Job Information
Houston Methodist System Medication Safety Specialist - Hybrid in Houston, Texas
Notes:
This position will work 2 days remote.
Selected candidate will be required to travel between Houston Methodist Hospitals in Greater Houston area to attend meetings and rounding, as needed.
At Houston Methodist, the System Medication Safety Specialist is an advanced clinical pharmacy practitioner and is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of the Houston Methodist Medication Safety Program for all entities. This position monitors, facilitates, and coordinates medication safety related activities, analyzes data and case reviews and/or established practices. The System Medication Safety Specialist provides and coordinates medication safety to the patient's medication risk and error analysis through medication use evaluations, policy development and continuous quality management. Additional responsibilities include coordinating intradepartmental quality management and performance improvement initiatives, actively participating in or leading departmental and medical staff medication safety initiatives, and providing guidance and facilitation for pharmacy implementation in the EHR and on-going for optimization of medication safety.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused approach that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department and system results. Collaborates with other health care professionals including physicians and their office staff, as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of Medication Safety strategic goals, effectively building and achieving consensus of Houston Methodist stakeholders throughout the system.
Develops educational materials and provides educational programs and in-services for the pharmacy physicians, nursing, patient safety staff and others in area of specialty practice and for Medication Safety related policies or procedures, including new employee and clinical orientations.
Serves as a preceptor for others involved in Medication Safety initiatives and activities, including interns from global as well as residency programs.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Chairs and serves on related task forces and committees including medical staff, as assigned.
Focuses on customer satisfaction and optimal performance, working collaboratively within the system of Quality and Patient Safety for all Houston Methodist entities. Manages internal and external resources to facilitate appropriate resource management of high risk cases and sentinel events, and achievement of acceptable outcomes.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Coordinates the Houston Methodist Medication Safety Program system-wide including the review and revision of Houston Methodist policies and procedures related to medication safety. Monitors, facilitates, and coordinates Medication Safety activities, analyzes data and case reviews and/or established practices.
Facilitates system-wide reporting of medication occurrences and drug reactions, working with hospitals and departments to minimize the potential for repeat occurrences. Prepares and presents reports of the clinical intervention, adverse drug reactions, and medication occurrence reporting programs to the appropriate committees and validates medication safety actions are effective. Prepares data for quarterly and annual reports for review by the Quality Review and Medical Affairs Committee and submission to the BRM as needed.
Coordinates medication use evaluations relevant to medication outcomes and/or safety and facilitates the presentation of these evaluations to the overall patient safety and quality leadership.
Assists in the development and periodic review and revision of evidenced based order sets for the EHR system.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Helps to maintain costs by achieving department objectives. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize tasks for self and for team members.
Assists the medical staff in identifying best practice therapy regimens, which safely and cost-effectively meet individual patient needs.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assists in the development and monitoring of clinical services integration.
Coordinates and participates in research projects which are in concert with the goals and objectives of HM. Promotes and assists research and publications efforts of the pharmacy and patient safety departments.
Contributes regularly to intra-departmental, interdepartmental, inter-hospital and professional publications. Gives presentations at local, state and national meetings. Active in professional organizations. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION
- Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Six years of experience in Medication Safety
Must possess work experience with comprehensive pharmacy services, including unit-dose drug distribution, intravenous admixture preparation, and nutrition support services
Must have teaching experience and experience in a leadership role or HM experience that demonstrates leadership abilities
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED
- PHRM - Pharmacist - State Licensure within 90 days
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, physicians, leadership and co-workers; capable of assuming responsibility for coordinating the activities of others, including medical staff
Must possess effective oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates a desire to contribute to the pharmaceutical literature
Demonstrates basic background knowledge of biostatistical techniques and research methodology in drug evaluation techniques
Demonstrates professional and technical competence in the critical selection, evaluation, and utilization of the pharmaceutical, medical, and scientific literature
Demonstrates an understanding of the basic principles of rational drug therapy and be able to train others in providing rational drug therapy
Possesses professional knowledge, database, and judgment to accurately dispense medications and appropriately intervene in monitoring drug therapy for patient age groups, neonate to geriatric
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
Uniform No
Scrubs No
Business professional Yes
Other (department approved) No
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call* No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. Houston Methodist consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, and seven community hospitals throughout the greater Houston area. Houston Methodist also includes an academic institute, a comprehensive residency program, a global business division, numerous physician practices and several free-standing emergency rooms and outpatient facilities. Overall, Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 employees and is supported by a wide variety of business functions that operate at the system level to help enable clinical departments to provide high quality patient care.
Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.