Critical Care Pharmacist

POSITION PURPOSE

• Supports critical care team by managing critical care medication dosing and monitoring, assisting in medical emergencies and acting as a medication expert for the team. Critical care pharmacists are trained in managing medication therapy for critically ill patients requiring advance monitoring devices like Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), ventilators, advanced cardiac monitoring devices and bypass. Critical care pharmacists serve as medication information experts for the other care teams and patients.   
   
• Provides pharmaceutical services through a wide range of professional and technical activities necessary to serve the needs of the patients, physicians, hospital staff, and the community. Duties include medication order verification, supervising departmental technical personnel activities, provision of clinical services and drug information, involvement in quality assurance and performance improvement programs, inventory control, sterile compounding, medication dispensing, drug repackaging and involvement in educational activities.

SITE(S)

• Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital and Froedtert South Clinics

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 1-2 years of Critical Care staffing experience required

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Wisconsin Pharmacist License
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months
• Board Certification in Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP) preferred

SUPERVISES

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Experience in Critical Care units, emergency medicine required
• ASHP – accredited pharmacy residency (PGY1 or PGY2 in Critical Care) preferred

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Provides medication order verification and clinical services. These functions include patient monitoring, admission history, and active involvement on the Code teams.
2. Work includes providing direct supervision of interns, technicians, and student work activities. These include dispensing, sterile products preparation, inventory control, repackaging, and providing professional checking for these processes.
3. Responsible for the control, dispensing, and maintenance of all medication used within the hospital. Can perform or assist in departmental tasks that are associated with these procedures.
4. Participates in departmental or system programs that work towards quality assurance and performing improvement. Reports adverse drug reactions and medication events.
5. Demonstrates the ability to access, enter, and adjust patient information in the electronic health record.

Patient Care:

• Participating in multi-disciplinary patient care rounds to develop and implement individualized medication plans
• Review and evaluate medication orders for appropriateness, accuracy, and safety
• Monitor patient progress, including therapeutic outcomes, adverse drug reactions, and culture results, laboratory tests and make necessary recommendations
• Attend medical and surgical emergencies and codes in ICU
• Document clinical pharmacy activities as appropriate in the medical record or other systems
   

Clinical Expertise:

• Deliver comprehensive drug information and education to healthcare staff and patients regarding the use of medications in critical care units.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary clinicians and healthcare providers to design and implement innovative disease management programs and clinical pharmacy services.
• Provide clinical leadership in critical care pharmacy by mentoring, coaching, and serving as a role model for pharmacists in the department. Actively identify opportunities for mentorship and education, fostering a constructive environment that promotes learning and professional development

Medication therapy Management:

• Develop and maintain critical care pharmacy protocols, guidelines, and pathways
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, medication safety protocols, and regulatory standards

Education and Training

• Maintain ACLS certification
• Board certification and/or continue education in critical care to stay updated on new clinical developments
• Contributing to student training experiences for pharmacy student rotations as assigned
• Conduct in-service education sessions and presentations for healthcare staff

Quality Improvement

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing medication management practices and utilization
• Analyze medication usage data to identify trends and implement changes for improved patient care and cost effectiveness
• Proactively identify operational and workflow related issues and mitigation strategies

Problem Solving:

• Thoroughly resolves problems with appropriate and direct communication to all pertinent staff in a clear and concise manner
• Problem solving will often go beyond patient-specific issues, and may require participation in interdisciplinary teams or revising hospital or departmental policy, procedures or treatment guidelines
• Contacts supervisor for assistance when solution is beyond his/her expertise or authority

Froedtert South is a comprehensive regional healthcare system that has served southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois communities for more than 100 years. Froedtert South provides services primarily through the Froedtert Kenosha Hospital and the Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital and several other clinic locations.

Froedtert South is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Froedtert South does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.