Employment

Primary Function

The incumbent in this position serves as Advanced Clinical Pharmacist Supervisor (ACPS) for the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. The ACPS provides for and assures the delivery of high quality, professional, and effective clinical pharmacist provider services to the Cherokee Service Unit and eligible patient community. The incumbent is responsible for all supervisory and management matters related to the operation of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Pharmacy Program or the Inpatient Pharmacy Program. The incumbent spends a significant amount of his/her time on supervision, administrative, and program development responsibilities. The incumbent may also perform clinical duties including the provision of comprehensive and age appropriate, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency department pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical patient care.  The incumbent is considered as a source of pharmaceutical clinical information for all direct-patient health care and for the professional staff.

Job Description

Supervisory/Management Functions

• The ACPS oversees and directs the operations of the PCMH and/or Inpatient Pharmacy Program at Cherokee Hospital Pharmacy.
• The ACPS is responsible for assuring the quality of pharmacist provider services at CIHA through formulation of clinic pharmacist policy and procedures,  development of clinical protocols, administration and oversights of requirements of the NC Certified Pharmacist Provider (CPP) program, systematic performance improvement process, coordination and administration of peer review processes, and review of services according to IHS Standards of Practice, JCAHO Review Standards, and other regulatory and reviewing agencies, and State and Federal Laws and Regulations, and where applicable USP guideline compliance.
• The ACPS is responsible for planning, developing, directing, and maintaining services that are responsive to the needs of the patients, medical staff, health care employees, support staff, and other involved parties. Such planning is also directed toward adoption of systems and/or equipment that improve the effective and efficient operation of the PCMH Pharmacy Program, and surveillance of the medication use processes in the outpatient clinical realm.
• The ACPS is responsible for functioning as a member of the health care team in a manner consistent with the accomplishment of clinic and his/her objectives.
• The ACPS supports and supervises the clinical competency of pharmacist provider staff to carry out plans and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the PCMH Pharmacy Program and/or Inpatient Pharmacy Program.
• The ACPS maintains full personnel supervisory authority for the PCMH Pharmacy Program and/or Inpatient Pharmacy program, which includes leave granting, responsibility for disciplinary actions, recommendations for suspensions, removals and promotions, settling disputes between employee and departments, recommendations for training, work planning and assignments, performance appraisals, disciplinary actions, and related personnel matters.
• The ACPS is a spokesperson and representative for the pharmacy department and thereby interfaces with other health professionals, administrators, and agencies regarding concerns or topics that affect the PCMH Pharmacy Program and/or Inpatient Pharmacy Program.

Clinical Functions

• Conducts medical staff authorized pharmacy clinics for treatment of specified patients.  Takes the appropriate health history, follows and adjusts the developed treatment plan and monitors the patient’s outcome to the prescribed treatment plan.
• Takes an appropriate history related to the specialized pharmacy clinics. 
• Documents all clinical activities, updates problem lists, and updates medication allergy information on the medical record.
• May order and interpret laboratory tests as approved.
• Accepts referrals for drug therapy consults, pharmacokinetic and treatment plan development, and manages drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-food interactions.
• Medications will be monitored, initiated, titrated, and/or altered per CPP collaborative practice agreements or local policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Provide pharmaceutical services with focus on therapeutic drug monitoring.  Analyze medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most cost effective treatment plan.
• Interview patients to ascertain significant past medical history and medication history. Evaluate medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, non-compliance and adverse drug events.
• Serves as therapeutic consultant to the medical staff.
• Serves as consultant to secretary for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and manages drug utilization functions.
• Counseling patients on the use, storage, cautions and side effects of all medications dispensed as well as documentation of cognitive services provided.
• Serves as a member of the Medical Staff.

   

   

   

   

   

  Inpatient Functions

• Provides pharmaceutical services to inpatients on an assigned basis. Duties include, but are not limited to, unit dose and IV additive functions, attendance at routine medical rounds with providers, daily chart review, MAR review and intervention, clinical pharmacokinetics services, drug evaluation services, delivery of 7-day services, 24-hour recall, patient drug counseling services, and participation in discharge counseling.
• Participates in the operation of the unit dose drug distribution system including preparation of unit doses, dispensing of same, and maintenance of required record keeping.
• Participates in the maintenance and proper operation of automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems. Maintains appropriate stock levels, monitors system operation, reviews system reports, and resolves system problems.
• Participates in the operation of the I.V. Admixture program. Participates in preparation, labeling, and checking of I.V. Admixture products, special purpose intravenous products, and other parenteral solutions as required.

   

  Outpatient Functions

• Prepares, compounds, and/or dispenses pharmaceutical prescriptions to patients in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings.  This process includes (but is not limited to) checking for correct drug dosages, for drug-drug and drug-food interactions, for correct dosage forms, and correct labeling and preparation of outpatient prescriptions, inpatient dosage forms, IV admixtures, and other pharmaceutical supplies.
• Provides assessment and treatment to patients with minor health problems.  Provides maintenance care to patients with chronic disease.
• Manages therapy for selected patients in whom drugs are the primary method of treatment.
• Reviews pharmaceutical orders to assure appropriateness of drug therapy.
• Counsels patients and families on drug use, therapeutic effects, potential adverse effects, precautions, appropriate storage of pharmaceuticals, and expected outcomes of drug therapy.  Verifies the level of patient understanding concerning prescribed medications.
• Assures the availability, preparation, and control of medication within the facility and for patients.
• Transmits appropriate medical and pharmaceutical information to providers, nursing, and the patient cliental.
• Provides drug therapy consultation, intervention, drug information, staff educations, and in-services to all members of the health care team.
• Provides health promotion and disease prevention activities related to drug use and preventative therapy.
• Monitors and maintains general and emergency drug supplies in all areas of the facility assuring adequate quantities, appropriate access and control, appropriate storage, and current dating and integrity of pharmaceutical items.
• Maintains formal records and compliance with requirements of Law, organizational and/or agency rules and decisions, and internal pharmacy operation policies and procedures.
• Interacts with and maintains proper operation of automated pharmacy systems and technology.
• Others duties as assigned, as appropriate, and as authorized.

   

  Administrative Service

  Education

• Provides formal and informal education and in-services to medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff as required.
• Supervises and provides training for pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and medical students.
• Provides education to patients, their families, and community groups about medications, common disease states, and information on health promotion.

   

  Research

• Develops and coordinates independent clinical research activities and projects which may upgrade the quality of patient care.
• Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication.
• Develops presentation materials to assist fellow staff with presentations involving new programs, projects, and research.

   

  Performance Improvement

• Collaborates with other health professionals to develop treatment protocols, standards of practice and policies, new clinical services, and programs.
• Develops plans for performance improvement and evaluation of effectiveness of actions on improving performance.
• Provides for drug use evaluation, drug audits, and additional pharmacy functions as required.

   

  General Functions

• Serves on various committees of the organization as appointed, approved, and volunteered.
• Provides technical assistance in the procurement and maintenance of supplies, stock materials, drugs, and equipment to assure efficient pharmacy function.
• Participates on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Medical Staff, and other committees as assigned.
• Functions as pharmacist-in-charge during evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends when so scheduled.
• Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community.  Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.

   

   

  Education/Experience

• Incumbent must be a graduate of a college of pharmacy accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. 
• The incumbent must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree.
• Incumbent must have an active unrestricted pharmacist license, and must be eligible for unrestricted pharmacist licensure in North Carolina.  Pharmacist licensure in a state different than North Carolina is acceptable, however, if a Tribal Direct Employee the incumbent should be eligible to obtain a North Carolina pharmacist license within the next 12 months following employment with CIHA.  Federal Employees including commissioned officers may hold and maintain an unrestricted pharmacist license from any State, and aren’t required to maintain licensure with the NC Board of Pharmacy.
• Incumbent must be eligible to obtain a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner license within 12 months of employment with CIHA.
• Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

  Meet one of the three requirements:

• Specialty Board (BPS) Certification (BCPS/BCACP) or completed an ASHP accredited residency program and have two total years of clinical experience.  (APPE year counts as one year of experience)
• Pharm.D. with three years documented clinical experience and completion of a certificate program adherent with 21 NCAC 46.3101(2)b.