JOB SUMMARY:

The Pharmacy Clinical Practice Specialist (PCPS) for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) will work with providers, nurses, and pharmacy staff to provide appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions that maximize patient outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, formulary status, and pharmaco-economics.

The PCPS will serve as a resource for advanced drug information support for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and other staff. The PCPS with expertise in ambulatory care or psychiatry will provide drug therapy management through the establishment of a pharmacist-operated patient care telehealth clinic. The PCPS will collaborate with other clinical specialists on pharmacy training to promote learning and performance of pharmacists, technicians, residents, and students. The PCPS will serve as a clinical instructor and preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.

The PCPS will maintain effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, problem resolution, and close cooperation with other departments to accomplish the organization's mission and goals. The goal is to foster a patient-focused, team-based multidisciplinary model of care that promotes rationale drug prescribing and monitoring to ensure positive outcomes are achieved with medication use.

Problem solving, team building, communication, and administrative skills are essential. This position requires a high degree of visibility and interaction with medical leadership.

Eligible employees may participate in a hybrid work arrangement, with approximately 50% of work performed remotely. Hybrid work arrangements are subject to departmental needs.

Major Duties:

Approximately 50% of time is devoted to patient focused activities:

• Drug therapy management via telemedicine clinic
• Drug information
• Provider consultation and drug regimen reviews
• Non-formulary consultations
• Patient education

Approximately 50% of time is devoted to population-focused activities:

• Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee consulting/consultant
• Drug use policy development
• Formulary design
• Development of clinical practice guidelines
• Utilization review and monitoring of prescribing trends
• Education for pharmacy staff and health care staff
• Preceptor for residency and student rotations
• Participation in performance improvement programs

Provide pharmacoeconomic consultations

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and maintains a clinical practice with a patient care service, cooperating with medical and nursing personnel to optimize the pharmacotherapeutic aspects of patient care.
• Provides optimal selection of pharmacologic agents and design of a regimen to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize toxicity; ensures therapy is appropriate for patient's diagnosis, weight, and age.
• Provides daily follow-up on the clinical effects of the regimen with adjustments as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
• Provides other health professionals with drug and clinical information in response to specific questions or relating to new, evolving issues related to the care of patients.
• Provides other health professionals with professional education regarding new drugs or technologies for specialized drug delivery.
• Provides education and counseling about the drug therapy provided to patients.
• Participates in clinical guideline development, critical pathways, disease management, and drug use programs.
• Provides clinical education and training to students, satellite pharmacists, residents, and fellows in the Department of Pharmacy.
• Participates in quality assurance programs in the Department of Pharmacy.
• Supports and performs operational components in the pharmacy.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure established for department.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus.
• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team.
• Takes ownership in solving problems effectively and efficiently and participates in resolution in a proactive and positive manner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates through verbal and non-verbal communications openness to change or new ideas.
• Willingly learns and adapts to changes in work environment and new work methods as introduced.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time, demonstrates flexibility to fluctuating workload, and effectively prioritizes assignments.
• Actively enhances personal growth and development by participating in educational programs and professional organizations and meetings.

EQUIPMENT:

Standard pharmaceutical equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard pharmacy environment.
• May work weekends and shift rotations based on location.
• May be required to work overtime and extended shifts during emergencies.
• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, ionizing & non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients or others.

Security clearance is required; pre-employment drug testing is also required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Texas or eligible to practice pharmacy in the state of Texas. Must be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Texas at the time of hire.
• Completion of an ASHP accredited post-graduate year 1 residency program.
• Obtain Immunization Certification within six (6) months of hire.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Board certification through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.
• Completion of an ASHP accredited post-graduate year 1 residency program.
• Completion of an ASHP accredited post-graduate year 2 residency program for specialty areas.
• Two (2) years of related experience.

Salary is commensurate with years of relevant work experience.