POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE & CODE:	Pharmacy Specialist (86818)
DEPARTMENT:	Pharmaceutical Services
REPORTS TO:	Manager
FLSA STATUS:	Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical care at West Virginia University Hospitals through involvement in direct patient care, operational, education and administrative activities, and assumes a leadership role in the profession of pharmacy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy OR Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy.
2.	Must possess current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in West Virginia or be license eligible. Licensure must be completed within 90 days of hire. If licensure is not obtained within 90 days of start date, associate will be notified that they will be released from their employment.
3.	Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 60 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1.	Pharm.D from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy.
EXPERIENCE:
1.	Completion of a PGY-2 Residency in an applicable clinical field OR;
2.	Completion of a PGY-1 Residency AND Board Certified in an applicable clinical field OR;
3.	Completion of a PGY-1 Residency AND three years of relevant pharmacist experience OR;
4.	Three years of relevant pharmacist experience AND Board Certified in an applicable clinical field.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.
1.	Monitors drug therapy of patients by participating in medical rounds or routinely evaluating the patient’s medication regimen, medical problems, laboratory data, and special procedures.
2.	Provides leadership and care for patients in assigned areas of responsibility; guides providers and patients on the best practices and established guidelines for care and assures safe and effective use of drugs through clinical involvement.
3.	Assists nursing and other disciplines or departments in admission and discharge planning and patient education related to the appropriate use of medication.
4.	Provides drug information and educational programs to the medical and nursing staffs, other health care practitioners, and pharmacy staff.
5.	Maintains professional competence by attending and presenting at conferences, continuing educational programs, reading current professional literature and publishing clinical or practice-related experience or research.
6.	Participates in administrative, quality assurance, performance improvement, and clinical research activities within the department.
7.	Participates in medication use evaluations
8.	Reviews each order to verify and confirm accuracy and appropriateness.
9.	Evaluates compliance with established medication safety procedures.
10.	Offers suggestions to improve medication safety based on best practice (i.e. ISMP).
11.	Routinely documents medication errors, unsafe conditions, or near misses.
12.	Promotes an environment with a constant focus on medication safety.
13.	Dispenses medications from the provider’s order.
14.	Ensures that policies and procedures related to drug distribution are followed.
15.	Responsible for drug use control in assigned service areas.
16.	Identifies problems related to aspects of drug use control and offers constructive ideas for resolution.
17.	Assumes responsibility for and makes decisions related to the provision of pharmaceutical services in assigned service area.
18.	Detects, reports, and helps to minimize or manage adverse drug reactions and medication errors.
19.	Participates in the management of acute and chronic disease states, medical emergencies, and adverse drug reactions.
20.	Communicates relevant findings and recommendations and documents them in the clinical information system.
21.	Ensures that necessary records are appropriately maintained according to legal requirements and hospital policies and procedures.
22.	Supervises technicians in drug preparation and distribution duties.
23.	Provides objective information on the performance of co-workers (both within and outside of the pharmacy department) to facilitate performance management.
24.	Participates in the orientation and education of pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and/or new department employees.
25.	Participates in educational and scholarly activities related to drug therapy to enhance personal knowledge as well as that of other health professionals at West Virginia University Hospitals.
26.	Participates in planning and implementing changes in the pharmacy and improves productivity through participation in staff meetings and projects.
27.	Routinely completes and submits written assignments in a timely manner, continuing education documentation, and other items as assigned.
28.	Successfully completes annual clinical competency evaluations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1.	Walk and stand for long periods of time
2.	Must be able to lift 30 pounds and push 50 pounds
3.	Dexterity required to finger, handle, and reach

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1.	Time management skills
2.	Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
3.	Teamwork skills

Date Reviewed/Revised:  September 2019