Job Description

The Medication safety, Quality and Regulatory Pharmacist is responsible for medication safety, Pharmacy quality programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.  Identifying opportunities to improve the safety of medication-use systems and developing error-prevention strategies targeted to reduce safety risks in collaboration with the Regional DOP or designee. The incumbent will collaborate with health care providers and Nursing Leadership having medication-related responsibilities to monitor and measure medication-use systems and implement error-prevention strategies with consideration of the human developmental stages. The incumbent is responsible for external and inter-department coordination and integration of pharmacy related information systems technology and solution development with a specific focus on medication safety, quality and regulatory compliance. The Medication, Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance pharmacist will participate in the development implementation and maintenance of Pharmacy Services goals and objectives, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

This position description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of an incumbent.  It is not an exhaustive comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent.  An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Job Duties  

• Coordinates medication safety and regulatory performance improvement activities
• Leadership role in development, crafting, implementing and maintaining of policies, procedures, and guidelines pertaining to medication use & management.
• Serves as the project lead on pharmacy performance improvement initiatives and activities relating to Medication Management program, in collaboration with the Pharmacy System Data Analyst.
• Works collaboratively with pharmacy leadership, nursing, medical, risk, compliance, regulatory and information system to ensure a safe and accountable medication management program.
• Assures hospital compliance with Joint Commission, ASHP, ISMP, CMS and other regulatory standards specifically concerning pharmacy services and medication management.
• Serve as the authoritative resource on medication safety and may serve as Co-chair of Medication Safety Committee as assigned by the Regional Director of Pharmacy.
• Proactively investigate near misses, medication safety events or issues, including specific error reports. Utilizes data- driven performance-improvement methodologies and tools to develop recommendations for action.
• Participate in, or leads multidisciplinary teams focused on avoidance and triaging of medication errors, adverse drug events and reactions, near misses, policy review, safe medication use, new product review, and patient safety to identify risk points and prioritize system improvements to reduce the potential for medication errors and patient harm.
• Participate in the development, implementation and integration of patient-focused medication quality and safety initiatives in collaboration with other leaders and key constituents.
• Partners with the System Pharmacy Data Analyst to coordinate, implement, review and analyze established departmental and system-wide Medication Quality and Safety programs including medication-use, medication error, adverse drug reactions, and continuous quality improvement data.
• Identify needed improvement; develop and lead implementation of high-leverage error-reduction strategies.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal medication safety regulatory and legal requirements.
• Encourage system-wide medication error reporting. Foster a culture of safety through “lessons learned” education and communication across the entire the system. Support principles of high-reliability organizations (HRO) within medication-use processes and workflows.
• Provide medication safety education and presentations on safe medication use to diverse audiences (pharmacists and technicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, medical students and physicians).
• Work with the Pharmacy Clinical Manager, the Clinical team and the Procurement Specialist to manage medication safety issues caused by drug shortages, replacement drug products, High risk, High alert, and Look alike Sound-alike drugs.
• Maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the patient safety field. Collaborate with external medication safety organizations, including Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch program.
• Share locally identified and reported medication quality and safety issues with national organizations and manufacturers as appropriate.
• Provide guidance and coordination for medication related information systems and technologies.
• Provide operational, clinical, and safety recommendations related to installation, maintenance and enhancements of Pharmacy related systems and technologies.
• Ensure information system and technology processes support established clinical standards of care, meet or exceed patient care quality standards, comply with various regulatory agencies, and integrate with other departments.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of pharmacy information systems and technology to consistently meet or exceed customer’s needs, through effective continuous quality improvement practices.
• Maintains knowledge of cutting-edge developments, best practices, and evolving information technology systems and solutions by participation in ongoing independent study, education- related professional activities, and affiliations.

Professional Responsibilities

• Prioritizes work responsibilities and manages multiple demands.
• Demonstrates an awareness of self-responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.
• Maintains awareness of departmental communications via e-mail and all modes of dissemination of information.
• Maintains competency in work- and pharmacy-related technology and applications
• 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.
• Monitors and work to strengthen the health system’s adherence to best practices and guidelines related to our medication management program.
• Utilizes appropriate customer relations skills when interacting with patients, their families, visitors, hospital staff, 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 or assigned.
• Attends hospital and departmental meetings as required.
• May be required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Pharmacist as necessary.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of the daily operations of the Pharmacy Department

Company Description

At UM Capital Region Health, we’re about to changeUP everything with the opening of our new hospital in Spring 2021!

Located in Largo in the heart of Prince George’s County, our new state-of-the-art regional medical center (UM Capital Region Medical Center) will provide improved access to primary and ambulatory care services, and serve as a tertiary care center for critically ill patients. In addition, our new space will allow us to expand our offerings as a community partner to help improve the health status of Prince George’s County residents.

Qualifications

• Current Maryland license in good standing as a pharmacist
• Doctor of Pharmacy degree is preferred
• Completion of post-graduate pharmacy residency in hospital pharmacy practice is desirable.
• Additional training or certification (board certification in an area of practice) is also desirable.
• Minimum of 2 year of experience as a pharmacist in a hospital with clinical pharmacy responsibilities. Completion of post-graduate year 1 pharmacy residency program is equivalent to 3 years of work experience.

Additional Information

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

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