Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Medication Safety

Detailed Overview In collaboration with the Coordinator, Medication Safety Systems and the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Medication Safety implements and has a major role in planning the Medication Safety Systems and other regional change initiatives. Develops, implements and evaluates pharmacy and patient care department policies, procedures and methods to improve all aspects of medication safety; analyzes clinical processes and develops strategies to maximize their safety, efficacy and efficiency; develops and implements medication error reduction. Responsibilities In collaboration with the Coordinator, Medication Safety Systems, completes medication safety systems reviews in conjunction with local pharmacy, medical and nursing staff by analyzing clinical processes and developing strategies to maximize their safety, efficacy and efficiency; makes modifications to existing and planned systems to enhance medication safety. Develops and implements medication error reduction strategies in collaboration with designated departments and patient care areas, in support of local and regional initiatives. Collates and reports information regarding institutional medication safety issues; reviews and analyses medication incidents, medication safety hazards and adverse drug events and makes modifications to existing systems to enhance medication safety. In collaboration with the Coordinator, Medication Safety Systems, develops, implements and evaluates pharmacy and patient care department policies, procedures and methods to improve all aspects of medication safety; maintains knowledge of provincial, national and international medication safety efforts by reading literature related to process improvement and medication safety, and identifies and actions opportunities for local adoption and implementation. Acts as the clinical resource for medication safety and safety improvement methodologies by providing formal and informal education to leadership and staff, and by serving on local committees and councils that influence medication safety; promotes a culture across the organization that perceives safety as a priority. Works with the Coordinator, Medication Safety Systems, and the Manager, Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety to plan departmental goals and objectives related to improved medication safety; implements and evaluates medication safety initiatives based on the local and regional goals and objectives of the department. Collaborates with the Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services medication safety team to identify areas of educational need for hospital staff including physicians, nurses and pharmacy personnel to enhance medication safety; ensures timely communication to all affected parties of information and learning regarding medication safety; conducts educational sessions and in-services on medication safety. Maintains a variety of records; prepares reports on a variety of activities within the discipline, gathers and records information into approved formats, accounts for variances, sets up and updates computerized files and spreadsheets using word-processing and spreadsheet software. Represents Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services on committees and councils that influence medication safety; identifies and pursues opportunities for improvements and facilitates projects for applied research in the area of medication safety. Performs clinical pharmacist functions including dispensing medications, checking for complications, providing pharmaceutical care and providing input to the other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding patient care plans. Performs other related duties, as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Current registration as a Pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. Certificate of completion of year 1 and year 2 of a Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program accredited by the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) supplemented by two years' recent, relevant hospital pharmacy experience including one year's pharmacy experience in medication safety or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Skills and Abilities Broad knowledge of organization policies, procedures and standards of care Knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice Knowledge of research processes and methodology Knowledge of hospital and pharmacy information systems and supporting technologies Knowledge of drug distribution processes in a hospital setting Knowledge of patient care information systems Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including the ability to make presentations Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other health practitioners, as well as patients, family members and the public Ability to plan, implement, organize, problem-solve, and manage projects Ability to effectively lead and coordinate project teams, pharmacists, technicians, assistants and students Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position