Infusion Pharmacy Practice Specialist

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibilities:

This pharmacist role provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care, primarily supporting patients at the Mission Cancer + Blood – UI Health Care infusion centers and clinics. It will serve as the Pharmacist-In-Charge and provide functional supervision of technician and support staff and provide clinical support, medication order review and verification, education, and monitoring for patients receiving therapy at the infusion center. It will also provide remote clinical and operational pharmacy services for other offsite locations. This pharmacist position is located in the Des Moines, Iowa area location(s) and may include weekend and holiday hours on a rotating basis.

$10,000 Sign-On Bonus Included!

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Patient Care-Participating in the Provision of Pharmaceutical Care: The pharmacist provides care to patients by:

• Reviewing medication orders, monitoring therapy, and evaluating chemotherapy protocols to ensure appropriateness.
• Providing patient education on chemotherapy regimens, supportive care medications and appropriate medication use.
• Preparing, checking and dispensing medications, including sterile compounds and hazardous drugs.
• Utilizing IV workflow technology to inspect and verify compounded sterile products.
• Working with a multidisciplinary team to address patient needs and prevent adverse drug events.
• Documenting all patient care activities and interventions in the electronic medical record.
• Adherence to all regulatory requirements, including applicable state and federal regulations, and accreditation standards, ensuring compliance at all times. This includes appropriate upkeep of continuing education, university compliances, and department competencies.

2. Facilitates Operational Initiatives Which Lead to Enhanced Patient Care Services: The clinical pharmacist must assume the role of patient advocate for all issues associated with drug therapy. Participation in hospital-wide programs intended to improve care (e.g., the Medication Use Evaluation Program and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program) serves as a valuable quality-of-service surveillance tool and promotes healthcare provider education. This may include:

• Addressing medication system issues and ensuring medication safety, which may require remote review, data analysis and collaboration with healthcare teams.
• Participating in hospital-wide quality programs and audits.
• Supporting medication-related problem-solving and prescriber education through in-person and/or virtual consultations.
• Contributing to the development of protocols related to appropriate prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring of medications administered in the infusion suite or therapy that is prescribed to the patient for home use.
• Supporting sterile compounding operations by providing functional supervision of staff that work in and access the compounding area(s)

3. Provides Educational Services:
An important responsibility of the clinical pharmacist is the education of students, fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate use. This may include:

• Serving as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.
• Educating staff, healthcare teams, and patients about medication use.
• Presenting educational sessions and mentoring other pharmacists.

4. Participates in Research:
The clinical pharmacist participates in research activities as appropriate, including providing support for Investigational Drug Service prescriptions and orders. Precepting pharmacy resident research and the presentation and/or publication of research findings are encouraged.

5. Other:

• Complete all required competencies and educational requirements regardless of work setting.
• Performs other duties as assigned, applicable to work setting and desired workflow.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Education Requirements:

• Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree or a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy

Performance Requirements:

• Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency OR 2 years’ experience in a complex multi-disciplinary healthcare environment.
• Current licensure in good standing by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is required upon hire.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others.
• Job related experience with and/or commitment to service excellence.
• Job related experience with and/or commitment to diversity in the work environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Oncology experience is desirable.
• Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY2 Oncology residency is highly desirable.
• Board certification in oncology is highly desirable.
• Job-related experience with sterile compounding, USP 797, and USP 800 is desirable.
• Immunization certification is desirable.
• Experience providing customer service in a professional manner.

Organizational Structure:
Job Title this position reports: Pharmacy Manager

Working Conditions:

Physical surroundings: Medical office

Adverse working environment: Work may be stressful due to continual interaction with others, long hours required and nature of the medical specialty.

Physical Effort: Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this role including walking, bending, standing, reaching, and sitting. Lifting up to 15 pounds of office or technology equipment.

Local Travel: Within the state of Iowa

Domestic/International Travel: None

Extensive Hours: Varies due to need