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Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH)

Clinical Pharmacist - Critical Care and Emergency Services

Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH), Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298


This position is a split position: 50% of service to ICU patients and 50% of service to Emergency Medicine patients.

This position is on average five weeks of days and 1 week of evenings in a six-week block and every fourth weekend. Evening shift and weekend duties rotate through covering ICU and Emergency Medicine patients.

Clinical Pharmacists assume responsibility and accountability for the provision of safe, effective, and prompt medication therapy. Clinical Pharmacists proficiently provide direct patient-centered care and integrated pharmacy operational services with physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel to deliver optimal medication therapy to patients with a broad range of disease states. These clinicians are aligned with target interdisciplinary programs and specialty services to deliver medication therapy management and to ensure pharmaceutical care programs are appropriately integrated throughout the institution. Pharmaceutical care services include, but are not limited to, assessing patient needs, incorporating age and disease specific characteristics into drug therapy and patient education, adjusting care according to patient response, and providing clinical interventions to detect, mitigate, and prevent medication adverse events. Clinical Pharmacists serve as departmental resources and liaisons to other departments, hospital personnel, or external groups. They proficiently manage the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards. They also conduct practice-related research and patient care, quality, and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice. Finally, Clinical Pharmacists provide medication and practice-related education/training and actively serve as preceptors for pharmacy residents and Doctor of Pharmacy students (MGH Pharmacy Residency website: https://www.massgeneral.org/education/pharmacy-residency.)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As it pertains to the service area in the pharmacy department, responsible for the optimization of drug therapy by identification, resolution, and prevention of drug related problems and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Responsible for providing direct or indirect patient care according to the laws and regulations governing pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy by the appropriate state and federal agencies. When assigned to particular pharmacy service teams, may be responsible for prescribing medications under specific collaborative drug therapy management agreements (CDTM).

Works independently, and within the limits of established pharmacy/ambulatory care practice site's policies and procedures, as a member of the patient care team. Directs and coordinates the activities of a pharmacy service area. Supervises all support personnel during an assigned shift, operating within the limits of pharmacy policy and procedures, and the regulations of the Board of Registration Pharmacy. Takes lead as a subject matter expert in their areas of practice at the site and system level.

The following are essential job functions for Clinical Pharmacists:

Percent of Time Spent

Lead assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs:

Facilitate pharmaceutical care, direct patient care programs, medication utilization systems within assigned care areas to assure drug utilization activities are aligned with patient care needs, evidence-based best practices, hospital guidelines, and regulatory standardsDesign and implement new pharmacy programs, quality improvement changes, and continuous quality assurance initiatives to advance the organization's medication-use systems and promote optimal patient outcomesDesign and implement stewardship activities and restriction/surveillance programsTrack and evaluate assigned pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency and routinely benchmark against local and national best practicesDevelop strategies to optimize medication utilization, including but not limited to clinical guidelines, disease-specific pathways, formulary management, and medication-use policiesProvide departmental and institutional leadership for committees/meetings, hospital group/task forces, and approved external programs/organizationsAssure pharmacy is an integral part of the health-care delivery system and facilitates enhancement and expansion of pharmacy services/programs5

Deliver direct patient-care and clinical practice, including decentralized and service-based programs:

Maintain proficiency in decentralized pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programsPlace practice priority on the delivery of patient-centered careWork as an active member of multidisciplinary team and collaborate with healthcare personnel within care areasEstablish collaborative pharmacist-patient relationshipsMaintain patient information and interpret patients' health care needs including patient problem lists and prioritized pharmacist interventionsCollect and document accurate patient medication histories and reconcile discrepanciesIdentify high-risk patients and implement interventions to improve care quality and safetyMake appropriate evidence-based, patient-centered medication recommendationsImplement, evaluate, and redesign pharmaceutical care plans based on patient progress and evolving goals for medication usage, including drug dosing and monitoringProvide written documentation in the patient's medical record when requestedObtain and maintain ACLS and BLS certificationParticipate in the management of medical emergenciesProvide discharge medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate to help with the transition of careProvide evidence-based medication education to physicians, nurses, and other professionalsEducate patients and care givers regarding safe and effective use of medications, possible medication side effects, and the role of prescribed medications in the overall treatment planMaintain proficiency in hospital computer systems and medication ordering systemsInterpret, evaluate, and accurately process medication ordersComplete critical patient monitoring and review patient chart to identify, prevent, or mitigate drug-related problems, improper drug or dose selection, subtherapeutic dosage, over dosage, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, untreated indications, medication use without an indication, and treatment failuresFollow established standard work parameters and maintains standard work environments60

Participates in pharmacy operations and medication dispensing:

Maintain proficiency in and actively engage in operational programs, central dispensing pharmacies, satellite dispensing pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy areas as appropriate for job assignmentFacilitate medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing procedures including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, controlled substances, etc.Utilize pharmacy automation and supportive technology proficientlyOversee pharmacy operations and technician practice/activities when assignedPromote the use of the formulary by converting non-formulary medications to formulary alternatives when possible, evaluate appropriateness of non-formulary medication requests, and support procurement of non-formulary drugs when necessary10

Facilitate experiential education and preceptorship:

Maintain proficiency in the four preceptor roles and actively emulate education/mentorshipServe as a preceptor/educator for MGH pharmacy residency (PGY1 and PGY2) and student experiential programs, including maintaining training and experience in pharmacy practice areas appropriate for teaching assignmentsDevelop student, resident, and staff training experiences/competencies and create new relationships for teaching and training opportunitiesIdentify, design, and mentor learners in implementing improvements in the medication-use system to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costsDemonstrate personal leadership qualities, role model, and business acumen to advance the profession and practice of pharmacy20

Performs other duties as assigned:

Maintain a sustained record of contribution to the total body of knowledge in pharmacy practice through presentations, publications, and professional affiliation activitiesParticipate as a formal reviewer for a peer-reviewed medical or pharmacy journalsMaintain up-to-date knowledge of contemporary hospital practice and clinical service, trends and innovations in pharmacy leadership, and updates in traditional therapeutics, professional practice standards, or health care regulatory requirementsMaintain a specialized evidence-based knowledge of drug and drug therapy by reviewing relevant professional journals and suggested readings5

Relationships:

Clinical Pharmacists report directly to a Pharmacy Manager or Area Director and work collaboratively with administrative, pharmacist, and technical to support department initiativesClinical Pharmacists have frequent interactions with physicians, nurses, other members of the health care team, students, residents, and external professional groupsClinical Pharmacists supervise all support staff (e.g., pharmacy technicians) as assignedQualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

Must be eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in the Commonwealth of MassachusettsPostgraduate residency/fellowship training is preferredBoard Certification by examination, or equivalent certification, in the relevant specialty is preferred, required within 18 months of hiringMust meet all Board of Pharmacy requirements to enter into a collaborative drug therapy management agreement, when applicableMassachusetts Controlled Substance Registration license, National Provider Index number, and a Drug Enforcement Administration Registration number, when applicablePREFERRED:

Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY1 and PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency or Fellowship preferredSKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

Extensive knowledge and ability in all areas of the department including: IV Admixtures, Drug Information, Ambulatory, Manufacturing, and Drug DistributionAs it pertains to the service area in the pharmacy department, demonstrate appropriate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span of the neonate, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient. Possess ability to assess patient data relative to age specific needs. Provide care as described in the department's policies/proceduresAdditional General Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and serviceKnowledge and understanding of general hospital operations and regulatory complianceStrong written and verbal communication skillsAbility to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnelAbility to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activitiesSignificant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient-centered careSignificant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, specialty medication therapy management, and specialty evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignmentsStrong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential trainingWORKING CONDITIONS:

Able to lift up to 20 lbsAble to stand for extended periods of timeAble to sit for extended periods of time

EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law.