Overview

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist (ASP) monitors medication therapy to optimize patient outcomes and oversees and directs the use of antimicrobial medications to ensure their appropriate utilization in the Treatment Center/Outpatient Clinics as well as Hospital Setting. The ASP provides an expert level of consultation, guidance, and direction for appropriate infectious disease-affiliated medication use. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to provide complete care to the patient through consultative services to providers and clinic staff through inpatient rounding service, and patient care planning meetings. Provides in-service education, performs patient and caregiver education, and counsels patients regarding medication therapy and compliance. Leads and participates in interdisciplinary hospital committees, protocol development, and education of pharmacists, nursing and physicians. Coordinates current patient issues and therapy recommendations with inpatient and outpatient pharmacy staff. In addition, the pharmacist provides direct pharmaceutical care to patients of all ages.

Responsibilities

Reviews and evaluates antimicrobial regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, route, dosing, duration, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes

Attends rounds, patient care meetings, or other similar activities as warranted. Provides recommendations and serves as an antimicrobial-related drug information resource for pharmacy and medical staff

Leads education of pharmacy staff, nursing staff, medical staff, students, and other healthcare professionals in infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship

Identifies opportunities for and conducts drug utilization reviews

Develops institution specific treatment guidelines, policies, interventions, and other strategies for monitoring antimicrobial use and streamlining prophylactic, empiric, and definitive antimicrobial therapy

Directs or co-directs the hospital antimicrobial stewardship committee, and participates on other infection-related hospital committees

Detects, monitors, documents, and reports adverse drug reactions and medication errors

Develops policies and procedures for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT & CoPAT). Works under a collaborative practice agreement to optimize patient outcomes and manage acute and chronic diseases under the scope of practice to improve patient access to care

Demonstrated competency in sterile compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic medication dosing

Qualifications

Education:

Pharm.D degree from an ACPE-accredited School of Pharmacy in the United States required.

Completion of a PGY1 residency or equivalent practice experience required.

PGY2 in infectious disease or other advanced training in antimicrobial stewardship is preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Requirements:

Currently licensed to practice pharmacy in the State of Oregon

BLS certification

Board Certified within 3 years

Physical Requirements:

Physical Demands/Traits: Repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 40 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions and stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, to remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers). Sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours) is often necessary. Must be able to physically operate the equipment used for the job

Working Conditions:

Occupational Hazards: Potential for exposure to infectious patients or materials. Potential for exposure to hazardous and toxic substances (including chemotherapy, cytotoxic drugs, and cleaning solutions). Potential for sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items. Potential for musculoskeletal injuries if proper lifting and carrying techniques are not used.

Site Description:

• 25 bed critical access hospital along Interstate 84 in Hermiston Oregon. Hospital services include OB/GYN, surgical services, critical care, med surg, ER, inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, chemotherapy, PT/OT, endocrinology, and more

• Partners with Legacy health system from Portland Oregon for shared use of Epic electronic health record system