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 standards
Design 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 outcomes
Design and implement stewardship activities and restriction/surveillance programs
Track and evaluate assigned pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency and routinely benchmark against local and national best practices
Develop strategies to optimize medication utilization, including but not limited to clinical guidelines, disease-specific pathways, formulary management, and medication-use policies
Provide departmental and institutional leadership for committees/meetings, hospital group/task forces, and approved external programs/organizations
Assure pharmacy is an integral part of the health-care delivery system and facilitates enhancement and expansion of pharmacy services/programs
5
Deliver direct patient-care and clinical practice, including decentralized and service-based programs:
Maintain proficiency in decentralized pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programs
Place practice priority on the delivery of patient-centered care
Work as an active member of multidisciplinary team and collaborate with healthcare personnel within care areas
Maintain patient information and interpret patients' health care needs including patient problem lists and prioritized pharmacist interventions
Collect and document accurate patient medication histories and reconcile discrepancies
Identify high-risk patients and implement interventions to improve care quality and safety
Make appropriate evidence-based, patient-centered medication recommendations
Implement, evaluate, and redesign pharmaceutical care plans based on patient progress and evolving goals for medication usage, including drug dosing and monitoring
Provide written documentation in the patient's medical record when requested
Obtain and maintain ACLS and BLS certification
Participate in the management of medical emergencies
Provide discharge medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate to help with the transition of care
Provide evidence-based medication education to physicians, nurses, and other professionals
Educate 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 plan
Maintain proficiency in hospital computer systems and medication ordering systems
Interpret, evaluate, and accurately process medication orders
Complete 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 failures
Follow established standard work parameters and maintains standard work environments
60
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 assignment
Facilitate medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing procedures including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, controlled substances, etc.
Utilize pharmacy automation and supportive technology proficiently
Oversee pharmacy operations and technician practice/activities when assigned
Promote 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 necessary
10
Facilitate experiential education and preceptorship:
Maintain proficiency in the four preceptor roles and actively emulate education/mentorship
Serve 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 assignments
Develop student, resident, and staff training experiences/competencies and create new relationships for teaching and training opportunities
Identify, design, and mentor learners in implementing improvements in the medication-use system to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs
Demonstrate personal leadership qualities, role model, and business acumen to advance the profession and practice of pharmacy
20
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 activities
Participate as a formal reviewer for a peer-reviewed medical or pharmacy journals
Maintain 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 requirements
Maintain a specialized evidence-based knowledge of drug and drug therapy by reviewing relevant professional journals and suggested readings
5
Relationships:
Clinical Pharmacists report directly to a Pharmacy Manager or Area Director and work collaboratively with administrative, pharmacist, and technical to support department initiatives
Clinical Pharmacists have frequent interactions with physicians, nurses, other members of the health care team, students, residents, and external professional groups
Clinical Pharmacists supervise all support staff (e.g., pharmacy technicians) as assigned
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED:
Must be eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Postgraduate residency/fellowship training is preferred
Board Certification by examination, or equivalent certification, in the relevant specialty is preferred, required within 18 months of hiring
Must meet all Board of Pharmacy requirements to enter into a collaborative drug therapy management agreement, when applicable
Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration license, National Provider Index number, and a Drug Enforcement Administration Registration number, when applicable
PREFERRED:
Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY1 with critical care experience or a PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency preferred
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Extensive knowledge and ability in all areas of the department including: IV Admixtures, Drug Information, Ambulatory, Manufacturing, and Drug Distribution
As 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/procedures
Additional General Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and service
Knowledge and understanding of general hospital operations and regulatory compliance
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnel
Ability to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activities
Significant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient-centered care
Significant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, specialty medication therapy management, and specialty evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignments
Strong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential training
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Able to lift up to 20 lbs
Able to stand for extended periods of time
Able 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.
