Infusion Clinical Pharmacist IV

Pharmacy Technician

Delivers pharmaceutical care through the provision of patient-centered clinical service, medication information, education, medication preparation, and distribution that ensures safe, effective, and cost-efficient medication therapy. Responsible for ensuring safety in the compounding and dispensing of chemotherapy, biotherapy, and other infusion drugs. Provide direct patient care, patient education, and actively participate in clinical decision making. Support policy and program implementation to ensure safety of staff and patients during the preparation, administration, and monitoring of chemotherapy. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies, and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care. Meet ASHP requirements to precept pharmacy residents in an accredited residency program. Participate in educational activities such as precepting pharmacy students/residents, providing in-services or presentations to pharmacy, nursing, or providers.

Job Accountabilities:

• Initiates, monitors, modifies, and discontinues patient's drug therapy under the supervision of a physician in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement or an approved protocol.
• Completes medication regimen review from a clinical, safety, and cost perspective to identify duplicate therapy, high risk medications, drug interaction, and cost-effective alternatives.
• Collects and reviews patient medication histories, reviews vital signs, and evaluates the results of laboratory tests directly related to drug therapy.
• Responsible for ensuring safety in the compounding and dispensing of chemotherapy and other infusion drugs.
• Performs in accordance with approved protocols applicable to the practice setting.
• Prepares, compounds, packages, labels, and dispenses medication, and nutritional products where applicable.
• Works with individual patients and families to improve medication adherence.
• Makes evidence-based decisions designed to improve patient care and actively participates in clinical decision making.
• Identifies and works to resolve barriers to care, assists with access issues, develops relationships with health care providers, and coordinates services with providers, patients, and caregivers within Sutter Health, at external facilities, and in the community to provide seamless and integrated quality care.
• Performs one or more of the following:
• Second-level controlled substance management functions, analysis of use
• Medication utilization data capture
• Complex, high-cost, or hazardous drug sterile compounding
• Knowledge of 340B requirements with ability to optimize procurement strategies while meeting regulatory requirements
• Analyze reports/processes and the administrative functions surrounding those

Education:

• Delivers education and counseling to patients on medications.
• Provides in-service education to healthcare staffs and providers detailing the medications used to treat cancer or other complex indications and their complications, potential drug interactions, adverse reactions, and symptom management.
• Supports improvement efforts related to drug intelligence research for evidence-based medication use and education to the same.
• Supports process improvement efforts, and educates co-workers around medication reconciliation, medication renewals, and prior authorizations.
• Mentors and fosters a constructive teaching environment that helps students, interns, and Pharmacy Technicians build confidence in their skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Able to serve as the primary trainer and competency administrator for new staff for infusion pharmacy technicians, interns, residents, and pharmacists.
• Meets ASHP requirements to precept pharmacy residents in an accredited residency program.

Department Operations:

• Works to improve practice standardization including policy and procedure and workflow development.
• Identifies new systems, processes, protocols, and/or methods to improve practices.
• Actively contributes to the creation of cost-effective practices that ensure the best patient experience, effective resource utilization, and enhance care coordination outcomes.
• Effectively collaborates on process improvement activities and in development of staff/community education.
• Works independently, exercising sound judgment, and executing developed administrative skills to execute a variety of local or system projects, coordinate events, prioritize information and requests in a timely manner.
• Assists with medicine and supplies inventory management and control, including maintaining adequate stock levels, checking accuracy of pricing, and completing required regulatory documentation.
• Addresses second-level technical and mechanical issues with automated dispensing devices, pharmacy databases critical to maintaining pharmacy operations.
• Maintains accurate, current, complete documentation using approved forms and format according to department standards, including patient assessments, plans, interventions, patient/family involvement, outside agency communications, and interdisciplinary contacts.
• Complies with all requirements for mandated reporting, risk management and other medical/legal situations consistent with confidentiality policies and department standards.
• Completes all annual competency validation requirements.

Safety:

• Participates in quality improvement processes, including updating and revision of safety and procedure manuals and interdisciplinary projects.
• Maintains a clean, neat, and safe working environment by complying with policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Contribute to the development of approved policies/guidelines/protocols and participation in hospital committees.

Compliance:

• Maintains strictest confidence of all patients protected health information (PHI) and protects all PHI from accidental, intentional, or inappropriate disclosure.
• Prepares, administers, and documents medications and treatments in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the state board of pharmacy, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by monitoring nursing unit inspections; maintaining records for controlled substances; removing outdated and damaged drugs from the pharmacy inventory; supervising the work results of support personnel; maintaining current registration; studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; advising management on needed actions.
• Retains certification and completes mandated continuing education requirements to meet facility and regulatory agencies accreditation and licensure requirements.
• Develops hospital/clinic staff's pharmacological knowledge by participating in clinical programs, training pharmacy staff, students, interns, externs, residents, and health care professionals.

Education:

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited Pharmacy school or Postgraduate training/education
• OR Bachelor's degree with advanced clinical training experience or equivalent education/experience
• OR Master's Degree with advanced clinical training experience or equivalent education/experience

Certification & Licensure:

• PharmD - Pharmacist - California State Board of Pharmacy
• OR PHARMR - Registered Pharmacist - California State Board of Pharmacy

Typical Experience:

• 5 years recent relevant experience

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of medical terminology, generic and trade pharmaceutical names, pharmaceutical calculations and laws and regulations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current pharmacological/biopharmaceutical principles, pharmacotherapy, medical terminology, pathologies, disease states, and related information for a medical management plan.
• Knowledge of acute and chronic disease and its effects on patients and caregivers.
• Able to use professional judgment and clinical expertise in the daily solving of complex problems and in the provision of clinical information within the scope of practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of different Pharmacy practice settings, including controlled substance delivery and procedures.
• Carry out calculations and execute basic math skills needed for common dosage determination.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment or work processes in a timely, positive and effective manner.
• General knowledge of computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook), related pharmaceutical technology, EHR, and EPIC.
• Ability to perform basic inventory management duties
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork by willingly accepting responsibilities and performing assignments that support the team.
• Demonstrates knowledge of total quality management through its precepts, skillful workplace applications and continuous organizational improvement.
• Exhibits a customer/supplier philosophy that emphasizes both internal and external relationships; identifies both customer and supplier needs/expectations and strives to exceed them.
• Ability to participate in and encourages others to utilize creative and innovative approaches to accomplish tasks.
• Demonstrated responsibility for ongoing personal development, professional growth and continuing education.
• Interpersonal skills collaborating with physicians, patients, families, care givers, service providers, and health care team.