Enhances the quality of patient care by influencing safe, appropriate and cost-effective pharmacotherapies through verifying medication orders, consulting with doctors and nurses on the appropriate dosing and selection of therapeutic alternatives for patients and assisting the physician by monitoring the metabolic and nutritional needs of the patient. The Clinical Pharmacist assists in the development of clinical pathways which involve monitoring protocol and compliance for medication orders, participating in quality improvement and drug utilization activities, providing documentation of services and serving as a mentor for pharmacy students. Responsibilities 1. Pharmaceutical Care 1. Reviews patient information to evaluate appropriateness of drug therapy and dosing regimens as well as absence of contraindications. 2. Selects drug products that are effective, cost beneficial, and promote patient compliance. Suggests non-drug therapy when appropriate. 3. Assist the medical staff in selecting therapy regimens, which are cost effective and meet individual patient needs. Suggests appropriate alternatives for non-formulary drugs. 4. Recommends drug discontinuation or dosage alteration when indicated. 5. Identifies potentially significant drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, and drug disease interactions and communicates clinically relevant interactions to prescribers. 6. Assures compliance and follow-up with adverse reaction reporting and medication occurrence reporting programs. 2. Liaison/Committee Participation 1. Works with medical staff in developing protocols and dosing guidelines. 2. Serves on one or more Medical Staff Committees or Subcommittees. Actively contributes to accomplishing the goals of the Committee or Subcommittee. 3. Education (Staff Development and Training) 1. Develops educational materials and provides educational programs for the pharmacy staff and other hospital personnel. Prepares educational materials for the house staff on new policies. 2. Works with individual staff members to apply clinical skills, including formulary management and drug therapy monitoring skills, and adverse drug reaction reporting. 3. Serves as clinical mentor for pharmacists in assigned med groups. 4. Serves as a preceptor for students from the affiliated colleges of pharmacy. 5. Assists in educating the nursing staff when necessary. 4. Quality Management 1. Participates in the Quality Management programs for the Department. Develops and implements quality assurance/improvement drug usage evaluations, and productivity monitors for integrated clinical services. Specific Activities: Determines drug therapy compliance with protocols, guidelines, or recommendations. Participates in drug utilization evaluations. 5. Professional Growth and Achievement 1. Active in professional organizations. Demonstrates commitment to broadening clinical knowledgebase on a continual basis. 2. Coordinates and participates in research projects which are in concert with the goals and objectives of the department. 6. Assists Management Staff 1. Reviews and updates on an annual basis, all policies and procedures assigned by the Clinical Pharmacy Manager. 2. Participates in performance evaluations for pharmacy clinical specialists and other pharmacy employees when requested. 3. Assists in the development and monitoring of clinical service integration. 4. Other job-related duties as assigned. 7. Working Relationships 1. Maintains an environment that assures all customers, all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. 2. Participates in making recommendations for improving working relationships in the work area. Qualifications - Experience - Must complete a clinical residency or fellowship or have at least 3 years direct clinical pharmacy experience or a specialty area Board Certification. - Education - Doctor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy - Licensure - Licensed as a Pharmacist in the State of Louisiana