CLINICAL PHARMACIST

The Acute Care Hospital Clinical Pharmacist at Riverside Healthcare is responsible for providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care to patients within the hospital. This role involves ensuring the safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications across various acute care settings. The pharmacist will collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to optimize patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and will play a key role in medication management, patient education, and healthcare provider consultation. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure. As a salaried professional, you may be expected to work above your FTE.

Essential Duties

• Medication Management: Review and interpret medication orders for accuracy, appropriateness, and potential drug interactions. Adjust and optimize dosages based on individual patient needs, including renal/hepatic function, age, and comorbidities. Clinical Pharmacist to provide comprehensive support on both the clinical floor and central pharmacy; ensuring seamless medication management and patient care.
• Clinical Consultation: Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualized patient care plans, offering expert advice on the selection, dosing, and monitoring of medications.
• Patient Care: Participate in patient rounds, assess medication therapies, and provide recommendations to the healthcare team as needed. Conduct patient education sessions regarding medication use, side effects, and adherence as needed. 
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Manage and monitor patients on complex therapies, including anticoagulation, antimicrobial stewardship, and parenteral nutrition. Adjust treatment plans based on laboratory results and clinical assessments.
• Order Verification: Ensure timely and accurate verification of medication orders in the hospitals electronic health record system. Monitor for potential medication errors and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Quality Improvement: Contribute to hospital-wide initiatives aimed at improving medication safety, reducing adverse drug events, and enhancing overall patient care.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations related to medication management. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in accordance with hospital policies.

Non-essential Duties

• Inventory Management: Assist with the oversight of medication inventory, including ordering, storage, and disposal of pharmaceuticals.
• Education & Training: Provide education and training to pharmacy students, residents, and staff. Participate in continuing education programs and professional development opportunities.
• Committee Participation: Serve on hospital committees as needed, including the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Medication Safety Committee, and others related to pharmaceutical care.
• Research: Support and participate in clinical research initiatives.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in an acute care hospital setting preferred. Completion of a PGY-1 pharmacy residency in acute care specialty is highly desirable.

Required Licensure/Education

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school of pharmacy
• Current and active pharmacist license in the state of Illinois, in good standing.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications required or completed during first week of hire.  

Preferred Education

• Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) or a related specialty is preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Various chemotherapy agents
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: None
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Contact with outpatients filling prescriptions.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for communication with physicians and nursing staff.
• Vision: Needed to read measured amounts of drugs, assist in proper medication identification.
• Smell: N/A
• Hearing: Able ton consult with physicians and nursing staff.
• Touch: Needed for writing, computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 59%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 10%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 1%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 0%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 0%
• Reach above shoulders: 20

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Occasional handling of cases of IV solutions. Entails carrying boxes of 20-30#, distances of up to 50'. Sometimes lifting up to 4' is required.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 15
• Twist: 0
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 20
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 0
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 0
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp 
• Normal weight:< 5# All Day
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: None
• Fine Manipulation: Computer keyboard, counting/pouring, measuring

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Occasional operation of foot pedal to operate syringe pump for compounding IV solutions. Very little pressure required.  

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: None
• Special Hazards: Preparing chemotherapy agents
• Protective Clothing Required: Special gloves, gown or sleeve protection, mask and possible goggles