Pharmacist

In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

Provides effective efficient and accurate pharmaceutical care to patients to ensure positive drug therapy outcomes. Work is performed in accordance with protocols internal guidelines/standards and regulatory requirements.

An incumbent coordinates and supervises the compounding and dispensing of drugs according to medication orders issued by authorized medical care providers and is responsible for the timely processing of medication orders and the distribution of medications and IV admixtures to patients in a safe and timely manner.

Job functions:

•  Applies the principles of pharmaceutical care to ensure optimum medication-related patient outcomes.
• Adjusts and/or makes recommendations to optimize medication therapy based on patient-specific clinical factors and data using evidenced-based medicine based on utilization of clinical protocols to enhance patient care.
• Communicates directly with patients families physicians nurses and other appropriate healthcare staff to gather information and make recommendations to enhance patient care.
• Collaborates with pharmacist specialist(s) as appropriate to optimize medication-related patient care.
• Documents clinical activities in the computerized therapeutic intervention program; documents recommendations and adjustments in the patient medical record.
• Coordinates the distribution of medications to patients in their area(s) of responsibility.
• Analyzes medication orders for completeness and appropriateness as relates to drug name dose route schedule disease state allergies other medications and food and drug interactions; processes medication orders to ensure that patients receive safe accurate and appropriate drug therapy in a timely manner.
• Analyzes medication orders for completeness and appropriateness as relates to drug name dose route schedule disease state allergies other medications and food and drug interactions; processes medication orders to ensure that patients receive safe accurate and appropriate drug therapy in a timely manner.
• Supervises and checks the work of supportive personnel as defined in departmental policies and procedures and according to FHS values-based behaviors.
• Provides assistance to supportive personnel as needed.
• Provides education for patients pharmacy staff residents externs interns students technician students and other healthcare workers at FHS in a positive constructive and motivating manner.
• Participates in the orientation of new employees including (but not limited to):  one-on-one on-line training updating contributions to the orientation manual and being available as a resource person for one of the specialized practice settings; precepts pharmacy residents students externs interns and technician students upon demonstrating competency to become a preceptor.
• Communicates in a positive constructive and motivating manner when working with residents and students.
• Collaborates with pharmacist specialist(s) as appropriate to provide needed education for pharmacy staff hospital staff and physicians.
• Presents medication-related issues at nursing staff meetings as assigned.
• Educates patients and families on medication and healthcare-related issues as needed.
• Actively participates in department shift reports and clinical meetings by sharing and contributing.

Participates proactively in medication safety and quality improvement initiatives.

• Actively participates in selected core group contributing to quality improvement and drug use evaluation programs; reports actual potential and near-miss medication errors and adverse drug events according to FHS policies;
• Serves on PIT teams as assigned. Identifies and reports system-related safety and quality improvement issues to Pharmacy Operations Manager Medication PIT (Performance Improvement Team) representative or Pharmacy PIT representative as appropriate.
• Supports FHS medication safety initiatives and provides documentation or information as requested.
• Identifies and corrects personal processes to reduce the potential for medication misadventures; is able to articulate department-based Process Improvement activities.
  Cultural Sensitivity and Competence:  Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication collaboration and the provision of care treatment and services.  Patient Population Served:  Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements

BS in Pharmacy or Pharm D from an accredited school of pharmacy that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities including didactic courses and experiential rotations in pharmaceutical care.

One year of work experience in a hospital pharmacy within the past two years is preferred. Attainment of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree is preferred.

Completion of a post-graduate pharmacy residency is preferred.

Licensure/Certification

• Licensure as a registered pharmacist by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. 
• Membership in at least one of the following professional organizations is preferred: ASHP ASCP WSPA APHA or ACCP.
• Current healthcare provider BLS certification.
• If classified as a Pharmacist-Certified:  Current Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) certification is required.