Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc.

Work Shift/Schedule:
8 Hr Morning - Afternoon

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Job Summary

The Pharmacist for Ambulatory Care (the Pharmacist) is an energetic, organized individual who takes ownership and initiative in handling a wide range of duties from specific aspects of complex project coordination and implementation, to providing high level administrative and coaching support for staff regarding specific clinical care processes and safe medication practices. Close collaboration with providers, care management and population health staff is expected. The Pharmacist must be an excellent team player, have a proven history of positive medication safety improvements within a collaborative work environment, and be able to successfully provide guidance to a variety of clinical and non-clinical leaders through NGPG. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Pharmacist will be responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring medication safety policies for NGPG that support safe prescribing practices and optimum patient outcomes. S/he will collaborate with providers on best practices in addressing patient medication needs, including patient education and self-management. The Pharmacist will be responsible for analyzing medication usage data, including prescribing practices and outcomes, variances in medication safety practices, and developing educational activities related to polypharmacy, pharmaceutical support for clinical pathways, and medication safety for the NGPG learning community, which is comprised of providers, clinic staff, practice administrators, operations leadership, and NGPG senior leaders.

The Pharmacist must demonstrate a creative ability to develop and lead educational offerings as determined by need and analysis, and to assist with other types of learning sessions and committee or other team meetings designed to support optimum patient outcomes and a high degree of medication safety in the ambulatory care setting. The Pharmacist will also assist with identifying opportunities for collaboration with the QUEST transformation team in order to improve processes that promote patient safety.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications:
  
  Georgia licensed PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy). Credentials required include at least one of the following: BCACP, BCPS, BCOP, BCPP, or CGP.
  
• Educational Requirements:
  
  Competency must be obtained through training or commensurate experience. Credentials required include at least one of the following: BCACP, BCPS, BCOP, BCPP, or CGP.
  
• Minimum Experience:
  
  2-3 years recent experience as a pharmacist in a clinical setting (hospital or ambulatory care).
  

NGHS Core Competencies

• Being Vulnerable: Admits mistakes and shortcomings; Shares thoughts and feelings openly; Is transparent without hidden agendas; Seen as authentic and genuine; Open and non-defensive to feedback
  
• Communicating Effectively: Shares information fully and offers knowledge and experience; Conveys ideas in a manner that engages others; Takes unpopular positions if necessary; Engages in unfiltered dialogue; Relates to others in a respectful manner, regardless of level, personality and background
  
• Being Accountable: Demonstrates tenacity and perseverance; Takes initiative; Engages resources to overcome obstacles; Has the courage to do the right thing even when difficult; Acts with integrity in accordance with our Core Values
  
• Displaying Empathy: Shares in the joys and pains of others; Is available and offers to help others; Shows concern for the challenges of others; Has a positive and kind demeanor; Takes a non-judgmental approach with others
  
• Holding Others Accountable: Provides current actionable feedback, both corrective and reinforcing; Doesn't allow problems to fester; Takes action when necessary, even if unpleasant; Uses every opportunity to give reinforcing feedback to others; Helps others see their blind spots
  
• Listening: Practices attentive and active listening; Listens for the unsaid; Asks questions to confirm understanding; Hears people out without interrupting; Is open to viewpoints of others
  
• Managing Disagreement: Acknowledges differing viewpoints and sees it as an opportunity to learn; Doesn't run away from conflict; Strives for win/win solutions; Hammers out tough agreements; Finds common ground and solves problems for the good of all
  
• Promoting Teamwork: Values the contributions of all; Connects others' roles to organizational and team success; Encourages and supports; Cuts across boundaries to get things done; Puts own needs aside for good of the team and the organization
  
• Striving for Continuous Improvement: Experiments regularly with new ideas and approaches; Willing to fail; Learns from mistakes; Always seeks to be better tomorrow than today; Adapts to change
  

Organization Expectations

• Quest: Demonstrates/utilizes Quest tools in department.
  
• Talent Development: Coaches and develops staff.
  
• Safety: Promotes patient, visitor and staff safety and effectively manages hazards that lead to injury or harm.
  
• Productivity: Meets productivity expectations.
  
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures department's compliance with all regulatory, DNV, mandatory education, and similar requirements.
  

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Identifies unit/department level goals that align with the organization's Key Performance Indicators.

HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act)

If, in the normal course of my duties and responsibilities, I am required to access protected health information (PHI) and electronic protected health information (EPHI) for the purposes of treatment, payment and operations within Northeast Georgia Health System, I will limit such access to only the minimum necessary amount of PHI and EPHI necessary to perform the functions of my job. If access is not required in the normal course of my duties and responsibilities, I will not access PHI or EPHI.

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent self-management and organizational skills and ability to work as a team-player.
  
• High degree of professionalism and capacity to manage relationships with a wide variety of individuals in differing roles, e.g. senior management, Board members, physicians, employers, government, consumers, media.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with high degree of competency in manipulating and presenting large data.
  
• Ability to be flexible, prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently with minimal supervision.
  
• Strong administrative and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
  
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office suite and experience with advanced software (e.g. Visio) preferred. Experience with RL a plus.
  
• Good understanding of investigation techniques (e.g., root cause analysis, FMEA) and performance improvement management methods (e.g., Lean Six Sigma).
  
• Must be able to assume a wide range of responsibilities, to work with staff who vary in their work styles, and to work under pressure. Must be willing to work irregular/extra hours and travel in- state as necessary. Provide timely response to requests and deadlines. Receive, process, and provide visual and verbal information.
  
• Must demonstrate high integrity and be creative and able to work in a very fast paced, dynamic environment.
  
• Maintains current awareness and understanding of standards, principles, trends, regulations, best practices, and pay for performance measures related to medication management, role and scope of pharmacist practice, and patient safety issues.
  
• Uphold the principles and guidelines of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
  
• Essential Tasks and Responsibilities
  
• 1. Obtain and analyze data pertaining to provider prescribing practices.
  

2. Utilize prescribing data to assist in the following:

2A. Develop, implement, and manage a NGPG formulary.

2B. Develop an ambulatory antibiogram by clinic (or by region when warranted).

2C. Determines best use of medical-evaluation studies (by medication or therapeutic class, disease state or condition, a medication - use process (prescribing, preparing and dispensing, administering, and monitoring), or specific outcomes.

2D. Evaluate and improve medication-use processes with the goal of optimal patient outcomes. Collaborate with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to establish consistent and sustainable models for seamless transitions across the continuum of care.

2E. Collaborate with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to establish consistent and sustainable models for seamless transitions across the continuum of care.

3. Leverage health information technologies to efficiently identify populations of patients for whom evidence-based comprehensive medication management is indicated.

4. Develop, promote, and utilize resources and tools to facilitate identification of patients who require comprehensive medication management to optimize patient care and pharmacy practice in the ambulatory care setting.

5.Develop education for patients and caregivers designed to improve self-management and patient safety, to include incorporating principles of health literacy and cultural sensitivity.

6. Collaborate with care team to identify support needed to achieve optimal outcomes in performance measures involving, related to, or requiring medication practices.

7. Demonstrate measurable and meaningful impact on individual patient and population outcomes.

8. Conduct comprehensive medication reviews for polypharmacy, drug allergies, clinical effectiveness, cost effective drug selection, dose optimization, contraindications, adverse effects, potential drug interactions, therapeutic outcomes and adherence, and new formulary considerations.

9. Serve as a credible, trusted resource for the identification, analysis, and promotion of safe medication practices.

9A . Review, investigate when warranted, and analyze medication variances reported through the electronic reporting system.

9B. Make recommendations for performance improvement based on analysis and trends related to medication variances.

9C. Implement and maintain a communication vehicle (i.e., newsletter, etc.) that furthers dialogue and learning among the care team about medication practices that are safe and effective.

10. Serve as a resource to physicians, advanced practice providers and other clinical staff regarding inquiries related to clinical appropriateness, current regulatory and/or professional guidelines, and new drugs.

10A. Report and educate care teams on antibiograms and monitor effectiveness.

10B. Collaborate with providers when requested for consultation on individual patient care prescribing concerns or questions.

11. Design, implement, and monitor an antimicrobial stewardship program for the ambulatory care setting, including Urgent Care.

12. Collaborate with providers in designing and implementing medication-related shared decision-making tools for patient/provider use.

13. Recommend best practices for efficiency and patient outcomes in achieving optimal outcomes for medication related pay for performance measures prescribed by CMS and NCQA (HEDIS measures).

14. Collaborates with providers on the development and implementation of clinical pathways as applicable.

15. Acts as liaison and oversees a pharmacy residency program for ambulatory care.

16. Manages and directs all pharmacists in the ambulatory care environment that provide direct patient care activities (when embedded in the ambulatory care clinics and applicable).

17. Participate in research that supports pharmacist value in contributing to improved health outcomes.

18. Attends and participates in the review of panel patients by health plan partners, including HP2.

19. Attends and participates in the Quality & Patient Safety Council.

20. Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, 0-30% of time
  
• Weight Carried: Up to 50 lbs, 0-30% of time
  
• Vision: Moderate 31-65% of time
  
• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: 0-30%
  
• Standing/Walking: 0-30%
  
• Pushing/Pulling: 0-30%
  
• Intensity of Work: 31-65%
  
• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Fingering, Driving
  

Environment and Working Conditions

• OSHA Category: II
  
  Job classifications in which normal duties do not reasonably anticipate exposure to blood or other potentially infectious or hazardous materials. Contact with blood may occur in an emergency.
  

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.

This job has expired.