Pharmacist - NICU/MBU

Department Overview

The purpose of this position is to provide the services of a licensed pharmacist which includes the

responsibility for the safe and proper distribution and use of drugs in inpatients and outpatients who range in age from neonates, infants less than one year of age, children and adolescents ages 10-18, adults ages 19-65 and the elderly over age 65. This position is to function at higher decision making levels regarding drug therapy, proactively affecting drug use by making recommendations at the time prescribing decisions are being made or, in some cases, making independent decisions about drug therapy in cooperation with other health team members. This is a flexible model where traditionally centralized functions, such as order entry/verifications, will become part of decentralized practice as the technology associated with patient care evolves. Primary work locations include Mother-Baby Unit, Labor and Delivery Unit, and all Pediatric units. Primary patient population includes pregnant female patients and infants as well as all other pediatric patients.

Function/Duties of Position

• Identifies, resolves and documents complex therapeutic problems, demonstrating advanced knowledge and application of this knowledge to a specific patient population. 
• Responds accurately to requests for drug information from physicians, nurses, patients and patient's families; independently reviews and interprets the literature and applies this information to specific patient care situations. 
• Monitors therapeutic response and adverse effects of medications to guide drug therapy. Consults with provider when questions or problems are identified. Appropriately reports all adverse drug reactions, drug defects, and medication errors.
• Directs the work of students/residents and monitors and evaluates their performance. Influences standards of therapy by forming peer level relationships with attending medical staff members; is recognized as a drug authority in a specialized practice area by physicians, nurses and pharmacists. 
• Assists in the development of treatment guidelines to be used in patients with specific diagnosis. Documents activities in the patient medical record, pharmacy monitoring profile, drug use evaluation data collection or adverse drug reaction reporting program.
• Interprets and evaluates physician's orders and prescriptions for accuracy, completeness and appropriateness. 
• Participates in both intra and interdepartmental education programs; participates in the development of peers.

Required Qualifications

• A current Pharmacist’s license issued by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy.

   

• OHSU may require training or experience in a specialized area at time of recruitment.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Pharmaceutical care principles Age-related modification of drug therapy
• Disease-related modification of drug therapy
• Contemporary medication use systems
• Interpersonal, formal and informal communication, including presentations Project management concepts Systematic problem solving Computer skills including use of word processing, spreadsheet, and databases 

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Pharmacy or Pharm.D.
• Inpatient hospital pharmacy practice
• Practice Residency or Specialist Certification (BCPPS) or 5 years minimum appropriate experience
• PGY-2 Specialty Residency BLS/ACLS certification Vaccination certification 
• Mother-Baby, Labor and Delivery, and Pediatrics clinical pharmacist experience
• Experience establishing a new clinical service line Background and understanding of pregnancy impact on drug delivery for both the mother and fetus/newborn

Additional Details

The pharmacist will experience competing demands from nurses, physicians, pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals, as they attempt to influence clinical decision-making, clinical policies and practices and workflow. The pharmacist must deal with intense situations on a daily basis. In addition, within the healthcare setting there can be significant lack of control over the work pace, with frequent interruptions (work is often dictated by external factors) that may lead to mental fatigue or stress. Primary work location will be in the mother-Baby/Labor and Delivery units with coverage of the Pediatric OR. Secondary work location will be in Pediatrics, either general pediatrics or the PICU/NICU population.

Why apply to OHSU?