Position Objective:

In collaboration with the key stakeholders, the Medication Safety Specialist will works with members of the healthcare team to assess the medication management system, design solutions to system failures and institute practice changes. This position will manage data reporting and information related to medication safety, contribute to AAMC's cultural transformation into that of a culture of safety and non-punitive actions, develop AAMC's profile and reputation in the area of medication safety, contribute to the knowledge base in the areas of medication safety, develop an expertise and serve as the pharmacy expert to achieve compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) standards regarding medication management, and be available for other project work as needed.

Essential Job Duties:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Serves as the subject matter expert on medication safety and safety improvement methodologies. Provide formal and informal education to leadership and staff. When appropriate, attend medication- related sentinel event and root cause analysis meetings across the organization. As assigned, chairs key committees functioning to lead medication safety (e.g. Medication Safety Committee, Medication Diversion Committee). As assigned, serve on standing committees and councils that influence medication safety, such as: P&T Committee, Patient Safety Committee, Quality Council, Clinical Informatics Committee, and others as needed.Serves as the pharmacy department expert and works to achieve organizational compliance with the TJC Standards regarding Medication Management. Works in concert with the Director of Pharmacy, Sr, Director of Pharmacy, VP for Quality and Patient Safety, and other organizational leaders to develop Action Plans to achieve TJC compliance.Utilizing event reporting data (i.e. hotline calls, event reporting, pharmacy intervention data, etc.), published best practices standards, and published events or recommendations, identifies opportunities for practice changes in medication management systems to improve patient safety. Assist the Director of Pharmacy, Nursing Leadership, and Chief Quality And Patient Safety Officer in setting priorities for improvement activities and decisions regarding reporting tools and methodologies. Provide data back to pertinent departments/staff. Assist with reporting to external customers.Develops standards to minimize the potential for medication errors associated with medication labeling, packaging, nomenclature, storage, standardization, preparation, distribution, dispensing and administration.Works with pharmacy, nursing, anesthesiology, and other pertinent clinical departments to ensure medications are stored, prescribed, transcribed, prepared, dispensed and administered in a physical environment reflecting careful consideration of the principles of human factors engineering.Designs, implements, collects, and analyzes data pertaining to medication safety from entities throughout AAMC.Works to maintain organizational compliance with Unites States Pharmacopeia standards.Contributes to the knowledge base in the area of medication safety.  Identifies and pursues opportunities for applied research in the area of medication safety.Further develops AAMC 's profile and reputation in the areas of medication safety. Represent AAMC at relevant external meetings and public relations events to highlight AAMC success stories relating to medication safety.In a staff capacity: Reviews written medication orders and prescriptions to determine appropriate ingredients, strength, and dosage. Reviews the medication selected relative to potential allergies, food/drug interactions, route of administration, toxicity, and adverse drug reactions with other medications ordered. Contacts the prescriber, as appropriate, to clarify orders and/or make recommendations concerning alternate therapies. Prepares and/or supervises technical staff in the preparation of intravenous admixture solutions, including parenteral nutrition formulations and chemotherapeutic agents, using acceptable aseptic technique. Provides drug information to patients, physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff where appropriate and upon request. Coordinates and communicates improvements in interdepartmental policies and procedures which support the Medical Center's strategic goals. Maintains accurate records as required by departmental policies and procedures and/or federal and state board regulations. Supervises the daily operational duties in the dispensing area to which assigned, including assisting and assigning, closely monitoring and reviewing the work of Pharmacy Technicians, to assure accurate and timely delivery of medications.

Educational/Experience Requirements:

The minimum level of education and experience for this position includes:

A Doctor of Pharmacy or Bachelor’s of Science in Pharmacy degree with equivalent experience from an accredited School of Pharmacy is required.A Ph.D. in Pharmacy Practice is also acceptable. Five years’ experience in the area of staff hospital pharmacist and/or clinical pharmacy preferred.Demonstrated experience in the area of medication safety, excellent computer skills, strong oral and written communication skills.Experience with EPIC is preferred.

Required License/Certifications:

Current Maryland State license as a pharmacist.

Working Conditions, Equipment, Physical Demands:

There is a reasonable expectation that employees in this position will not be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.

Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

There is reasonable expectation that employees in this position will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.