Clinical Pharmacist - Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Stewardship

The Mercy Medical Center Pharmacy Department is seeking an engaged and talented Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist to join our team!  This position will partner with the Lead, ID & AMS Pharmacist to promote and expand our antimicrobial stewardship program.  This position rounds with the infectious disease physician and precepts college of pharmacy students & PGY1 residents.  One focus of this position will be to expand AMS to our outpatient areas.  The successful candidate will be responsible for providing sound clinical support for the interdisciplinary team.  This position is predominately days, but often responds to evening/weekend infectious disease drug information inquires.

External applicants are eligible for an up to $10,000 sign on bonus!

Work Shift

Variable/Rotating Shifts

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

This position supports Mercy’s philosophy of patient centered care by providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care through integrated drug distribution, clinical services, and teaching. This position will spend their time focused on infectious disease and the antimicrobial stewardship program at Mercy in collaboration with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist-Infectious Diseases & AMS. An emphasis for this position will include ambulatory ID/AMS opportunities.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Reviews, evaluates and interprets medication orders for appropriateness.
• Collaborates with physicians, nurses and other members of the healthcare team to ensure appropriate medication therapy.
• Detects, monitors, and documents adverse drug reactions and medication errors.
• Provides clinical pharmacy services through consultation, drug information, teaching and/or committee work.
• Demonstrates evidence of continued professional development.
• Participates in the training and education or new employees and pharmacy students.
• Maintains a working knowledge of and complies with pharmacy policy and standards of work and the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the distribution of medications.
• Responsible for intra-departmental communication.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a team inter- and intra-departmentally to facilitate the department's ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Works collaboratively with Lead Antimicrobial Stewardship/Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist to prioritize and coordinate MercyCare System’s AMS/ID initiatives.
• Expands existing clinical services and develops new programs that target optimal drug therapy utilization and patient outcomes while containing acquisition costs of drugs related to antimicrobial use and infectious diseases, with emphasis in outpatient/ambulatory areas of care. 
• Assists with infectious pandemic and endemic response efforts related to medication management, if needed.
• Directs the clinical monitoring and intervention program for antimicrobial agents to enhance medication selection, administration, and dosing.
• Provides, directs, and enhances staff development and continuing education through in-service education, and competencies for pharmacy personnel, students, nurses, medical staff, and other patient care services staff in the area of infectious disease and AMS.
• Monitors use, expense, and antimicrobial prescribing and resistance patterns and reports information on a regular basis to relevant pharmacy leadership, providers and staff.
• Coordinates, leads, and records antimicrobial stewardship team meetings.
• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of the following patient age groups: neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.

Professional Experience

• Successful completion of an Accredited American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) Residency Program preferred or equivalent pharmacist experience required. 
• Successful completion of an Accredited ASHP Infectious Disease PGY2 Residency Program, preferred.

Education

• Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in pharmacy, required.
• Two years as a licensed pharmacist with enhanced clinical responsibilities, required or successful completion of a PGY1 residency.
• Master of Public Health, preferred.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

• Current Pharmacist licensure required.
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), in accordance with the American Heart Association, preferred.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), preferred.
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (e.g.. BCPS, BCIDP), preferred.
• Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required.  Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.