Advanced Clinical Pharmacist
Apply NowCompany: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
Location: Cherokee, NC 28719
Description:
Job Title: Advanced Clinical Pharmacist
Job Code: PHARADV
Department: Pharmacy
Division: Operations
Salary Level: Exempt 8
Reports to: Pharmacy Director
Last Revised: January 2022
Primary Function
The incumbent in this position serves as an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist for the Cherokee
Indian Hospital Authority. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of
comprehensive and age appropriate, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency department
pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical patient care. The incumbent is considered as
a source of pharmaceutical clinical information for all direct-patient health care and for the
professional staff.
Job Description
Clinical Functions
Conducts medical staff authorized pharmacy clinics for examination, diagnosis,
and treatment of specialized patients. Takes the appropriate health history,
follows and adjusts the developed treatment plan and monitors the patient's
outcome to the prescribed treatment plan.
Takes the appropriate history and performs limited physical assessment related
to the specialized pharmacy clinics.
Documents all clinical activities, updates problem lists, and updates medication
allergy information on the medical record.
May order and interpret laboratory tests as approved.
Provides inpatient services for complex patients. Accepts referrals for drug
therapy consults, pharmacokinetic and treatment plan development, and
manages drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-food interactions.
Medications will be monitored, titrated, and/or altered per Pharmacy Clinic and
Anticoagulant Service policies, procedures, and protocols.
Provide pharmaceutical services with focus on therapeutic drug monitoring.
Analyze medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most
economical treatment plan.
2
Interview patients to ascertain significant past medical history and medication
history. Evaluate medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions,
therapeutic duplications, non-compliance and adverse drug events.
Serves as therapeutic consultant to the medical staff.
Serves as consultant to secretary for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
and manages drug utilization functions.
Counseling patients on the use, storage, cautions and side effects of all
medications dispensed as well as documentation of cognitive services provided.
General and Outpatient Functions
Prepares, compounds, and/or dispenses pharmaceutical prescriptions to patients
in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings. This process includes
(but is not limited to) checking for correct drug dosages, for drug-drug and
drug-food interactions, for correct dosage forms, and correct labeling and
preparation of outpatient prescriptions, inpatient dosage forms, IV admixtures,
and other pharmaceutical supplies.
Provides assessment and treatment to patients with minor health problems.
Provides maintenance care to patients with chronic disease.
Manages therapy for selected patients in whom drugs are the primary method
of treatment.
Reviews pharmaceutical orders to assure appropriateness of drug therapy.
Counsels patients and families on drug use, therapeutic effects, potential
adverse effects, precautions, appropriate storage of pharmaceuticals, and
expected outcomes of drug therapy. Verifies the level of patient understanding
concerning prescribed medications.
Assures the availability, preparation, and control of medication within the
facility and for patients.
Transmits appropriate medical and pharmaceutical information to providers,
nursing, and the patient cliental.
Provides drug therapy consultation, intervention, drug information, staff
educations, and in-services to all members of the health care team.
Provides health promotion and disease prevention activities related to drug use
and preventative therapy.
Monitors and maintains general and emergency drug supplies in all areas of the
facility assuring adequate quantities, appropriate access and control,
appropriate storage, and current dating and integrity of pharmaceutical items.
Maintains formal records and compliance with requirements of Law,
organizational and/or agency rules and decisions, and internal pharmacy
operation policies and procedures.
Interacts with and maintains proper operation of automated pharmacy systems
and technology.
Others duties as assigned, as appropriate, and as authorized.
3
Inpatient Functions
Provides pharmaceutical services to inpatients on an assigned basis. Duties
include, but are not limited to, unit dose and IV additive functions, attendance
at routine medical rounds with providers, daily chart review, MAR review and
intervention, clinical pharmacokinetics services, drug evaluation services,
delivery of 7-day services, 24-hour recall, patient drug counseling services, and
participation in discharge counseling.
Participates in the operation of the unit dose drug distribution system including
preparation of unit doses, dispensing of same, and maintenance of required
record keeping.
Participates in the maintenance and proper operation of automated
pharmaceutical dispensing systems. Maintains appropriate stock levels,
monitors system operation, reviews system reports, and resolves system
problems.
Participates in the operation of the I.V. Admixture program. Participates in
preparation, labeling, and checking of I.V. Admixture products, special purpose
intravenous products, and other parenteral solutions as required.
Administrative Services
Education
Provides formal and informal education and in-services to medical, pharmacy, and
nursing staff as required.
Supervises and provides training for pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and
medical students.
Provides education to patients, their families, and community groups about
medications, common disease states, and information on health promotion.
Research
Develops and coordinates independent clinical research activities and projects
which may upgrade the quality of patient care.
Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication.
Develops presentation materials to assist fellow staff with presentations involving
new programs, projects, and research.
Performance Improvement
Collaborates with other health professionals to develop treatment protocols,
standards of practice and policies, new clinical services, and programs.
Develops plans for performance improvement and evaluation of effectiveness of
actions on improving performance.
Provides for drug use evaluation, drug audits, and additional pharmacy functions
as required.
General Functions
Serves on various committees of the organization as appointed, approved, and
volunteered.
4
Provides technical assistance in the procurement and maintenance of supplies,
stock materials, drugs, and equipment to assure efficient pharmacy function.
Participates on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Discharge Planning, Infection
Control, Safety, Medical Records, and other committees as required and/or
assigned.
Functions as pharmacist-in-charge during evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends
when so scheduled.
Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when
serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community.
Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.
Education/Experience
Incumbent must be a graduate of a college of pharmacy accredited by the American
Council of Pharmaceutical Education.
The incumbent must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor
of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree.
Meet one of the three requirements:
Specialty Board (BPS) Certification (BCPS/BCACP) or completed an ASHP
accredited residency program and have two total years of clinical experience.
(residency year counts as one year of experience)
Pharm.D. with three years documented clinical experience and completion of a
certificate program adherent with 21 NCAC 46.3101(2) b.
BS Pharmacy degree with 5 years of documented clinical experience and
completion of two certificate programs adherent with 21 NCAC 46.3101(2) b.
Incumbent must have an active unrestricted pharmacist license, and must be eligible
for unrestricted pharmacist licensure in North Carolina. Pharmacist licensure in a
state different than North Carolina is acceptable, however, if a Tribal Direct
Employee the incumbent should be eligible to obtain a North Carolina pharmacist
license within the next 12 months following employment with CIHA. Federal
Employees including commissioned officers may hold and maintain an unrestricted
pharmacist license from any State, and aren't required to maintain licensure with
the NC Board of Pharmacy.
Job Knowledge
Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of
clinical and basic pharmacy. Ability to apply such knowledge to the provision of
quality direct clinical-pharmaceutical patient services.
Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and characteristics of
substances, therapeutic actions of drugs, and the principles of chemical, biological,
pharmacological, and biopharmaceutical science.
Knowledge of current diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic approaches related
to the various chronic disease states associated with specialized pharmacy clinics.
Documented credentials and privileges by the Medical Staff are required, prior to
conducting pharmacy-based clinic services.
CPR certification with ACLS is preferred.
5
Skill in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of drug therapy in a clinical setting.
Ability to manage pharmaceutical patients with exceedingly complex medical
pharmacy histories, including patients on multiple drugs, managing severe side
effects, and adverse drug reactions.
Ability to communicate with patients regarding disease states, desired outcomes,
laboratory tests, proper administration, use, actions, precautions, and storage of
medications.
Ability to communicate with fellow health professionals regarding patient care and
pharmaceutical information and intervention.
Requires Age Specific Competency
Position requires maintenance of active and valid driver's license.
Complexity of Duties
The work often requires many different and unrelated processes. Decisions regarding what
needs to be done includes the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach
and incomplete or conflicting data. The work requires originating, establishing, and
monitoring protocol criteria and developing new clinical-pharmaceutical techniques and
methods not previously utilized. The work includes managing comprehensive, clinical pharmaceutical patient treatment plans of which many, are made extremely complex by:
implementing state of the art techniques, new methodologies, and application of state of
the art pharmacy knowledge, skills, and abilities. The work requires independent judgment
wherein error could result in serious injury or death to a patient. Prior to dispensing of
medications, reviews the patient's medical record for therapeutic appropriateness including
diagnosis/treatment, patient allergy screening, and screening of drug interaction potential.
Suggests alternative therapies when appropriate.
Supervision Received
The position is under the direction of the Director of Pharmacy, or other Pharmacy
Supervisor as assigned by the Director of Pharmacy
The Incumbent operates relatively independently in the performance of usual,
customary, and clinical pharmaceutical services. The incumbent will have the
authority to make final decisions about technical aspects related to the provision of
pharmaceutical services.
Unusual and/or non-routine situations are to be referred to the Director of Pharmacy
Services or designated Supervisor.
The incumbent aids in the maintenance of the overall integrity of the program.
Additional policy and procedure guidance is received through the higher grade
supervisor, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual,
Service Unit policies and procedures, Indian Health Service policies, and Joint
Commission guidelines and directives.
Responsibility for Accuracy
6
Errors in this position would be difficult to detect and can have adverse effects on the health
of individuals, groups, and families. Errors can place the pharmacy at risk for substantial
legal and financial liability. Undetected and unresolved errors can result in a range from
minimal to life threatening patient consequence.
Contact with Others
The position requires frequent and substantial contact with others, which include health
care professionals, support and clerical staff, patients, community members, vendors,
business representatives, and representatives of outside organizations of all types. Contacts
are numerous and, at times, can be under difficult circumstances or in difficult settings.
Professionalism and tact are imperative for this position. Failure to act professionally can
reflect poorly on the facility and department and contribute to unforeseen adverse effects
on the organization. Utmost sensitivity is required when interacting with patients and their
families.
Confidential Data
Much of the information processed in this position is considered highly confidential and of
Job Code: PHARADV
Department: Pharmacy
Division: Operations
Salary Level: Exempt 8
Reports to: Pharmacy Director
Last Revised: January 2022
Primary Function
The incumbent in this position serves as an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist for the Cherokee
Indian Hospital Authority. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of
comprehensive and age appropriate, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency department
pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical patient care. The incumbent is considered as
a source of pharmaceutical clinical information for all direct-patient health care and for the
professional staff.
Job Description
Clinical Functions
Conducts medical staff authorized pharmacy clinics for examination, diagnosis,
and treatment of specialized patients. Takes the appropriate health history,
follows and adjusts the developed treatment plan and monitors the patient's
outcome to the prescribed treatment plan.
Takes the appropriate history and performs limited physical assessment related
to the specialized pharmacy clinics.
Documents all clinical activities, updates problem lists, and updates medication
allergy information on the medical record.
May order and interpret laboratory tests as approved.
Provides inpatient services for complex patients. Accepts referrals for drug
therapy consults, pharmacokinetic and treatment plan development, and
manages drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-food interactions.
Medications will be monitored, titrated, and/or altered per Pharmacy Clinic and
Anticoagulant Service policies, procedures, and protocols.
Provide pharmaceutical services with focus on therapeutic drug monitoring.
Analyze medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most
economical treatment plan.
2
Interview patients to ascertain significant past medical history and medication
history. Evaluate medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions,
therapeutic duplications, non-compliance and adverse drug events.
Serves as therapeutic consultant to the medical staff.
Serves as consultant to secretary for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
and manages drug utilization functions.
Counseling patients on the use, storage, cautions and side effects of all
medications dispensed as well as documentation of cognitive services provided.
General and Outpatient Functions
Prepares, compounds, and/or dispenses pharmaceutical prescriptions to patients
in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings. This process includes
(but is not limited to) checking for correct drug dosages, for drug-drug and
drug-food interactions, for correct dosage forms, and correct labeling and
preparation of outpatient prescriptions, inpatient dosage forms, IV admixtures,
and other pharmaceutical supplies.
Provides assessment and treatment to patients with minor health problems.
Provides maintenance care to patients with chronic disease.
Manages therapy for selected patients in whom drugs are the primary method
of treatment.
Reviews pharmaceutical orders to assure appropriateness of drug therapy.
Counsels patients and families on drug use, therapeutic effects, potential
adverse effects, precautions, appropriate storage of pharmaceuticals, and
expected outcomes of drug therapy. Verifies the level of patient understanding
concerning prescribed medications.
Assures the availability, preparation, and control of medication within the
facility and for patients.
Transmits appropriate medical and pharmaceutical information to providers,
nursing, and the patient cliental.
Provides drug therapy consultation, intervention, drug information, staff
educations, and in-services to all members of the health care team.
Provides health promotion and disease prevention activities related to drug use
and preventative therapy.
Monitors and maintains general and emergency drug supplies in all areas of the
facility assuring adequate quantities, appropriate access and control,
appropriate storage, and current dating and integrity of pharmaceutical items.
Maintains formal records and compliance with requirements of Law,
organizational and/or agency rules and decisions, and internal pharmacy
operation policies and procedures.
Interacts with and maintains proper operation of automated pharmacy systems
and technology.
Others duties as assigned, as appropriate, and as authorized.
3
Inpatient Functions
Provides pharmaceutical services to inpatients on an assigned basis. Duties
include, but are not limited to, unit dose and IV additive functions, attendance
at routine medical rounds with providers, daily chart review, MAR review and
intervention, clinical pharmacokinetics services, drug evaluation services,
delivery of 7-day services, 24-hour recall, patient drug counseling services, and
participation in discharge counseling.
Participates in the operation of the unit dose drug distribution system including
preparation of unit doses, dispensing of same, and maintenance of required
record keeping.
Participates in the maintenance and proper operation of automated
pharmaceutical dispensing systems. Maintains appropriate stock levels,
monitors system operation, reviews system reports, and resolves system
problems.
Participates in the operation of the I.V. Admixture program. Participates in
preparation, labeling, and checking of I.V. Admixture products, special purpose
intravenous products, and other parenteral solutions as required.
Administrative Services
Education
Provides formal and informal education and in-services to medical, pharmacy, and
nursing staff as required.
Supervises and provides training for pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and
medical students.
Provides education to patients, their families, and community groups about
medications, common disease states, and information on health promotion.
Research
Develops and coordinates independent clinical research activities and projects
which may upgrade the quality of patient care.
Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication.
Develops presentation materials to assist fellow staff with presentations involving
new programs, projects, and research.
Performance Improvement
Collaborates with other health professionals to develop treatment protocols,
standards of practice and policies, new clinical services, and programs.
Develops plans for performance improvement and evaluation of effectiveness of
actions on improving performance.
Provides for drug use evaluation, drug audits, and additional pharmacy functions
as required.
General Functions
Serves on various committees of the organization as appointed, approved, and
volunteered.
4
Provides technical assistance in the procurement and maintenance of supplies,
stock materials, drugs, and equipment to assure efficient pharmacy function.
Participates on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Discharge Planning, Infection
Control, Safety, Medical Records, and other committees as required and/or
assigned.
Functions as pharmacist-in-charge during evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends
when so scheduled.
Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when
serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community.
Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.
Education/Experience
Incumbent must be a graduate of a college of pharmacy accredited by the American
Council of Pharmaceutical Education.
The incumbent must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor
of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree.
Meet one of the three requirements:
Specialty Board (BPS) Certification (BCPS/BCACP) or completed an ASHP
accredited residency program and have two total years of clinical experience.
(residency year counts as one year of experience)
Pharm.D. with three years documented clinical experience and completion of a
certificate program adherent with 21 NCAC 46.3101(2) b.
BS Pharmacy degree with 5 years of documented clinical experience and
completion of two certificate programs adherent with 21 NCAC 46.3101(2) b.
Incumbent must have an active unrestricted pharmacist license, and must be eligible
for unrestricted pharmacist licensure in North Carolina. Pharmacist licensure in a
state different than North Carolina is acceptable, however, if a Tribal Direct
Employee the incumbent should be eligible to obtain a North Carolina pharmacist
license within the next 12 months following employment with CIHA. Federal
Employees including commissioned officers may hold and maintain an unrestricted
pharmacist license from any State, and aren't required to maintain licensure with
the NC Board of Pharmacy.
Job Knowledge
Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of
clinical and basic pharmacy. Ability to apply such knowledge to the provision of
quality direct clinical-pharmaceutical patient services.
Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and characteristics of
substances, therapeutic actions of drugs, and the principles of chemical, biological,
pharmacological, and biopharmaceutical science.
Knowledge of current diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic approaches related
to the various chronic disease states associated with specialized pharmacy clinics.
Documented credentials and privileges by the Medical Staff are required, prior to
conducting pharmacy-based clinic services.
CPR certification with ACLS is preferred.
5
Skill in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of drug therapy in a clinical setting.
Ability to manage pharmaceutical patients with exceedingly complex medical
pharmacy histories, including patients on multiple drugs, managing severe side
effects, and adverse drug reactions.
Ability to communicate with patients regarding disease states, desired outcomes,
laboratory tests, proper administration, use, actions, precautions, and storage of
medications.
Ability to communicate with fellow health professionals regarding patient care and
pharmaceutical information and intervention.
Requires Age Specific Competency
Position requires maintenance of active and valid driver's license.
Complexity of Duties
The work often requires many different and unrelated processes. Decisions regarding what
needs to be done includes the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach
and incomplete or conflicting data. The work requires originating, establishing, and
monitoring protocol criteria and developing new clinical-pharmaceutical techniques and
methods not previously utilized. The work includes managing comprehensive, clinical pharmaceutical patient treatment plans of which many, are made extremely complex by:
implementing state of the art techniques, new methodologies, and application of state of
the art pharmacy knowledge, skills, and abilities. The work requires independent judgment
wherein error could result in serious injury or death to a patient. Prior to dispensing of
medications, reviews the patient's medical record for therapeutic appropriateness including
diagnosis/treatment, patient allergy screening, and screening of drug interaction potential.
Suggests alternative therapies when appropriate.
Supervision Received
The position is under the direction of the Director of Pharmacy, or other Pharmacy
Supervisor as assigned by the Director of Pharmacy
The Incumbent operates relatively independently in the performance of usual,
customary, and clinical pharmaceutical services. The incumbent will have the
authority to make final decisions about technical aspects related to the provision of
pharmaceutical services.
Unusual and/or non-routine situations are to be referred to the Director of Pharmacy
Services or designated Supervisor.
The incumbent aids in the maintenance of the overall integrity of the program.
Additional policy and procedure guidance is received through the higher grade
supervisor, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual,
Service Unit policies and procedures, Indian Health Service policies, and Joint
Commission guidelines and directives.
Responsibility for Accuracy
6
Errors in this position would be difficult to detect and can have adverse effects on the health
of individuals, groups, and families. Errors can place the pharmacy at risk for substantial
legal and financial liability. Undetected and unresolved errors can result in a range from
minimal to life threatening patient consequence.
Contact with Others
The position requires frequent and substantial contact with others, which include health
care professionals, support and clerical staff, patients, community members, vendors,
business representatives, and representatives of outside organizations of all types. Contacts
are numerous and, at times, can be under difficult circumstances or in difficult settings.
Professionalism and tact are imperative for this position. Failure to act professionally can
reflect poorly on the facility and department and contribute to unforeseen adverse effects
on the organization. Utmost sensitivity is required when interacting with patients and their
families.
Confidential Data
Much of the information processed in this position is considered highly confidential and of