Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - Inpatient Hematology / Oncology

SUMMARY:

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Inpatient Solid Malignancies serves as the primary clinical pharmacist for the adult inpatient solid tumor oncology service at Rhode Island Hospital. Working within a paired specialist model alongside the Inpatient Malignant Hematology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, this position provides comprehensive oncology pharmacy coverage across the four primary inpatient hematology/oncology teams (two teaching and two non-teaching services) as well as the two inpatient consult services (Solid Oncology and Hematology).

The specialist participates in daily interdisciplinary rounds with the Solid Oncology teaching team and serves as the primary clinical pharmacist for the non-teaching Solid Oncology service on the 8th floor. This service manages patients admitted for planned inpatient chemotherapy administration as well as patients requiring monitoring and management of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) following bispecific antibody therapy outpatient.

The specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive pharmacotherapy management for patients with solid malignancies, including optimization of antineoplastic therapy, supportive care interventions (e.g., antiemetics, hematopoietic growth factors, tumor lysis syndrome prophylaxis, and bone-modifying agents), management of immune-related adverse events, and prevention and mitigation of chemotherapy-related toxicities. The specialist also serves as one of the designated Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) pharmacists supporting the autologous transplant program.

In addition to direct patient care, the specialist provides leadership in the development, revision, implementation, and maintenance of oncology-specific clinical guidelines, standard operating procedures, treatment plans (Beacon), and other medication-use processes that promote safe and evidence-based oncology practice. The specialist represents the pharmacy on the Oncology Pharmacy and Therapeutics (Oncology P&T) Committee, presenting formulary reviews, drug class evaluations, and medication-use recommendations to support institutional decision-making.

The specialist serves as a core preceptor for the ASHP-accredited PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency and PGY1 Pharmacy Residency programs, precepting inpatient solid tumor and hematologic oncology learning experiences. Additional educational responsibilities include facilitating longitudinal oncology topic discussions, mentoring pharmacy residents on oncology-related research and quality improvement projects, and precepting APPE students from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy.

Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) is expected within the organization's standard timeframe following hire. The specialist is also expected to maintain active professional engagement through participation in organizations like the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and other relevant national pharmacy and oncology organizations, contributing to ongoing professional development and advancement of oncology pharmacy practice.

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist reports to Director Pharmacy Services, and indirectly to a Senior Clinical Pharmacist Specialist. Coordinates pharmacy clinical programs including but not limited to pharmacoeconomics, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmaceutical care, and drug information services. Collaborates with multidisciplinary care givers to monitor, assess, recommend changes to and optimize medication use in areas of therapeutic specialization, with consideration of the aging processes and human developmental stages (neonate, child, adolescent, adult, geriatric). Serves as a subject matter expert and real-time go to resource in area of specialty. Participates in the development of therapeutic drug policy and implements corrective strategies necessary to contain drug costs in specified patient settings and/or within therapeutic classes. Monitors pharmacy clinical services through continuous quality improvement activities, with consideration to the age of the patient populations being served, to ensure that the customers' expectations are met or exceeded. Participates in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and budgets for Pharmacy Services and clinical practice setting.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Is responsible for knowing and acting in accordance with the principles of the Brown University Health Corporate Compliance Program and Code of Conduct.

• Coordinates and oversees new and established Pharmacy Clinical Services.

• Implements, interprets and provides consultation for policies, procedures, and standards of practice related to medication use.

• Reviews and analyzes Pharmacy Clinical Services recommending and implementing changes, allocation of resources, new technologies, etc. that will increase the efficiency and level of service of the pharmacy.

• Participates in the development, implementation and integration of patient-focused medication therapy management and pharmaceutical care services in collaboration with pharmacy leadership and key constituents within clinical practice setting.

• Monitors drugs and/or therapeutic classes targeted for review and implements corrective strategies to optimize drug use in compliance with clinical usage guidelines.Coaches professional staff on pharmaceutical care and pharmacoeconomic principles facilitating safe and cost-effective medication use practices.

• Serves as a subject matter expert and real-time go to resource in area of specialty.

• Participates in development of short and long-term goals of pharmacy services in consideration of Brown University Health 's mission of Delivering health with care, and its values of compassion. accountability, respect and excellence.

• Provides input to assist in the development of effective drug budgeting and allocation of resources through application of pharmacoeconomic principles and methods to achieve defined goals and objectives.Monitors drug utilization projections and recommends corrective strategies as appropriate.

• Ensures that pharmacy clinical services and programs support established standards of care, meet or exceed patient care quality standards, are in compliance with regulatory agencies, and consider age-specific needs of the patient populations served.

• Maintains computerized systems, software programs and specialized equipment and technologies utilized in drug information and evaluation processes.Coordinates medication use quality improvement programs and related database maintenance including, but not limited to, adverse drug reaction reporting, pharmacist clinical interventions and medication use evaluations.

• Participates in determining the qualifications and competence of department personnel and in the development of tools and standards to establish and improve staff competency levels in areas of therapeutic specialization.Participates in orientation of new employees, in-service training and continuing education programs.

• Effectively and communicates with staff, management, and customers to facilitate the timely flow of drug information.Provides accurate communication, both written and verbal as appropriate, regarding continuous quality improvement activities, including goals and objectives of the Pharmacy as they relate to Clinical Services.

• Participates in the education and training of pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and nurses, physician assistants, and medical students and residents.Provides didactic lectures and serves as preceptor as assigned.Provides appropriate oversight for pharmacy internship rotations and completes applicable competency and evaluation documentation.

• Presents formal lectures to pharmacists, other health professionals and the lay public as assigned.Supports department academic affiliations, including serving as clinical faculty and providing lectures for colleges of pharmacy and nursing, and physician assistant programs as assigned.

• Maintains current professional competence in area of specialty, including new medications, disease management standards, patient care practices, and innovative technology, by participation in ongoing independent study, and membership and participation in professional organizations. Attends and participates in continuing education activities, trains and retrains as needed.

• Participates in risk management activities, practice performance improvement initiatives and quality measures; identifies opportunities for improvement where systems modifications could result in operational advancements and efficiencies.Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and total quality management initiatives. Leads or participates in relevant committees, task forces, and performance improvement teams as assigned.

• Prepares papers for presentation at professional organization meetings, submits manuscripts for publication in professional journals, and authors articles for publication on the Pharmacy Web site.

• Conducts pharmacy practice research, clinical research and data-related research in alignment with Brown University Health, mission, goals, and priorities; authors research based original abstracts, scientific, and scholarly papers and submits for publication and/or presentation in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

• Participates in development of a strategic vision for the department and clinical practice setting.

• Plans and organizes priorities for effective patient care and clinical pharmacy services within the scope of existing departmental and organizational policies.

• Performs all the duties of a pharmacist in preparing and dispensing medication, providing drug information and other duties as required.

• Participates in emergency code blue response.

• Performs the duties of Supervisor-in-Charge on an assigned basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy. Advanced study in pharmacy or health care related field, preferably a master 's degree or comparable work experience.

• Must be a Registered Pharmacist in the State of Rhode Island.

• Maintains current unrestricted licensure as a licensed pharmacist in the State of Rhode Island.

• Maintains current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certifications to fulfill emergency code blue response responsibilities as assigned. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to neonate, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

EXPERIENCE:

• Successful completion of Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY-2) Residency from an accredited program in area of specialty, if applicable and national board certification in area of specialty, if available; otherwise national Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy preferred. Departmental certification in Medication Management (MTM). Clinical experience, knowledge, and development may be considered in lieu of formal training.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact appropriately with patients, families, colleagues and others.

• Effective organizational and presentation skills.

• Knowledge of area-specific technology, including, but not limited to, pharmacy information systems, automated dispensing technology, software, equipment, and automation. Experience with MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and web browsers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended periods of time spent standing and walking.

• Requires the visual and manual dexterity to operate a computer.

• Occasional travel between facilities or sites is required.

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Functions independently within a broad scope of departmental policies and practices.

• Refers specific complex problems to Senior Clinical Pharmacist when clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
None.

Pay Range:

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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