Pharmacy Specialist - Mission Cancer + Blood (Des Moines)

Mission Cancer + Blood, part of University of Iowa Health Care is seeking a Pharmacy Specialist to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care, primarily supporting patients at the Mission Cancer + Blood, part of University of Iowa Health Care infusion centers and clinics. It will serve as the Pharmacist-In-Charge and provide functional supervision of technician and support staff and provide clinical support, medication order review and verification, education, and monitoring for patients receiving therapy at the infusion center. It will also provide remote clinical and operational pharmacy services for other offsite locations. This pharmacist position is located in the Des Moines, Iowa area location(s) and may include weekend and holiday hours on a rotating basis.
 

Duties To Include:

Patient Care-Participating in the Provision of Pharmaceutical Care: The pharmacist provides care to patients by:
•    Reviewing medication orders, monitoring therapy, and evaluating chemotherapy protocols to ensure appropriateness.
•    Providing patient education on chemotherapy regimens, supportive care medications and appropriate medication use.
•    Preparing, checking and dispensing medications, including sterile compounds and hazardous drugs.
•    Utilizing IV workflow technology to inspect and verify compounded sterile products.
•    Working with a multidisciplinary team to address patient needs and prevent adverse drug events.
•    Documenting all patient care activities and interventions in the electronic medical record.
•    Adherence to all regulatory requirements, including applicable state and federal regulations, and accreditation standards, ensuring compliance at all times. This includes appropriate upkeep of continuing education, university compliances, and department competencies.

Facilitates Operation Initiatives Which Lead to Enhance Patient Care Services: The pharmacist must assume the role of patient advocate for all issues associated with drug therapy.  Participation in hospital-wide programs intended to improve care (e.g., the Medication Use Evaluation Program and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program) serves as a valuable quality-of-service surveillance tool and promotes healthcare provider education. This may include:
•    Addressing medication system issues and ensuring medication safety, which may require remote review, data analysis and collaboration with healthcare teams.
•    Participating in hospital-wide quality programs and audits.
•    Supporting medication-related problem-solving and prescriber education through in-person and/or virtual consultations.
•    Contributing to the development of protocols related to appropriate prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring of medications administered in the infusion suite or therapy that is prescribed to the patient for home use.
•    Supporting sterile compounding operations by providing functional supervision of staff that work in and access the compounding area(s)

Provide Educational Services: An important responsibility of the pharmacist is the education of students, fellow staff, other healthcare providers, and patients about drugs and their appropriate use.  This may include:
•    Serving as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.
•    Educating staff, healthcare teams, and patients about medication use.
•    Presenting educational sessions and mentoring other pharmacists

Participates in Research: The pharmacist participates in research activities as appropriate, including providing support for Investigational Drug Service prescriptions and orders.  Precepting pharmacy resident research and the presentation and/or publication of research findings are encouraged.

• Other: 
• •    Complete all required competencies and educational requirements regardless of work setting.
• •    Performs other duties as assigned, applicable to work setting desired workflow.

Joining University of Iowa Health Care means becoming part of a world-class academic health system that offers a mission you can believe in, resources and support you need to excel, and a community where your impact is felt every day. We’re providing patient care with expertise and compassion, advancing groundbreaking research, and teaching and training tomorrow’s health care professionals. Together, we’re changing medicine and changing lives across Iowa and beyond.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, generous leave policies, 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to our UI Health Care specialists and care teams.

Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Enjoy a rich quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
As part of the Hawkeye community, you’ll find a balance of career fulfillment and quality of life. Join us in working together to make all of Iowa better

Percent of Time: 100%
Location: Des Moines, IA Mission, Cancer & Blood
Pay Grade: 6B https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/guide-pay-plans
 

Benefits Highlights:
•    Regular salaried position located in Des Moines, Iowa
•    Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
•    For more information about Why Iowa?, click here
 

• Education Requirements
• •    Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree or a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy

Required Qualification
•    Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency OR 2 years’ experience in a complex multi-disciplinary healthcare environment.
•    Current licensure in good standing by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is required upon hire. 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required along with strong interpersonal skills.
•    Committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment.
•    Job related experience with and/or commitment to service excellence.
 

• Desirable Qualifications 
• •    Oncology experience is desirable.
• •    Completion of ASHP-accredited PGY2 Oncology residency is highly desirable.
• •    Board certification in oncology is highly desirable.
• •    Job-related experience with sterile compounding, USP 797, and USP 800 is desirable.
• •    Immunization certification is desirable.
• •    Experience providing customer service in a professional manner.

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. 
 

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. 
 

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

References: Five professional references will be requested and required at a later step in the recruitment process
 

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. 
 

With additional questions, please reach out to Brenna Ballo (brenna-ballo@uiowa.edu)