Clinical Pharmacist

Provides care for patients in Hospitals, and collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professional experts in the therapeutic use of medications. Routinely provides medication therapy evaluations and recommendations to patients and other health care professionals. Clinical pharmacists are a primary source of scientifically valid information and advice regarding the safe, appropriate, and cost-effective use of medications. Advising physicians on matters of drug usage and control within assigned hospital locations; participating in the development and delivery of continuing education programs for Pharmacy, Patient Care Services, Medical Staff and students and monitoring antibiotic usage. Participates in drug selection and maximizing therapeutic outcomes for patients. Choose alternatives in coordination with physicians.

Responsibilities

Quality and Accuracy:

• Complies with all regulatory, safety and quality control programs and procedures applicable to the service area; including but not limited to regulatory licensing, accreditation standards, organizational policies, and procedures.
• Advises physicians concerning the safety, appropriateness, cost-effectiveness and use of medications, and assists in the selection of the most cost-effective, evidence-based regimen case-related.
• Acts as drug information and education resource for patients, students, colleagues, medical and nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals
• Reports all incidents and complaints at the service level immediately for appropriate action to be taken, as per hospital policy.
• Participates effectively in quality improvement and medication safety and medication utilization initiatives related to clinical service area.
• Participates as required in investigational drug research programs and clinical initiatives.

Quantity/Organizational Skills:

• Identifies and analyzes reported Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and assists in the prevention, management, and development of process improvement.
• Participates in patient care rounds with other members of the healthcare team daily or as assigned.
• Prepares Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) Reports to monitor the trend and sends the report to the pharmacy director and Concerns to the committee and department.
• Assists physicians in creating and managing the drug regimens of patients with chronic diseases. This may include, but not be limited to, activities such as meeting with patients, adjusting medication dosages, monitoring, and performing other services within the professional area of expertise. Ensure rational use of drugs and reduction of costs.
• Locates or modifies the patient’s medication treatment plan based on scientific analysis of the patient's condition and reports on the diagnosis of his condition.
• Prepares an interdisciplinary care plan for patients which includes dosage adjustment, drug interactions, side effects etc.
• Evaluates and provide recommendations on the medication treatment plan for the patient and optimal use of the prescribed therapy for both healthcare professionals in the health team responsible for the patient and the patient himself.
• Describes any amendments to the patient's medication treatment plan; including replacing one medical product with another, unless a written or electronic instruction has been issued by the treating physician to prevent any modification.
• Notifies the attending physician of the application of the treatment plan or its amendment in writing by registering the data in the patient’s record prepared within (24) hours after starting the application of the plan
• Commits to guide patients and provide them with specialized information about their medical condition, the use of medical products, and the medication treatment plan.
• Provides consultation and advice to health professionals concerning their patients’ medication management plans.
• Identifies prescriptions that might present risks to patients and aid in resolving the relevant issues before dispensing.
• Recognizes and discerns prescribing or administration errors, assesses potential risk and strategies to manage this risk reviews and monitors medication errors, and provides clinical validation, reporting to the pharmacy director.
• Reviews relevant laboratory and test related to the selection and determination of the medication treatment plan and consult the primary physician to ensure that the patient is on the proper medication treatment plan, with documentation in the patient’s medical records.
• Educates patients on the importance of medication adherence.
• Monitors the patient’s pharmacotherapeutic regimen for effectiveness and Adverse Drug reactions and intervenes as needed.
• Verifies and monitors medication orders for drug interactions, duplication and omission therapy, allergies, and adverse reactions, and recommends appropriate formulary alternatives as needed.
• Evaluates orders for parenteral nutrition and recommend modifications as indicated, in cooperation with the specialist and the clinical dietician.
• Documents therapeutic recommendations in the patient’s medical record and pharmacy intervention forms on time.
• Participates in standardizing clinical practice within the hospital.
• Evaluates the medications of all assigned patients daily to prospectively evaluate all drug therapy for appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions and drug allergies.
• Covers weekend on-call if required.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) or Master’s Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited University required
• Current license or registration to practice clinical pharmacy
• Successful completion of a recognized Residency program or post-graduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum three (3) years of experience post-certification as a Clinical Pharmacist in hospital settings
• Knowledge of actions, side effects, appropriate use of commonly employed drugs, antibiotic utilization, evaluation, drug therapeutic monitoring, adverse drug reaction monitoring, patient chart review and selection of alternatives
• Knowledge of current technology and pharmacy systems for distribution of medications
• Extensive knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics