Clinical Pharmacist - Advanced (45621)

Under the general administrative supervision of the Chief Pharmacist, the Clinical Pharmacist – Advanced provides direct pharmaceutical care within the outpatient pharmacy program at Winslow Indian Health Care Center. The position works in close collaboration with the Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, who provides clinical guidance and direction related to pharmacy-based services, protocols, and clinical program development, but does not serve as the employee’s administrative supervisor.

The Advanced Clinical Pharmacist provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care with an expanded scope of clinical responsibility. In addition to supporting routine pharmacy operations as needed, this role serves as a clinical leader responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of pharmacy-based clinical services. The Advanced Clinical Pharmacist practices with a high degree of autonomy under approved protocols and collaborative practice agreements and serves as a subject matter expert in complex medication management and chronic disease states.

Upholds the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality in accordance with organizational expectations
• Obtains and documents relevant medical, medication, and health histories; follows established treatment plans; and monitors patient response to therapy.
• Performs focused physical assessments related to pharmacy-based clinical services (e.g. anticoagulation management) and identifies normal versus abnormal findings to recognize potential clinical concerns.
• Documents clinical activities, updates medication lists, and maintains allergy information in the medical record.
• Orders and interprets laboratory tests as authorized by approved protocols and collaborative practice agreements.
• Monitors, titrates, and adjusts medication therapy within pharmacy clinics and established protocols.
• Provides therapeutic drug monitoring services and evaluates medication regimens for safety, effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost considerations; communicates recommendations to the ordering or primary care provider.
• Interviews and evaluates patients to obtain significant medical and medication histories.
• Reviews medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions, therapeutic duplication, adherence concerns, and adverse drug events.
• Serves as a therapeutic consultant and clinical resource to medical staff.
• Accurately fills and dispenses prescription and over-the-counter medications as ordered by licensed providers, in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Counsels patients on medication use, storage, precautions, and potential side effects, and documents cognitive services provided.
• Cancels or discontinues medications when no longer in use, replaced, or providing no therapeutic benefit, in accordance with provider direction and approved guidelines.
• Initiates prescriptions for approved formulary medications and medical supplies as documented in clinic guidelines and protocols.
• Renews prescriptions for a limited duration (up to 30 days) when expired or discontinued in error and adjusts medication doses as authorized.
• Provides formal and informal education and in-services to medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff as requested.
• Provides training and educational support for pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and medical students.
• Provides guidance, training, and mentoring to Clinical Pharmacists.
• Prepares and delivers educational lectures and presentations for professional trainees within the service unit.
• Educates patients and families regarding medications, common disease states, and health promotion topics.
• Collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professionals in the development of clinical protocols, standards of practice, and pharmacy-related research activities.
• Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities, including audits, chart reviews, and development of review criteria.
• Completes tasks and duties assigned by supervisory leadership.
• Upholds patient confidentiality and maintains compliance with professional, ethical, and legal standards.
• Adheres to WIHCC personnel policies, departmental procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Interacts in a professional, honest, and respectful manner with patients, staff, visitors, and vendors.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity in patient care and workplace interactions.
• Maintains compliance with Human Resources requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy. 
• Completion of a PGY1 residency and current board certification in a relevant specialty area is required; alternatively, a minimum of three (3) years of relevant pharmacy experience in lieu of PGY1 residency, along with current board certification in a relevant specialty area, is acceptable.
• Relevant certifications include but are not limited to:
  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
  • Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP)
  • Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist (BCCP)
  • Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP)
  • Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (BCIDP)
  • Board Certified Pain Management Pharmacist (BCPP)
  • Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
• A BLS certification is required. An ACLS certification is required within a year of hire.
• Bilingual skills in English and Navajo language preferred. 
• Must maintain a valid unrestricted and insurable driver’s license. 
• Must successfully pass a background investigation and maintain suitable requirements for a Child Care position. This position is considered as a Child Care position, which requires a satisfactory background check investigation and is subject to the requirements of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, as amended (henceforth referred as the ICPFVP Act).

Knowledge, Skills, Ability

• Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, and techniques of clinical and basic pharmacy required to provide direct patient care services.
• Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of medications, therapeutic actions of drugs, and principles of chemical, biological, pharmacological, and biopharmaceutical sciences.
• Knowledge of planning, monitoring, and evaluating drug therapy in a clinical practice setting.
• Knowledge of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches related to chronic disease states managed through pharmacy-based clinics.
• Knowledge of appropriate clinical resources and reference materials and their proper use.
• Knowledge of confidentiality principles and patient privacy requirements.
• Knowledge of basic computer applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of WIHCC policies, procedures, and organizational standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients regarding disease states, treatment goals, laboratory tests, and the proper use, administration, precautions, and storage of medications.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with physicians and other healthcare providers regarding patient care and treatment plans.
• Ability to identify, develop, and participate in educational activities related to patient care for healthcare professionals and students.
• Ability to collect, organize, document, and communicate relevant patient information, including health history, focused assessments, and laboratory data, within the scope of pharmacy practice and approved protocols.
• Ability to maintain dependable attendance, meet scheduling requirements, and demonstrate reliability in job performance, including overtime when required.
• Ability to accept feedback and incorporate guidance from supervisors and peers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide consistent, high-quality customer service.
• Ability to interact positively with patients, staff, and other stakeholders and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the organization.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to function as an effective team member while demonstrating initiative and professional confidence.

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects and equipment, reach with hands and arms, and communicate effectively by talking and hearing. The employee frequently must stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and may occasionally use taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting or outdoor work environment with moderate noise levels. Work environment may involve exposure to physical risks, such as blood borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, or operating potential dangerous equipment, and requires adherence to all safety protocols. Required work schedules may include evening, weekend, overnight shifts, extended hours, or irregular schedules as operational needs dictate.  

As required by P.L. 93-638, absolute preference will be given to qualified Navajo applicants.  If there is no qualified Navajo applicant, preference will be given to qualified American Indian applicants.