City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.
A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.
City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences to our work — and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding. We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity – in ideas, backgrounds and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.
Position Summary
The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and works independently to support the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. This CPS functions as a member of the COH multidisciplinary team working collaboratively with other health care providers to deliver advanced clinical services to City of Hope patients, while providing professional guidance to staff within assigned service line and promoting continued growth of comprehensive clinical pharmacy services. The CPS will ensure provision of safe, appropriate, timely, and cost-effective pharmacotherapy to our patients in accordance with evidence-based literature, regulations governing pharmacy practice, and City of Hope policies and procedures. CPS will also act as a drug information resource to the other health care providers and will be responsible for education of staff on drug-related topics in their area of specialty.
The clinical pharmacist specialist has the education, training and skills and is considered the pharmacy’s top subject matter expert in medication management in the specific area of specialty.
The clinical pharmacist specialist delivers comprehensive patient centered care by providing ongoing disease education, counseling, and benefit verification as well as coordination of care with multiple care providers. The pharmacist provides comprehensive patient and care givers medication education and a customized and personalized adherence management plan.
The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist will guide Clinical Pharmacists to develop, implement, and maintain systems that promote desirable clinical outcomes through use of safe, cost-effective drug therapies while supporting City of Hope mission. The CPS will provide disease specific support in their area of specialty when needed, helping with complex therapeutic issues, acting as the liaisons between the Pharmacy enterprise and the health care team members, and by providing continued education activities while supporting the professional growth of the staff.
Key Responsibilities include:
Provision of Clinical Services
Collaborates with providers to develop, implement, and maintain systems that promote desirable clinical outcomes through use of safe, cost-effective drug therapies. Designs pharmaceutical care plans if needed and documents interventions performed.
Provides oversight of safe and timely medication use system in the assigned specialty area
Collaborates with members of multidisciplinary health care team to optimize patient’s medication therapy
Actively participate in multidisciplinary team rounds
Evaluates physician’s medication orders for appropriateness
Helps develop and implement drug therapy plans for patients in collaboration with the other team members
Monitors treatments and provides timely follow-up on the clinical effects of the medication regimen with recommendation for adjustments as necessary to achieve optimal outcomes and documents actions
When appropriate, approves new drug orders, which may include checking/verifying chemotherapy notes, and processing non-formulary requests.
Screens for drug-drug, drug-herb/dietary supplement, drug-allergy, drug-food, drug-disease state and drug-laboratory interactions.
Performs pharmacokinetic drug monitoring on individual patients
Provides education to providers and patients and care giver as needed
Prevents, detects, manages, and documents adverse drug reactions to minimize adverse events in patients
Serves as a drug information resource for other members of the multidisciplinary team
Addresses and helps to resolve medication management issues that arise in the specialty area
Ensure timely access to oral oncology medication by proactively collaborating with other team members of the specialty pharmacy program
Act as a liaison between the care team and the specialty pharmacy distributors to ensure timely access to medications.
Ensure that all patient care follow up is completed timely (lab, assessments, scans, etc.) in accordance with the patient care plan.
Fiscal Responsibilities
Engages in activities related to reimbursement optimization and pre-authorization with the ultimate goal of minimizing insurance denials, when appropriate.
Engages in activities that promotes cost effective high-quality care such as review for appropriate medication use criteria, medical necessity and “on/off” label indication based on payor guidelines, coordination of necessary documentation with the ordering provider, and interpreting ongoing payor changes to the team.
Keep abreast of changes in payor policies and practices.
Provides support to the Specialty Pharmacy Program to maximize patient enrollment in the program
Actively participate in educating patients and their care givers on specialty medications and the impact of the program on their health care and outcomes
Maintains and promotes understanding of 340b practices when applicable
Evaluates non-formulary requests and offer alternatives to medical staff as appropriate
Participates in cost-saving and/or revenue-generating activities to contribute to the financial health of the department while ensuring safe quality care.
Administrative Responsibilities
Responsible for development of evidence-based treatment guidelines, order sets, treatment plans,
Develop and Implement policies and procedures for the oncology area of practice and other clinical areas of specialty pharmacy programs to ensure timely access to medications and the provision of high quality care and outcome
Develop and maintain safe medication prescribing and dispensing practices in accordance with best practice and most up to date clinical guidelines.
Closely measure and track quality assurance measures in their specialty area and report trending data to the pharmacy leadership team.
Educates medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff about the management, prescribing and monitoring of oncology therapies including chemotherapy agents.
Work in close collaboration with pharmacy medication safety officer to address medication errors and near misses and ensure that system issues resulting in those medication errors are resolved. Develop standard work processes and staff education to address system gaps
Participates in formulary management and review of medication use processes to improve timely delivery of patient care.
Assists the Pharmacy Leadership team with management of drug shortages.
Work closely with the medical teams and the patient health care providers at their area of specialty to ensure that all medication substitution is therapeutically appropriate during drug shortages.
Actively supports reporting of Pharmacy Interventions, Adverse Drug Reactions, and Medication Errors for the institution
Represents Pharmacy Department at assigned institutional committees and provides updates to the Pharmacy Leadership on relevant topics
Participate in pharmacy staff development, including new employee orientation, students, residents and training.
Lead quality improvement projects and continuously assess the effectiveness of the program by monitoring performance metrics.
Participate in Oncology research and contribute to cancer discoveries and the clinical trials being conducted by investigators and doctors at City of Hope
Represents the COH in regional and national pharmacy meetings
Education and Mentoring
Provides drug information and education to health care providers in the specialist area of practice as needed
Performs patient education in collaboration with nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals.
Actively participates in the education and development of pharmacists, pharmacy residents and pharmacy students.
Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy residents and as a project advisor in area of expertise or as appropriate
Models professional behavior to orient, mentor, and train new clinical staff on patient care services, policy and procedures, and normal operating procedures
Professional Development
Committed to personal growth and development
Completes all assigned patient-care related or administrative projects and activities
Develops and presents educational activities to pharmacists, nursing staff, and the providers at least twice a year
Involvement in National or Local Professional Organizations such as ASHP, HOPA, ASCO, ASH, etc
Works toward achieving Oncology Board Certification
Seeks opportunities to participate in research activities, publishing, and presenting at local and national meetings
Maintains current knowledge, skills and competencies through involvement in professional continuing education activities.
Other Responsibilities
Demonstrates ability to work as a member of the team by exhibiting good interpersonal skills and remaining flexible and open minded
Participates in departmental meetings and other meetings as assigned by the Leadership
Mentors new pharmacists and consistently models service excellence
Obtains and maintains licenses and certificates required for job function and completes all assigned trainings in a timely manner
Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
Promotes collaboration and teamwork among all members of the healthcare team.
Maintains patient confidentiality in accordance to City of Hope standards
Maintains compliance with all rules and regulations governing the practice of Pharmacy and City of Hope policies and procedures
Performs other duties as assigned by the Leadership Team
Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:
Graduate of ACPE-accredited Pharmacy School
Pharmacy Practice Residency (PGY 1) and Specialty Residency (PGY2), or
At least 5 years of Equivalent experience as a clinical pharmacist in a desired area of specialty may substitute for the required residency, or
A PGY1 residency plus three years of experience as a clinical pharmacist in a desired area of specialty may substitute for the required PGY2 residency.
Required Certification/Licensure:
Current California Pharmacist License or to obtain license within 90 days of job entry.
BLS – American Heart Association or obtain within 3 months of hire date.
Board Certification in the area of specialty (if applicable) is required or must be obtained within 3 years of employment
Preferred education, experience and skills:
Pharm D preferred
Previous experience as a clinical pharmacist in the specified area for at least 5 years
Additional Information:
Full-time, day shift
As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.
City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
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