CRITICAL CARE CLINICAL PHARMACIST

Overview

Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

The Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist provides specialized, comprehensive pharmaceutical care to critically ill patients through collaboration and participation in patient care rounds with medical and hospital staff. Prospectively evaluates all drug therapy for appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions, and drug allergies; monitors the patient’s pharmacotherapeutic regimen for effectiveness and ADEs; and intervene as needed.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Provides cost-effective, evidence-based pharmaceutical care to critically-ill patients, with few commitments outside the ICU area.
• Discuss medication order changes/clarifications with the intensivist or the prescriber, document any changes in patient and pharmacy records, and inform others of medication order changes.
• In conjunction with the clinical dietician, the pharmacist evaluates all orders for parenteral nutrition and recommends modifications as indicated to optimize the nutritional regimen.
• Provide pharmacokinetic consultations and clinical consultations as required.
• Deter, monitor, document and report adverse drug reaction and medication errors. Assists in their management and prevention, developing process improvements to reduce drug errors and preventable. ADEs..
• Provide drug information and intravenous compatibility information to the ICU team and uses the regional poison information center when indicated.
• Promote the use of the formulary when possible, but coordinates procurement of non-formulary drugs when necessary.
• Provide drug therapy-related education to ICU team member and pharmacy staff.
• Documents clinical activities that include, but are not limited to, disease-state management, general pharmacotherapeutic monitoring, pharmacokinetic monitoring, ADEs, education, and other patient care activities.
• Acts as a liaison between pharmacy, nursing, and the medical staff to educate health professionals regarding current drug-related procedures, policies, guidelines, and pathways.
• Provides consultation to hospital committees, when critical care pharmacotherapy issues are discussed including but not limited to the Critical Care and Code Blue Committees.
• Works closely with Clinical Manager and participates in quality assurance programs and clinical pathway development to enhance pharmaceutical care.
• Provide operational support to the pharmacy when needed.
• Develop and conduct target drug programs and drug usage evaluations as needed and report results to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Actively participate on rounds as a member of the multidisciplinary critical care and code blue teams.
• Maintain knowledge of current primary and tertiary references pertinent to critical care pharmacotherapy.
• Maintain ACLS certification and respond to all resuscitation events during scheduled shift. (Emergency Department resuscitation events are excluded). 

Qualifications:

• Minimum one (1) year inpatient pharmacy staffing experience primarily in a critical care setting, required.
• Knowledge and understanding of Joint Commission standards, required. 
• Ability to assist with cost saving initiatives and patient care optimization with respect to medications.
• Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) general practice residency and Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) critical care residency,  preferred.

Education/Experience:

• PharmD, required.

Licenses:

• Current license by the California State Board of Pharmacy, required.

Certification:

• BCPS, preferred. 
• Current BLS certification, required upon hire; American Heart Association Healthcare Provider.
• Current ACLS certification, required upon hire; American Heart Association Healthcare Provider

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work. 

*Salary/Hourly wage range for this position is posted.  Actual pay will be determined based on verified experience as well as internal equity.

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.