Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Antimicrobial Stewardship

Detailed Overview Reporting to the Coordinator, AMS and in collaboration and partnership with the Coordinator, Clinical Pharmacy Services at the assigned site, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, AMS implements and has a major role in planning the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Identifies target areas of antimicrobial drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use. Prepares reports on activities and develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the AMS Program as needed to accurately assess antimicrobial drug usage patterns. Monitors drug-utilization data records for reporting and analysis as required. Develops and implements AMS policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents. Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy services. Conducts antimicrobial drug utilization evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or antimicrobial stewardship decision making. Develops communication materials relating to the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Responsibilities Plans, implements and regularly assesses site-based AMS Programs; collaborates with project team members, medical and nursing staff and provides leadership and guidance to pharmacy staff to enable successful implementation of AMS initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of drug care. Identifies target areas of antimicrobial drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use. Develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the AMS Program as needed to accurately assess antimicrobial drug usage patterns. Monitors antimicrobial drug-utilization data records for reporting and analysis as required for various needs such as operational, budgetary, surveillance and research utilizing computerized files, databases and spreadsheet software; identifies and resolves discrepancies. Develops and implements AMS policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents. Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy operations and reviews current policies, utilization patterns and supply chain issues. Conducts antimicrobial medication use evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or antimicrobial medication use management decision making; prepares drug technology assessments for applications for change in medication formulary status. Presents recommendations to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee as needed. Develops communication materials relating to Pharmacy Services' AMS Program such as newsletters, departmental guidelines, procedures and prescriber pre-printed orders; oversees distribution to enable consistency in the dissemination of pertinent information. Maintains expertise in applicable pharmacy areas; reviews periodicals and associated literature, participates in professional continuing education programs to ensure current best practices are effectively implemented and/or utilized. Educates staff in the interpretation and application of published clinical literature to improve clinical practice outcomes and support new change initiatives, drug policies or antimicrobial guidelines. Provides support to the pharmacy residency program through training during residency rotations and/or being a residency project preceptor. Acts as a clinical pharmacy specialist for the AMS Program through methods such as conducting assessments, providing clinical advice and making recommendations on appropriate drug use; provides information and/or interpretation on research-based findings and reports outcomes. Participates in the development of clinical pathways and therapeutic protocols and educates physicians on formulary decisions and related Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee recommendations. Represents Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services with respect to AMS on multidisciplinary committees by attending meetings and providing input. Participates in quality improvement activities through methods such as reviewing current practices, performing quality assurance audits, identifying actual or potential problems and recommending changes. Participates in staff meetings, committees and other programs as required; identifies opportunities to improve processes and/or procedures to enable safe and efficient operations and refers to supervisor and/or others. 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. 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 antimicrobial stewardship or an equivalent combination of education, training and related experience. Skills and Abilities Broad knowledge organizational policies, procedures and standards of care. Knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice. Knowledge of pharmacoeconomic evaluation. Knowledge of research processes and methodology. Knowledge of hospital and pharmacy 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 coach, mentor, participate, teach and facilitate learning within a multidisciplinary setting. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.