Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Infusions

Through the combined leadership of the BH Pharmacy Business Manager and BH Director of Clinical Programs, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the Regional Infusion Program is primarily responsible for leading/providing comprehensive and collaborative pharmaceutical care in support of an optimal outpatient infusion experience.

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for infusions will play a key role in the creation of several new initiatives designed to promote the standardization, enhancement and growth of the Baystate Regional Infusion program. Establishing relationships with providers inside and outside of Baystate will be crucial to success in this role. As the infusible medication expert, providers should rely on the specialist for education, consultation and support related to their infusion patients. This position will also be the day-to-day liaison between the inpatient pharmacy and nursing in the outpatient infusion suite and work very closely with the Referral Authorization Coordinators.

Clinical responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, timely and accurate medication order entry and/or verification, identification/resolution/prevention of drug-related problems, oversight of medication use protocols and/or restrictions, rounding on patients during infusion appointments, pre and post appointment consultations with patients as needed, recommend appropriate therapy for complex disease states, and provide medication education to nursing. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for infusions will be the subject matter expert on infusible medications.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for infusions will be expected to develop an in depth understanding of the entire service delivery process, including drug procurement, billing, authorization and key financial metrics. Support of these integral program components is crucial.

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist supports and leads clinical pharmacy and medication management initiatives, serves as the pharmacy representative on committees as appropriate, participates in research, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge through teaching and education of Pharmacy students, Pharmacy residents and Pharmacy staff, as well as Nursing staff and Prescriber staff both internally and externally.

Job Responsibilities:

1) Provide Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care for Care Area.

Monitor and maintain daily patient medication regimens with the following:

Monitor drug therapy to evaluate the appropriateness of use; Promote the optimal use of formulary medications; Review patient profiles, including dose, dosage form, regimen, route, therapeutic duplication, and drug interactions; prevent, detect, monitor, and document adverse drug reactions, Coordinate care across the continuum as needed

Provide pharmacokinetic consultations when appropriate (inside and outside of the hospital setting)

Counsel patients/family on discharge/transfer medications as appropriate

Participate in emergencies as appropriate

Documentation of services provided within pharmacy intervention database and patient medical record

Provide medication order review support as appropriate for patients

Resolve drug distribution-related issues

Cover standard weekend rotations and other assigned shifts as determined by departmental needs

Ensure adherence to Joint Commission standard

2) Serve as liaison between outpatient infusion locations and inpatient pharmacy operations as well as referring providers and outpatient infusion locations. Provide patient status follow-ups where appropriate.

3) Develop and Support evidence-based drug therapies for patients:
Plan, develop, and implement medication use therapies that are optimal from both a financial and a clinical perspective
Implement appropriate clinical practice guidelines and care plans through CIS
Coordinate Pharmacy and Therapeutics category/medication reviews as necessary.
Develop and conduct target drug programs and drug use evaluations as needed and report results to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
Monitor the use of high-cost, high-risk medications to ensure consistency with approved criteria.

4) Participate in Appropriate Medical Center Committees as needed.

5) Develop and lead provider and nursing education seminars to encourage optimal medication selection.

6) In partnership with finance/revenue/accounting departments, provide necessary clinical and administrative support to optimize financial outcomes and drive value to the regional infusion program.

7) Continuously evaluate all processes for improvement and drive implementation of change throughout the entire regional infusion program.

8) Develop and maintain relationships with infusion suite staff, current and potential providers (internal and external), pharmacy staff and partner departments.

Required Work Experience:

PGY-Year 1 or 3 years in direct patient care role

Preferred Work Experience:

PGY-2

Skills and Competencies:

1) Excellence in clinical, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
2) Must be results-oriented and able to meet deadlines
3) Proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
4) Advanced Cerner (CIS) user
5) Thrives on relationship building
6) Eagerness to learn and understand the insurance & finance aspects of healthcare delivery
7) Demonstrated ability to innovate and think in creativity
8) Effective leadership skills (project management, team leadership, etc) required
9) Proven knowledge and interest in teaching others (clinical and non-clinical)