PHARMACIST SPECIALIST

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: