DescriptionClinical Pharmacist Specialist - MICUHoward University Hospital | Washington, DC
Role Summary
As a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - MICU at Howard University Hospital, you will manage and advance the clinical pharmacy services that support safe, effective, and appropriate drug therapy for critically ill patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Through direct patient care, clinical services administration, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic monitoring, and staff education, you will serve as the pharmacy department's critical care expert - partnering with pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes.
If you are an experienced clinical pharmacist with specialized critical care training and a passion for direct patient care, teaching, mentorship, and evidence-based practice, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact at one of the nation's most storied academic medical centers and a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center.
What You'll Do
- Manage and advance the clinical services of the pharmacy department to support a high level of patient care and the appropriate utilization of drug therapy for critically ill patients
- Serve as a clinical specialist resource on critical care pharmacotherapy for pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team
- Provide direct patient care activities including comprehensive medication management, pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic monitoring, medication regimen assessment, adverse drug event (ADE) surveillance, and patient and staff education related to critical care
- Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding medication selection, dosing, monitoring, interactions, and therapeutic outcomes
- Evaluate medication therapy for critically ill patients and identify opportunities to optimize treatment based on patient-specific factors, disease state, organ function, laboratory values, and clinical response
- Provide specialized pharmacotherapy support for conditions commonly encountered in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, including sepsis, respiratory failure, hemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, and other critical illnesses
- Support appropriate antimicrobial therapy, sedation and analgesia, anticoagulation, vasopressor therapy, and other critical care medication management needs
- Document clinical interventions and patient care activities accurately and consistently
- Promote appropriate formulary use and coordinate the procurement of non-formulary drugs when clinically necessary
- Develop advanced clinical services, including pharmacy-managed protocols and medication use management programs - clinical guidelines, critical pathways, disease management, and drug use programs
- Partner with Pharmacy leadership on quality assurance initiatives, clinical pathway development, medication safety, and departmental readiness for regulatory audits
- Coordinate and participate in drug utilization initiatives and develop department-wide programs ensuring medication use is monitored relative to patient age, weight, sex, organ function, and disease state
- Prepare and present information for committees such as Adverse Drug Reactions, Medication Use Indicators, Medication Errors, and other Pharmacy or hospital committees
- Serve as a mentor and preceptor to staff pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other healthcare learners through example, training, and education
- Serve as an educational resource - developing and presenting programs that promote safe, effective, and cost-efficient critical care medication therapy for pharmacy and hospital staff
- Review pharmacy and organizational policies and procedures related to medication use and critical care services
- Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics, HIPAA, and applicable regulatory requirements; maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff
- Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role
Required Qualifications
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited School of Pharmacy
- Completion of a PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency, or equivalent experience
- Registration as a pharmacist in the District of Columbia, or eligibility for registration through reciprocity
Preferred Qualifications
- Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) certification in Critical Care Pharmacy
What We Offer
- Work-life balance
- Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
- Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
- Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children - up to two (2) courses per semester
Position Details
DepartmentPharmacy Inpatient ServicesReports ToDirector, Pharmacy ServicesFLSA StatusExemptScheduleFull-Time | Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (40 hours/week)
Pay & Schedule
This is a full-time, exempt position. Pay range:
$157,000 - $185,500 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.
