Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship

Job Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time

Work Shift: Day (United States of America)

FLSA Status: Exempt

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

The Infectious Disease Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, reports to the Director of Pharmacy and with direction from the Chief of Infectious Disease, is responsible for the provision of safe, effective, appropriate, and cost-efficient antimicrobial medication therapy to patients at Mount Auburn Hospital. Collaboratively with the Chief of Infectious Disease, this individual will serve as the co-chair for the multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, and act as a representative of this committee at the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and at applicable enterprise committees. This individual will lead the tracking, trending, and analysis of antimicrobial use and resistance patterns. They will develop and participate in education of prescribers, healthcare providers, pharmacists, and nurses to support the stewardship program, which aims to: prioritize patient safety and ensure appropriate antibiotic use in a cost-effective way. The Stewardship specialist is responsible for antibiotic formulary optimization; to improve congruence with evidence-based practice, while evaluating cost/benefit of proposed formulary additions. The Stewardship specialist will participate in precepting PGY1 residents and pharmacy students.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a clinical practice with a patient care service, collaborating within the multidisciplinary model with medical staff and nursing personnel to optimize pharmacotherapeutic aspects of patient care.
• Provide optimal selection of pharmacologic agents, and design of regimens to maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing toxicity. Provide daily follow-up on the clinical effects of the regimen with suggested adjustments as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
• Provide clinical information to healthcare professionals in response to specific patient care questions regarding treatment of infectious diseases. Provide professional education regarding new medications and technologies. Provide ongoing education to healthcare professionals, trainees, and patients. Responsible for monitoring and assessing performance of the learner and providing feedback using appropriate learning objectives that align with the desired learning outcomes.
• Provide visual, verbal, and written clinical education and training to pharmacy students, pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and pharmacy residents in the Department of Pharmacy.
• Coordinate and support the antimicrobial stewardship program, including but not limited to: a. Overseeing daily prospective audit of antimicrobials  b. Working with the infectious disease service to approve and evaluate appropriate use of restricted antimicrobials c.  Ongoing evaluation and maintenance of the antimicrobial formulary approved by the P&T committee d. Developing guidelines, policies, and other monitoring and intervention strategies for antimicrobial use and streamlining prophylactic empiric and definitive antimicrobial therapy. e. Compiling data and metrics on antimicrobial use to be reported to leadership f. Reporting data and findings to the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
• Co-chairing the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee
• Review and accurately interpret physician orders: checking for appropriateness of orders related to indication, clarity, accuracy of dose, medication allergy evaluation, potential drug interactions and duplication (two or more drugs with the same therapeutic action). Contact physician or nurse when necessary to prevent any problems or potential problems with the order. Document the intervention and outcome.
• Must possess sufficient professional knowledge, organizational and related skills to meet the standards of the department.
• Participate in staff meetings. Demonstrate commitment to continuous quality improvement with suggestions for improving service.
• Provide accurate, appropriate, and timely drug information utilizing knowledge of pharmacology, reference books and scientific literature.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Pharmacy Laws, regulations, and professional standards by keeping appropriate records (i.e., accurately maintains the Pharmacy Department perpetual inventory for controlled drugs). Accurately anticipates controlled drug needs of each patient care area based on completed Controlled Drug Disposition Record.
• All work performed by Pharmacy Technicians and other support staff is verified and is complete and accurate prior to dispensing.
• Accept special assignments and instructions from supervisor willingly. Routinely volunteer for special assignments. Completion of at least one special project required for an “exceeds standard” rating.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work alone as well as with others. Supports teamwork concept. Demonstrates pride in self and workplace.
• Handle stressful situations in a professional manner. Identify circumstances when appropriate to seek administrative assistance.
• Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for all aspects of professional practice.
• Maintain a neat work area at all times. Actively participate in department housekeeping duties. Assist in the organization of the department.
• Consistently demonstrates leadership, initiative and willingness to accomplish departmental goals.
• Is willing to adjust personal schedule in case of department need, such as staying late to finish important duties, working weekends, filling in for a co-worker, preparing for inspections, inventories and changes is patient workload.
• Compliant with attendance policy.
• Appearance is always neat. Observes department dress code.
• Practice reflects philosophy, core values and mission statement of hospital.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Specialty residency or fellowship in Infectious Disease/Antimicrobial Stewardship, or 3-4 years equivalent experience in a hospital/clinic based antimicrobial stewardship practice, or equivalent experience.
• Board Certification in Infectious Disease (BCIDP) is preferred; BCIDP must be obtained within the first year of hire.
• Graduate of accredited school of Pharmacy Licensed to practice Pharmacy in Massachusetts.
• Requires independent decision-making, clinical judgment, and in-depth knowledge of infectious diseases and therapeutics.
• Must be able to perform order entry and utilize all Registered Pharmacist functions of the Pharmacy computer system accurately and efficiently.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Learn more about this requirement.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled