Department: Infusion Pharmacy

Location: Trinity Health Ann Arbor

About the Department

Infusion pharmacy is a specialized area within a healthcare facility where medications are prepared, dispensed, and administered through infusion (e.g., intravenous, subcutaneous, Intrathecal, etc.). The pharmacy focuses on providing complex, often high-risk treatments for patients requiring intravenous medications, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, iron or immunotherapy drugs.

Position Purpose

A Clinical Pharmacist Pharmacists in this setting ensure the safe and accurate preparation of infusions, monitor for potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, and collaborate with healthcare teams to optimize patient care. This service is essential for managing patients with serious conditions that cannot be treated with oral medications alone.

Status available: Full-time

Education:

• Required Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy.  Doctor of Pharmacy degree or equivalent clinical degree in pharmacy practice is preferred. 

Experience:

• Previous related hospital experience or hospital residency strongly preferred.

Licensure / Certification:

• Registered pharmacist possessing or eligible for a Michigan Pharmacist and Controlled Substance license is required. Maintenance of minimum hours of State Board of Pharmacy continuing education credits every two years as required by the State of Michigan.
• Per specific hospital policy, Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and / or Advanced Life Support (ACLS) certification as required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate drug therapy information to all health team members, patients, and administrators / managers.  Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.

• Broad knowledge of medications compounding and dispensing. Thorough knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutics.

• Demonstrated punctual professional demeanor that is willing to work variable hours on a rotating schedule.

• Excellent customer service orientation skills necessary in order to deal effectively with various levels of hospital personnel, outside customers and community groups.

• Communication skills necessary for clear written and oral communication.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of pharmacokinetics.

What you will do:

Interprets and evaluates medication orders to ensure appropriateness of therapy; including, but not limited to dosage form, dose, and route of administration, schedule, starting time and duration.

Monitors patient medication regimens for possible allergies, drug-drug interactions, nutrient-drug interactions, contraindications, therapeutic duplication and potential adverse drug reactions.

Individualizes medication therapy based on patient variables including, but not limited to, renal function, age, weight, laboratory values and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Manages drug therapy and utilization across the continuum of care through communication with physicians, nurses, other healthcare providers and patients to intervene on orders that are unclear, incomplete, inappropriate, or could cause poor drug outcomes and recommends alternative therapy. 

Participates in pharmaceutical care activities such as patient rounds, therapeutic drug monitoring, patient teaching and counseling, admission drug histories, antimicrobial stewardship, pain management and drug information education to healthcare professionals in response to questions or requests for in-service education.

Documents clinical interventions, participates in quality assurance monitors, drug utilization reviews, pharmacoeconomic analysis, and monitors medication therapy outcomes as assigned.

Consults with and advises physicians and other health care professionals in the development of safe, rational and cost-effective patient medication care plans.

Recommends patient specific drug therapy, evaluates therapy regimens and makes recommendations to medical staff to optimize effective drug therapy.

Educates physicians, employees and other allied disciplines about the goals and rationale of the institution's quality of care and cost containment programs related to medication usage and to pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical care.

Directs, monitors and verifies the compounding of injectable medications including epidural infusions, irrigation, small and large volume parenterals, hyper alimentation and cytotoxic agents performed by pharmacy technicians as necessary based on hospital practices.

Compounds and dispenses medications and injectable medications recognizing that compounding and/or dispensing errors may result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Competency must be demonstrated before compounding or checking compounded products.  Adheres to USP 797 / USP 800 Guidelines.

Total Rewards and Benefits:

• Competitive compensation, DAILYPAY
• Benefits effective Day One! No waiting periods.
• Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Life Insurance, Short and Long-term Disability
• Retirement savings plan with employer match and contributions
• Opportunity for growth and advancement throughout SJMHS and Trinity Health
• Tuition Reimbursement