Pharmacist Specialist V - Infectious Diseases - 132139

The Pharmacist 5 in Infectious Diseases (ID) is a recognized organization-wide expert who has significant impact and influence on organizational policy and program development, especially to antimicrobial stewardship. Primary roles of the pharmacist in this setting include: antimicrobial stewardship and optimization of antimicrobial therapies in collaboration with infectious disease teams, serving in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, including microbiology and infection control. They are the experts on drug therapy and the primary health professionals who optimize use of medication for the benefit of the patients. The pharmacist will ensure adherence to regulatory and fiscal requirements, and direct programs with organization-wide impact that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources.

With a multidisciplinary team including physicians and nurses, the pharmacist will oversee antimicrobial use throughout UC San Diego Health inpatient facilities and assist in outpatient settings including the infusion center. This requires the application of advanced intensive knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship therapy gained through education and specific training in ID based on significant experience in management of patients in acute and ambulatory care settings. The antimicrobial stewardship team provides oversight of the restricted antimicrobial formulary which includes high cost, high toxicity, broad-spectrum, and on shortage drugs that are regularly procured and available at UCSDH. The pharmacist is the recognized professional authority in drug therapy and antimicrobial stewardship as it relates to the management and optimization of varying pharmacotherapy as related to each patient's disease state. They will advise physicians and other members of the team on determining the best possible treatments for specific diseases and will stay current on regulations, treatments, and developments in research and design. This requires collaboration on various practice guidelines and regularly leading projects of critical importance to the organization involving antimicrobials in areas including sepsis, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, pneumonia, C. difficile treatment, etc. The pharmacist will collaborate on multidisciplinary quality improvement projects and with multiple ID groups such as Infection Prevention. Clinical ID consultation will be patient specific and as requested. The pharmacist will also partner with the medication process team on the electronic medical record (EMR) in various aspects such as ordering optimization and order set updates and review.

The pharmacist in this role will also help to meet educational needs of patients, healthcare team, and learners. Clinical training to learners such as students and residents (PGY1 and PGY2) will be required as the department conducts a PGY2 ID Residency Program as well as other programs.

• Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm D) or equivalent training.

• One of the following: Successful completion of a PGY2 specialty residency in the area of specialization + one (1) year of relevant practice; Successful completion of a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency + four (4) years of relevant practice; or seven (7) years of dedicated practice if there is no advanced pharmacy training.

• Registered Pharmacist - issued by the state of California (RPH).

• Board Certification in relevant specialty practice.

• Must have broad hospital therapeutics and clinical pharmacy expertise.

• Strong presentation experience.

• Demonstrated record of committee/team participation.

• Excellent analytical experience working with clinical data.

• Experience working in a large, complex, healthcare provider organization.

• Documented record of improvement in and contributions to the respective area of specialty practice through CQI projects, participation in nursing in-services, protocol development, etc.
• Ongoing appointments to appropriate drug policy and other committees of the organization.
• A sustained record of contributing to the total body of knowledge in the specialty area of pharmacy practice annually through (1) research, (2) publications in professional journals, and/or (3) presentations at professional meetings.
• Serving regularly as a reviewer of contributed papers or manuscripts submitted for publication on topics related to the specialty practice.
• Proven leadership in advancing the profession of pharmacy through active service in professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels
• Demonstrated a commitment to teaching (e.g. through preceptorship, education of medical center staff through clinical forums, grand rounds, etc.)
• Postgraduate residency training highly desired (PGY1 experience or equivalent clinical experience), PGY2 highly preferred.
• Clinical pharmacist experience in the inpatient setting highly desired.
• Leadership experience in either a committee or work team.
• Medication-use evaluation experience.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.