Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pain and Palliative Care

Job Summary

Responsible for providing medication therapy management services, both clinical and distributive tasks as necessary, in collaboration with other providers to assure that drug therapy is safe, effective, efficient and cost-effective; pharmacy services provided may include, but are not limited to, medication distribution, interdisciplinary patient care rounds, medication history oversight, patient education, medication therapy monitoring, medication orders management, drug information, and drug dosing; takes a leadership role in continuous quality improvement efforts and represents the department as an interdisciplinary interface in the assigned specialty areas; ensures that patient care is maintained through compliance with the department's policies, rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy, and other applicable regulatory bodies; provides oversight and direction to Pharmacy Technicians working within their area of practice; may provide training and education to onboarding team members and other learners, as requested through practical and didactic experiences; acts independently within the scope of their license and areas of expertise with the help of general policies, procedures and practice guidelines with support from Pharmacy Leadership; may be required to act in the capacity of another pharmacy leader in their absence or when designated to do so.

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I is recognized as the expert in own area within the organization; has specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own discipline and/or function; interprets internal and external issues and recommends solutions/best practices; solves complex problems and takes a broad perspective to identify solutions; and may lead projects.

Specific responsibilities will be documented and retained internally by the Department of Pharmacy.

Primary Responsibilities

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 responsibilities performed.

• Provides pharmaceutical care to patients including the promotion of optimal drug therapy and safe use of medications. Assesses patient-specific data to evaluate medication needs, verifies medication orders, and oversees the preparation, dispensing, distribution and monitoring of all medications.
• Collaborates and consults with and provides education to pharmacy and medical staff, nurses, allied health professionals, patients and caregivers. Acts as a preceptor for learners as directed.   
• Manages care, quality, and costs by engaging in the systematic and continuous process of evaluating and improving the utilization of medications in a patient population in order to enhance the quality, safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the medication use process.   
• Oversees and directs the work of other pharmacy staff and ensures service standards are met.
• Participates in and/or provides direct patient care in any setting or capacity.  
• Supports interdisciplinary rounds, prepares materials, and participates in facility committees, and or implements strategic initiatives.   
• Takes a leadership role in continuous quality improvement efforts and represents the department as an interdisciplinary interface in the assigned specialty areas.   
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience - Required

• Doctorate of Pharmacy Required (PharmD) unless graduated from U.S. School of Pharmacy in or before 2003 OR Foreign Equivalent 
• 6 years experience OR PGY-2 Residency / Fellowship OR 3 years plus PGY-1 Residency required OR 3 years experience plus specialized pharmacy certification
• Maryland Pharmacist License

Education & Experience - Preferred

• Specialty Residency  
• Board Certified preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Prioritizes work responsibilities and manages multiple demands.
• Demonstrates an awareness of self-responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.
• Adheres to all best practice standards and guidelines within scope of professional practice and follows all hospital policies, procedures, and guidelines. 
• Maintains competency in work- and pharmacy-related technology and applications and supports orientation and/or training of team members when appropriate. 
• Seeks validation of knowledge base, skill level, and decision making as necessary and assertively seeks guidance in areas of question.  
• Practices effective problem identification and resolution skills as a method of sound decision making. Accepts change as a part of the problem-solving process.  
• Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills, using lines of authority appropriately.   
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, workshops, in-service meetings, etc. 
• Identifies the extent of the health system’s adherence to best practices and guidelines relevant to medication management.  
• Attends hospital and departmental meetings as required.
• Utilizes appropriate customer relations skills when interacting with patients, their families, visitors, team members, and others, to ensure all customers are treated with respect and dignity.   
• Represents the department on hospital committees, professional associates, and community organizations where appropriate. 
• Participates in the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines pertaining to medication use and management.  
• Maintains knowledgeability of the daily operations of UMMS, including the Pharmacy Department, through active engagement and awareness of departmental communications via mailbox, bulletin boards, and/or e-mail. 
• Maintains knowledgeability of the mission, vision, and values of UMMS.  

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation:

Pay Range: $60.76-$97.01

• Other Compensation (if applicable): Eligible for up to $10,000 Sign-On Bonus, Eligible for Relocation Bonus
• Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide