Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - Pediatric Palliative Care and Pain Management

Responsibilities*

Basic Function and Responsibility

To provide direct patient care, to assist in the development, implementation, provision, and monitoring of pharmacy services; and to assist in the training of other pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, residents, students and healthcare professionals

Patient Care 

• Interact on a daily basis with the Pediatric Palliative Care Consult Service and Pediatric Acute Pain Service assisting with selection of medications, dose titration, medication history and reconciliation, and other medication-related services
• Create criteria for, and execute daily, a targeted review for pediatric patients at risk as it relates to palliative care and pain management
  • Recommend necessary medication therapy adjustments
  • Provide patient and provider education on the correct use of medications, including rescue therapies
• Assist in the development and implementation of new pharmacy services as it relates to pediatric palliative care and pain management
• Attend patient care rounds
• Lead relevant regulatory and quality assessment/improvement initiatives 
• Participate on appropriate Department, University, and Health System committees

Education 

• Assist in the development and provision of pediatric palliative care and pain medication-related education and training programs
• Serve as the expert in medication management for pain and symptom management in the pediatric population; coordinating education, professional development, and   primary pharmacist specialist contact for pediatric palliative care and pain management. Provide these services to:
  • Department of Pharmacy
  • Patients, caregivers, and family members
  • Prescribers
  • Nurses
• Participate in the didactic education and experiential training of students and residents.

Research 

• Conduct or participate in research, drug use projects, cost reduction/management initiatives, and quality improvement activities consistent with the University of Michigan Health System?s goals and objectives.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaboration with the Pain Pharmacy Service, Palliative Care Consult Services and Addiction Consult Team. 
• Development of additional palliative care and pain management pharmacy services, protocols, guidelines, order sets, etc. 
• Provide cross coverage of select pain and palliative care pharmacist team members 

Supervision Received

General supervision is received from the assistant director and/or team leader, or other designated official.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision is exercised over pharmacy residents, pharmacy technicians, students, and other staff performing delegated pharmacy services.

Required Qualifications*

• Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certificate of completion from a PGY-2 Residency in Pediatrics or Pain and Palliative Care, fellowship, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Current licensure as a registered pharmacist by the State of Michigan Board of Pharmacy 
• Michigan Controlled Substance License to practice pharmacy in the State of Michigan, or eligibility to become licensed within 60 days of employment start date
• Able to perform all of the Duties and Responsibilities
• Able to prioritize with accuracy and dependability
• Demonstrate and apply excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Effectively communicate with pharmacy team members, other healthcare professionals, employees, patients and visitors
• Accurately and efficiently interpret and process medication orders, labels, and documentation
• Some experience in clinical pharmacy practice is necessary.
• Some experience in didactic and clinical teaching, including undergraduate and postgraduate level courses is necessary.
• Possession of a state controlled substance license is necessary
• Ability to meet all of the above qualifications and requirements with or without reasonable accommodation

Desired Qualifications*

• A Doctor of Pharmacy degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.
• Completion of two years of pharmacy residency or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is preferred.
• Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification is preferred.
• Current licensure as a registered pharmacist by the Michigan State Board of Pharmacy is necessary.
• Possession of a Michigan Controlled Substances license is necessary.
• Excellent communication skills (fluency in writing, reading and speaking English).
• Ability to perform a variety of manual dexterity movements (ie, keyboard data entry, IV preparation, etc.)