Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- IDS - The University of Chicago Medicine

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in the Specialty Pharmacy- Investigational Drug Services. As a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, you will be a registered pharmacist who assumes responsibility and accountability for the provision of safe, effective, and prompt medication therapy. UCM Specialty Pharmacy supports and provides direct patient care to adult and pediatric populations. Our pharmacists cover pharmacy operations and clinical needs for 15+ specialty ambulatory clinics. This position is designed to support our clinics in Specialty, which include Oncology, Neurology, HIV, Transplant, Rheumatology, and Gastroenterology. Pharmacist responsibilities include clinical and operational tasks to support specialty pharmacy and provider needs. The pharmacist will work alongside world-renowned providers. 

Sign-On Bonus Eligible! 

Job Summary

Through various assignments within the department, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists provide support of centralized and decentralized medication-use systems as well as deliver optimal medication therapy to patients with a broad range of disease states. Clinical Pharmacist Specialists participate in all necessary aspects of the medication-use system while providing comprehensive and individualized pharmaceutical care to the patients in their assigned areas. Pharmaceutical care services include but are not limited to assessing patient needs, incorporating age and disease specific characteristics into drug therapy and patient education, adjusting care according to patient response, and providing clinical interventions to detect, mitigate, and prevent medication adverse events. Clinical Pharmacist Specialists serve as departmental resources and liaisons to other departments, hospital personnel, or external groups. They proficiently manage and facilitate the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards. They also conduct clinical research and practice advancement projects as well as patient care quality and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice. Clinical Pharmacist Specialists provide medication and practice-related education/training and actively serve as preceptors for doctor of pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.

Essential Job Functions 

• Leads assigned patient service lines, clinical areas, and therapeutic programs
• Clinic responsibilities may include in clinic visits, follow up monitoring, patient education, medication reconciliation, vaccine recommendations, labs monitoring and drug information requests from providers, patients and multidisciplinary support staff
• May be involved in transition-of-care between in-patient and out-patient services
• Coordinate care for specialty medications to ensure access and affordability to therapies prior to start
• Delivers direct patient care and clinical practice, including decentralized and service-based programs
• Provides pharmaceutical services throughout medical center
• Participates in pharmacy operations and medication dispensing
• Facilitates experiential education and practice advancement
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications 

• Graduate of an ACPE accredited School of Pharmacy
• Completion of ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency required
• Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and service.
• Knowledge and understanding of general hospital operations and regulatory compliance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnel.
• Ability to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activities.
• Significant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient centered care.
• Significant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, specialty medication therapy management, and specialty evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignments.
• Strong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential training.
• Eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in the state of Illinois or eligible (complete licensure process within 60 days of employment).
• Board Certification in area of expertise is required within 18 months of hire (ie. BCPS, BCOP, BCACP, etc.).

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Doctor of Pharmacy or another advanced degree preferred.
• PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency highly preferred.
• Clinical pharmacy experience (2-4 years) in a hospital setting preferred (required if no PGY-2 residency).
• Pediatric experience preferred. 

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full Time (1.00)
• Shift: Day
• Unit/Department: Hyde Park Pharmacy
• CBA Code: Non-Union

In this role, we anticipate that you will generally work approximately 40 hours per week.  We anticipate that you will generally be scheduled to work the day and will be scheduled for on-call shifts a few weeks per year.  We anticipate you will be scheduled to work 100% at the Hyde Park campus.  The days of the week that you are scheduled will be Monday-Friday.

Must comply with UCMC’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.