The emergency medicine clinical pharmacist is responsible for all pharmaceutical services in the Emergency Department, as well as emergencies and traumas across the organization. The Emergency Department, a unique clinical environment which is considered high risk for adverse drug events from a systems perspective (i.e., medications in the ED are usually ordered, dispensed, and administered at the point of care, higher prevalence of verbal orders, particularly in urgent and high-stress situations, medication orders are diverse, unpredictable, and time-sensitive, increased use of higher risk intravenous medications such as inotropes and sedatives, frequent interruptions/distractions, etc). As a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, the emergency medicine clinical pharmacist promotes an environment of safe, rational, effective, and efficient medication use while providing services to meet the needs of the patient and reduce costs. The emergency medicine clinical pharmacist provides oversight of the medication reconciliation program performed by the medication history technicians. Additionally, this position requires cross-training and staffing in the main pharmacy when necessary.

The schedule is variable. Work hours: 12-hour shifts, with a minimum of one shift per month (either 3:00 AM – 3:30 PM or 3:00 PM – 3:30 AM).

Minimum Work Experience

Completion of a four-year pharmacy program in an accredited college of pharmacy (Required).

Minimum Work Experience
1 year Successful completion of PGY-1 (pharmacy practice residency with pediatric experience) or equivalent experience (Required)
1 year Successful completion of PGY-2 in critical care or emergency medicine (General Pharmacotherapy PGY-2 acceptable) (Preferred)
3 years Pediatric Emergency Room Pharmacy experience (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Well-versed in medication management and pharmacology in the following area:
1) Airway management, rapid sequence intubation/post-rapid sequence intubation sedation
2) Ambulatory care
3) Cardiology
4) Critical care
5) Infectious diseases
6) Pediatrics
7) Procedural sedation
8) Psychiatry
9) Toxicology/drugs of abuse/overdose
10) Disaster management
T1355
Required Licenses and Certifications
Pharmacist Current Washington DC Pharmacist License Upon Hire (Required)

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) Upon Hire (Required)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 180 Days (Required)
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 180 Days (Required)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support 180 Days (Required)
Board of Pharmacy Specialties Certification 1 Year (Required)

Functional Accountabilities
Medication Processing

• Interpret medication orders, profile orders for appropriateness and oversee the packaging, labeling and distribution of medications.

• Provide pharmacy review of high-risk medication orders prior to administration.

• Assist in preparation of high risk, time sensitive therapies in the emergency department.

• Assess the effectiveness, safety, and affordability of patient medications.

Drug Intervention and Education

• Perform drug therapy monitoring and intervene as necessary on drug dosing, drug administration, drug interactions, side-effects and monitoring issues; complete therapeutic drug monitoring consults and adverse drug reaction reports as assigned.

• Provide accurate and timely drug information on medication use, dosage, side effects, and composition to physicians, nurses, and patients/families, including patient-specific medication use teaching for discharge medications when appropriate

• Participate in transitions of care and assist with issues involving patient access to medications.

• Interpret research medication orders, ensure accurate preparation of investigational drugs and maintain complete and accurate records.

• Participate in quality improvement activities such as floor inspections, medication use evaluations, medication management programs within the institution, including clinical guidelines, critical pathways, disease management, and drug use programs, and documentation of interventions. Have knowledge of best practices and how own area integrates with others; demonstrates awareness of the industry, including regulatory requirements, evolving customer demands, and the factors that differentiate the organization in the market.

• Support contributions to pharmacy and medical literature. Participate in research where applicable. Maintain knowledge in area of expertise.

• Participate in medical and trauma resuscitations when received within the emergency department and assist in code situations outside of the emergency department. The ED pharmacy team is responsible for ensuring continuous 24/7 code response by the Division of Pharmacy Services.

• Occasionally assist with responding to drug information questions for critical care and acute care patients during hours in which decentralized pharmacy services are not provided (i.e., holidays, evenings, and weekends).

• Participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing review of Cerner order entry and orderset build.

• Seeks opportunities to work independently on projects, teams, and committees.

• Attend hospital committee meetings as needed.

• Participate in continuing education programs, in-services, and workshops to maintain current knowledge and enhance professional growth.

• Focus on cost avoidance and cost savings due to medication use in the ED.

• Complete medication history documentation.

• Actively participates in clinical pharmacy program and services and acts as a consultant in areas of expertise.

• Assists with training of pharmacy staff on code response and emergency preparedness.

• Prepares and collects data for MUE's, drug monographs for Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, and special projects assigned by the ED Pharmacy Supervisor

• Perform other duties and special projects as required.

Supervision/Training

• Oversee the work of Pharmacy Technicians by directing and assisting as necessary to ensure rapid medication order turn-around time.

• Participate in providing didactic and experiential training in clinical pharmacy for Pharmacy Residents and Students

• Participate in the professional development and competency of clinical staff. Function as an educational resource for pharmacy staff.

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-Solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Distributive Role

• Cross-train in main pharmacy

• Fulfill assigned tasks for scheduled role each day and be present for entire shift

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

• Facilitate proper information transfer with regard to medication use for patients converted to inpatient registry from ED

Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance