Clinical Pharmacist, Transplant Transitions Of Care MGH

Site: The General Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Compensation rate is based on candidate experience aligned to this role level in range between $127,000 and $160,000

Job Summary

This position will support the continued growth of the transplant programs at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). This Transplant Transitions of Care position will help advance the mission of the program while:

Serving as a liaison between the MGH Transplant Teams and outpatient pharmacies for discharge planning and medication acquisition

Providing direct patient care within the MGH Transplant Pharmacy Team for transplant discharge education and medication reconciliation

Clinical Pharmacists assume responsibility and accountability for the provision of safe, effective, and prompt medication therapy. Clinical Pharmacists proficiently provide direct patient-centered care and integrated pharmacy operational services in a decentralized practice setting with physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel to deliver optimal medication therapy to patients with a broad range of disease states. These clinicians are aligned with target interdisciplinary programs and specialty services to deliver medication therapy management within specialty patient care services and to ensure pharmaceutical care programs are appropriately integrated throughout the institution. Pharmaceutical care services include but are not limited to assessing patient needs, incorporating age and disease specific characteristics into drug therapy and patient education, adjusting care according to patient response, and providing clinical interventions to detect, mitigate, and prevent medication adverse events. Clinical Pharmacists serve as a departmental resources and liaisons to other departments, hospital personnel, or external groups. They proficiently manage and facilitate the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards. They also conduct clinical research and practice advancement projects as well as patient care quality and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice. Finally, Clinical Pharmacists provide medication and practice-related education/training and actively serve as preceptors for pharmacy residents and Doctor of Pharmacy students (MGH Pharmacy Residency website: https://www.massgeneral.org/education/pharmacy-residency.)

Qualifications

Essential Job Functions

Percent of Time Spent

Leads assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs- 10%

• Facilitates infectious diseases pharmaceutical care services, direct patient care programs, medication utilization systems within assigned services and care areas to assure drug utilization activities are aligned with patient care needs, evidence-based best practices, and regulatory standards
• Designs and implements new pharmacy programs, quality improvement changes, and continuous quality assurance initiatives to advance the organization's medication-use systems and promote optimal patient outcomes
• Designs and implements antimicrobial stewardship activities and restriction/surveillance programs in collaboration with the MGH Infectious Diseases Division and Microbiology Laboratory
• Tracks and evaluates assigned pharmacy programs for operational, quality, and financial efficiency and routinely benchmarks against local and national best practices
• Develops strategies to optimize medication utilization, including but not limited to clinical guidelines, disease-specific pathways, formulary management, and medication-use policies
• Actively identifies and reports short- and long-term obstacles to patient care and medication safety, regulatory compliance, or stewardship or resources
• Develops and oversees policies and procedures for drug purchasing, drug usage, drug distribution, and drug control
• Provides departmental and institutional leadership for medical staff committees/meetings, hospital group/task forces, and approved external programs/organizations
• Assures pharmacy is an integral part of the health-care delivery system and facilitates enhancement and expansion of pharmacy services/programs

Delivers direct patient-care and clinical practice, including decentralized and service-based programs- 25%

• Maintains proficiency in decentralized infectious diseases pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programs
• Places practice priority on the delivery of patient-centered care
• Works as an active member of multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with healthcare providers within decentralized patient care areas
• Establishes collaborative pharmacist-patient relationships
• Proficiently maintains patient information and efficiently interprets patients' health care needs including patient problem lists and prioritized pharmacist interventions
• Collects and documents accurate patient medication histories and reconcile discrepancies versus orders
• Identifies high-risk patients and implements interventions to improve quality and safety
• Makes appropriate evidence-based, patient-centered medication recommendations
• Implements, evaluates, and redesigns pharmaceutical care plans based on patient progress and evolving goals for medication usage, including drug dosing and monitoring
• Provides written documentation in the patient's medical record when requested or directed
• Participates in the management of medical emergencies. Obtains and maintains ACLS certification
• Provides discharge medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate to help with the transition of care
• Provides evidence-based medication education to physicians, nurses, and other professionals
• Educates patients regarding safe and effective use of medications, possible medication side effects, and the role of prescribed medications in the overall therapeutic care plan

Provides pharmaceutical services throughout the hospital- 25%

• Actively participates in antimicrobial stewardship activities and restricted medication programs
• Maintains proficiency in hospital computer systems and medication ordering systems
• Provides accurate, safe, timely, and appropriate medication therapy based on patient age and needs
• Assures timely medication dispensing and accurate medication availability on patient care areas
• Interprets, evaluates, and accurately processes medication orders
• Identifies, mitigates, prevents, and documents problems with medication orders or therapeutic regimens, including medication errors or adverse drug reactions
• Completes critical patient monitoring and reviews patient profile/chart to identify, prevent, or mitigate drug-related problems, improper drug or dose selection, subtherapeutic dosage, over dosage, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, failure to receive drugs, untreated indications, medication use without an indication, and treatment failures
• Communicates effectively and appropriately with health care providers and caregivers (physicians, nurses, etc.) and assures continuity of pharmaceutical care between shifts and among staff
• Provides timely, comprehensive, and appropriate drug information to patients and health care providers
• Promote the use of the formulary by converting non-formulary medications to formulary agents when possible, evaluate appropriateness of non-formulary medication requests, and support procurement of non-formulary drugs when necessary
• Follows established standard work parameters and maintains standard work environments
• Documents pharmacist interventions

Participates in pharmacy operations and medication dispensing- 10%

• Maintains proficiency in and actively engages in operational programs, central dispensing pharmacies, satellite dispensing pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy areas as appropriate for job assignment
• Facilitates specialty medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing procedures including but not limited to chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, controlled substances, etc., as appropriate for assignment
• Effectively and efficiently utilizes pharmacy automation and supportive technology
• Oversees pharmacy operations and technician practice/activities

Facilitates experiential education and practice advancement- 25%

• Maintains proficiency in the four preceptor roles and actively emulates education/mentorship skills
• Serves as a preceptor/educator for MGH pharmacy residency (PGY1 and PGY2) and student experiential education programs, including maintaining training and experience in pharmacy practice areas appropriate for teaching assignments
• Develops student, resident, and staff training experiences/competencies and creates new relationships for teaching and training opportunities
• Identifies, designs, and implements improvements in the medication-use system to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs
• Represents the department at hospital meetings, committees, and events as requested
• Identify, design, implement, and assess the impact of a practice related project using effective project management skills

Performs other duties as assigned- 5%

• Maintain a sustained record of contribution to the total body of knowledge in infectious diseases pharmacy practice through presentations, publications, and professional affiliation activities
• Present poster or platform presentations at state or national forums at least every 24 months
• Submit material worthy for publishing in a peer-reviewed journal at least every 24 months
• Participate as a formal reviewer for a peer-reviewed medical or pharmacy journal

In addition to the responsibilities as stated above, must also:

Promote excellent customer service by assisting patients, co-workers, medical staff, and other health care providers resolve expressed concerns, demonstrating a welcoming and helpful attitude, and responding in a positive, professional, and courteous manner. Identify customer (patient and health care provider) requirements, both actual and anticipated, and maintain active personal contact and rapport with potential and actual customers. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of contemporary hospital practice and clinical service; trends and innovations in pharmacy leadership; and updates in traditional therapeutics, professional practice standards, or health care regulatory requirements. Maintain a specialized evidence-based knowledge of drug and drug therapy by reviewing relevant professional journals and suggested readings. Participate actively in Department of Pharmacy meetings (attendance and presentation expectations per policy). Demonstrate personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate effectively within the institution and advance the profession and practice of pharmacy.

Relationships:

1. Clinical Pharmacists report directly to a manager or director within the Department of Pharmacy and work collaboratively with administrative staff, pharmacist staff, and technical staff to support department initiatives.

2. Clinical Pharmacists have frequent interactions with physicians, nurses, other members of the health care team, students, residents, and external professional groups.

3. Clinical Pharmacists supervise all support staff (e.g., pharmacy technicians) as needed during the normal course of the workday.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1. Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and service

2. Knowledge and understanding of general hospital operations and regulatory compliance.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

4. Ability to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnel.

5. Ability to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activities.

6. Significant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient centered care.

7. Significant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, specialty medication therapy management, and specialty evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignments.

8. Strong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential training.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

1. Current licensure as a pharmacist in the state of Massachusetts (or eligible) required

2. Board Certification in area of expertise is required within 18 months of hire (if not already certified)

EDUCATION:

1. Graduate of an ACPE accredited College of Pharmacy required

2. Doctor of Pharmacy or other advanced degree highly preferred

EXPERIENCE:

1. Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and PGY2 Pharmacy Residency in Transplant preferred

2. Experience (2-4 years) in a hospital setting required if no PGY2/fellowship training.

3. Exceptional aptitude or knowledge may be considered in lieu of experience. Extensive clinical experience and development may be considered in lieu of formal training.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

55 Fruit Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range

$96,886.40 - $140,899.20/Annual

Grade

7

At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.

EEO Statement:

1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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