PHARMACIST SPECIALIST



Job Details

PHARMACIST SPECIALIST
Employer

County of Santa Clara

Salary

$89,415.00 - $108,386.76 Annually

Location

San Jose, CA

Job Type

Full-Time/Part-Time

Job Number

03-P40-A

Department

Valley Medical Center

Division

Pharmacy

Opening Date

08/05/2003

Description

Under direction and subject to community practice standards, federal and State of California laws, rules, and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy, to perform as a specialist in a complex pharmacy area requiring extensive clinical experience and advanced knowledge, training and experience in a specialized, high level area of practice; OR to use hospital pharmacy experience, clinical knowledge, and specialized expertise to function primarily in a policy making, quality assurance, or system development capacity. Pharmacist Specialists report directly to the Director of Pharmacy Services or to an Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services.

Typical Tasks

PHARMACIST SPECIALIST

I. APPLICATION OF EXPERTISE

Assignments require continual application of high level expertise normally acquired from advanced educational preparation (e.g.: PhD) and specialized clinical training such as an accredited hospital residency or fellowship.

II. SPECIALIZED DUTIES

Specifically assigned by the Director of Pharmacy Services to perform complex, specialized pharmacist duties in an inpatient satellite or specialized pharmacy practice area serving a high volume of patients with significantly greater than routine need for monitoring.

Participates frequently and routinely in medical rounds and consultation with physicians within critical care or specialized care areas of the hospital.

Acts as expert consultant to physicians, pharmacists, and other medical personnel in a pharmacy practice area in which advanced clinical expertise has been identified as necessary the Director of Pharmacy Services.

-OR-

III. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

Assigned by the Director of Pharmacy Services to the position responsible for designing, implementing and managing VMC's JCAHO mandated drug use program coordinating pharmacy staff education, and formulating cost containment strategies.

-OR-

Assigned by the Director of Pharmacy Services to the position responsible for coordination of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the development and coordination of the Pharmacy Department's quality assurance program.

IV. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports directly to the Director of Pharmacy Services or an Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services.

PHARMACIST

I. APPLICATION OF EXPERTISE

The educational level required by licensing body is adequate for performing assigned duties.

II. SPECIALIZED DUTIES

Primarily assigned to perform routine dispensing, I.V. Mixing, technical guidance of Pharmacy Technicians, consultation with prescribing physicians, and patient counseling in the dispensing/I.V. Preparation area of the hospital or an outpatient clinic.

May attend physician rounds on an occasional basis, but is not designated to functions as an expert consultant in a specialized pharmacy area.

Consults with physicians regarding pharmaceuticals and pharmacokinetics requiring standard expertise.

-OR-

III. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

May serve as committee member or take responsibility for project that is limited in scope, but does not take long-term, overall responsibility for large, complex area like Quality Assurance, or Drug Use Evaluation.

Does not have longterm, department-wide assignment execept may be assigned short term projects.

IV. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports to a Supervising Pharmacist when assigned to on-site V.M.C./V.H.C. Inpatient/outpatient area. May report to a higher level administrator when assigned to an off-site clinic, or a special project.

Employment Standards

  • Develops, conducts, and prepares special reports, proposals, and/or studies which require an overall knowledge of the trends, problems and other matters affecting hospital/medical clinic pharmacy operations;

  • Formulates and implements plans for professional drug information/education programs for the Medical Center;

  • Provides authoritative professional guidance/consultation to pharmacy/medical staff on a routine, daily basis;

  • Organizes and monitors Pharmacy documents for review by accreditation and regulatory agencies;

  • Assumes the responsibilities and performs the duties of a professional pharmacist as defined in the Pharmacy Practice provisions of the Business and Professional Code.

  • Works with Physicians on drug usage standards and monitoring of drug use;

  • May be responsible for Quality Assurance activities in the Pharmacy Department;

  • Ensures Pharmacy Services Department compliance with pertinent hospital policies and State regulations;

  • Uses computer/data processing systems as tools in performing specialized assignments and keeping Pharmacy records;

  • May act as preceptor of pharmacy students and interns;

  • Serves on Pharmacy Department/hospital committees;

  • Performs related duties as required.

    When assigned in an advanced, complex pharmacy area:

  • Routinely consults with physicians on drug use and the therapy of specific patients, and recommends changes in the prescribed drug therapy of these patients to the prescriber.

  • Consults with other pharmacists in an area(s) of speciality;

  • Monitors specific patients, administers prescribed drug treatment, and appropriately adjusts flow of medication;

  • Reviews individual patient parameters to ensure that drug therapy is appropriate;

  • May prepare I.V. solutions for the first administration of a drug or in non-routine or high risk situations;

  • Provides clinical and consultative services within the context of total therapeutic treatment of complex cases;

  • Participates in medical staff rounds;

  • Frequently conducts training for nursing and medical staff as well as pharmacy students and other health care professionals on drug utilization, dosage, drug incompatibility, preferred forms, toxicity etc.;

  • Performs related duties as required.

    When assigned to a specialized administrative area:

  • May be responsible for on-going preparation, communications, meeting coordination, drug evaluations, and related tasks for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee or other assigned committees;

  • Formulates, implements and/or manages drug use evaluation activities at Valley Medical Center;

  • May be responsible for ongoing development, revision, and distribution of the Valley Medical Center formulary;

  • May formulate, implement and/or manage Quality Assurance activities in the department or as part of hospital committees;

  • Prepares manuals, newsletters, and educational materials;

  • Performs related work as required.
  • Physical Requirements

    Possession of an advanced academic degree (M.S., Pharm.D., PhD.) or the equivalent in Pharmacy from an accredited College of Pharmacy and completion of a clinical residency or the equivalent, and a valid license to practice as a pharmacist in the State of California.

    Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate high level expertise in at least one specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or administration AND sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and abilities:

    Experience Note: Successful applicants for the position of Pharmacist Specialist would normally have a minimum of two years relevant post-internship experience in a hospital or large medical clinic setting.

    Knowledge of:

  • Pharmacology and related fields;

  • Physiology, anatomy, pathology and mathematics as they relate to pharmaceutical calculations and pharmacy practice;

  • Clinical pharmacy, including but not limited to pharmacokinetics, infectious disease therapy, neonatology;

  • Legislation governing hospital pharmacy services;

  • Fundamental principles of hospital pharmacy and relevant health care systems;

  • Principles and methods of providing training and education;

  • Computer/data processing operations in the pharmacy situation.

    Ability to:

  • Effectively advise and train medical, nursing, and other personnel regarding the properties and effects, proper administration, stability and compatibility of drug substances;

  • Assign, train, and evaluate the work of professional and paraprofessional personnel;

  • Maintain up to date, technical knowledge in the field of pharmacology and relevant related areas;

  • Prepare and maintain complex reports;

  • Develop procedures assuring efficient operation of assigned area;

  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;

  • Make effective presentations before students, peers, physicians, and other staff.
  • Click here to see complete Union Contract for more information.

    There are a wide variety of benefits available to County of Santa Clara employees. These benefits include: health, dental, vision, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending account for health care, dependent care assistance program, an employee assistance program, and a deferred compensation program.

    The County pays 100% of the single premium for all health plan options and 100% of the family rate for our HMO options for all full-time employees. There is a biweekly cost for family coverage for our Point Of Service plan for full-time employees. In addition, the County pays 100% of the premium for both dental plan options, for the vision plan premium and for the basic life insurance plan. Premiums deductions for part-time employees are prorated based on hours worked each pay period.

    MEDICAL INSURANCE

    The County offers several medical plans to all full-time and part-time employees working at least 50%. Currently, the County offers Kaiser Permanente and Valley Health Plan (HMOs) and HealthNet (POS). Co-payments vary by plan and is based on where care is accessed.

    Kaiser

    $5.00 Office Visit, $5.00 for 100 day supply prescription drugs, $5.00 emergency room visit

    Valley Health

    $0.00 co-payments except for $10.00 for chiropractic services

    HealthNet

    Co-payments and deductibles vary depending on where care is accessed in network or out-of-network

    DENTAL INSURANCE

    The County offers two comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.

    Delta Dental

    This plan covers 75% of routine and preventative care up to $2,000 per member per calendar year when services are obtained through a Delta Dental Provider. Orthodontic benefit plan covers 60% up to $2,000 lifetime maximum.

    Pacific Union Dental

    This plan has no annual maximum benefit and no deductible. There are some small co-payments for certain procedures. Employees must go to any Pacific Union Dental participating dentist. Orthodontic benefit plan pays all but $1,150.

    VISION INSURANCE

    The County of Santa Clara provides vision insurance through Vision Service Plan.

    Vision Insurance Plan

    This plan provides an annual eye exam and lenses/contacts for employees and their eligible dependents with a $20 co-pay and new frames every 24 months with a $20 co-pay.

    HOLIDAY/VACATION/SICK ACCRUALS

    The County offers 11 paid holidays per year. Vacation and sick time is accrued on an hourly basis based on the vacation schedule for your particular bargaining unit.

    LIFE INSURANCE

    The County of Santa Clara provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is $25,000. The County pays 100% of the cost for full-time coded employees. Part-time employees pay a prorated amount based on hours worked each pay period.

    FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

    The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $1,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses not covered by the benefit plans. This program is regulated by the IRS (IRC 125) and run on a calendar year basis. Open enrollment is held annually.

    DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

    The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. This program is regulated by the IRS (IRC 125) and run on a calendar year basis. Open enrollments are held annually.

    RETIREMENT INFORMATION

    The County of Santa Clara participates in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

    Public Employees’ Retirement System 800-352-2238

    The County pays 100% of the employer share and, in most cases, pays and reports 100% of the value of the employee share as special for the purpose of retirement benefit calculations. The County’s portion for contribution of the employee rate is determined by bargaining unit agreements.

    The retirement programs are:

    2% at 55 – Miscellaneous employees

    3% at 50 – Safety

    DEFERRED COMPENSATION

    The County has a contract with I.C.M.A. Retirement Corporation, which offers a variety of FDIC insured products as well as mutual funds and other types of investment vehicles.

    I.C.M.A. 800-735-7202 x4910

    An employee may elect up to 85% of their biweekly pay to be deducted from their paycheck. This contribution is deducted from gross wages prior to paying federal and state taxes. The annual maximum contribution beginning with calendar year 2002 is $11,000 and will increase each calendar year in $1,000 increments up to a maximum of $15,000 annually.

    EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

    The County provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in a variety of areas such as, legal matters, marriage/family counseling, substance abuse, stress relief, and child care referrals. The EAP provides up to 5 counseling sessions per incident for employee and/or eligible dependents per fiscal year.

    Employer
    County of Santa Clara
    Address
    70 W. Hedding Street
    Lower Level,
    San Jose, California, 95110
    Phone
    (408) 299-5830

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