database manager and word processing.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is necessary in order to understand clinical practices and converse with medical and nursing personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to affect pharmaceutical care outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, complete and evaluate assignments and projects of their own and others where delegation is required.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in ability to supervise, monitor daily work activities, evaluate, train and motivate the performance of staff.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills are necessary to work with clinical, upper management, administrative and other personnel from multiple Medical System departments and supervise staff.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

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