Pharmacist, Clinical Specialist - Solid Organ Transplant (Kidney)

Employment Status:

Full time

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Facility:

1906 Belleview Ave SE - Roanoke

Requisition Number:

R147715 Pharmacist, Clinical Specialist - Solid Organ Transplant (Kidney) (Open)

How You’Ll Help Transform Healthcare:

$30,000 Sign-On Bonus with Up to $10,000 for Relocation 

Carilion Clinic is a seven-hospital health system located in Southwest Virginia.  The position is primarily based out of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH), which is a 763-bed academic medical center affiliated with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.  As an academic facility with a Level 1 trauma center, this tertiary care institution has numerous post-graduate training programs, including multiple medical and surgical residencies and fellowships.

Carilion is launching an accredited solid organ transplant program, beginning with kidney transplant, and a pharmacy specialist will be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team to develop and build the program infrastructure.  The transplant pharmacist will play an integral role in the development and maintenance of treatment protocols, guidelines, and order sets for all phases of care.  The transplant pharmacist will influence formulary management to enhance the safety and efficacy of medications utilized in this population, while minimizing costs to help maintain the financial sustainability of the program.

After the infrastructure is established, the solid organ transplant pharmacist will assume direct patient care responsibilities throughout the entire continuum of care.  Involvement is expected starting from the initial patient selection by a multidisciplinary committee, to the ambulatory preoperative transplant clinic visits and counseling, through rounding on the inpatient service during the acute transplantation period, to follow-up clinic visits post-discharge to ensure ongoing medication adherence.  Optimizing the medication regimen throughout the phases of care is key to promoting allograft preservation.  This includes monitoring and adjusting immunosuppressive medications while also managing treatments for comorbid disease states.  The transplant pharmacist will also provide extensive medication education to patients and their families throughout transitions of care.  In the event of acute and/or chronic allograft injury or rejection, the transplant pharmacist will facilitate appropriate treatment selection through use of protocols tailored to the causes of rejection.

Long-term, this pharmacist will be expected to serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents, offering an elective rotation for solid organ transplant.  Opportunities exist for longitudinal projects including research, medication use evaluation, and process improvement initiatives

Qualified candidates must be a graduate of a College of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and must possess a current Virginia pharmacist license or be eligible for licensure. An ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency is required and specialized PGY2 residency training in Solid Organ Transplantation is preferred.  Applicants must possess excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills, as well as demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking and analysis. Must be able to effectively budget time, work efficiently and accurately, and follow procedures with minimum supervision.

The Specialty Pharmacist

• Dispenses medications and reviews and verifies medication orders for accuracy.
• Assures accurate delivery of medications in a timely manner.
• Oversees billing of specialty medications including, verification of insurance, and benefits for Specialty Pharmacy services – inclusive of new referrals and therapy changes, adjudication of claims and obtaining the initial authorization for medications from commercial insurers. 
• Oversees completion of prior authorizations, appeals on behalf of patients and providers, and oversee the dispensing of medications to patients in a timely manner.
• Works with patients, coordinators, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support liaisons and other clinical teams to ensure that required clinical documentation is obtained prior to acceptance onto service. 
• Documents encounters and pertinent information into the software systems used by Carilion and the specialty pharmacy. 
•  Provides counseling to patients and caregivers on disease states and medications used to treat them.
• Develops goals for care and actively works with patients towards meeting care goals.
• Works with patients and providers to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
• Works with pharmacy support liaisons (PSLs) who provide initial patient set up to establish account with the specialty program.
• Accesses care management documentation systems for data entry and to support the existing programs and processes by collecting information, utilizing appropriate department policies, procedures and guidelines specific to members’ eligibility, benefits and contracts.
• Performs intake of service requests from providers or members received electronically, or via telephone or fax.
• Engages with patients via telephone during the onboarding process and periodically throughout the course of the patient’s therapy.
• Improves patient service experience and may provision prior authorization services on behalf of patients needing high-cost medications.
• Conducts patient insurance, benefits and financial investigation and verification by directly communicating with patients. Completes initial and renewal prior authorization forms, negotiate authorization status with insurers, track status of medication approval, and when necessary, alert stakeholders of denials or nonresponse.
•  Assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure reimbursement of high-cost medications and maintenance of all accreditation standards.
•  Facilitates staff training and competency, education and practice advancement.
• Maintains a training and competency program for all staff that meets accreditation standards.
• Coordinates with Pharmacy leadership to develop training experiences/competencies.

What We Require:

• Education: Must be a graduate of a College of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
• Experience: ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency or 3 years of experience in clinical pharmacy.

Licensure, certification, and/or registration: License to practice Pharmacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia required within 90 days of hire. During the first 90 days of employment and the licensure application process, pharmacists without a valid license to practice pharmacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia may not perform duties restricted to a licensed pharmacist until the license is obtained. If the license is not obtained within 90 days of employment, the employee may be subject to separation from Carilion Clinic.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Must possess good leadership, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills. Must be able to effectively budget time, work efficiently and accurately, and follow procedures with minimum supervision. Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills. Work requires knowledge of general office equipment and procedures including computer and keyboarding skills.

This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by the incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description. 

Recruiter:

Dave Niven

Recruiter Email:

dlniven@carilionclinic.org

For more information, contact the HR Service Center at 1-800-599-2537.

Carilion Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color,  religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or veterans status. Carilion is a Drug-Free Workplace. For more information or for individuals with disabilities needing special assistance with our online application process contact Carilion HR Service Center at 800-599-2537, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on E-Verify: https://www.carilionclinic.org/eoe-e-verify-and-right-work-policies

Benefits, Pay And Well-Being At Carilion Clinic

Carilion understands the importance of prioritizing your well-being to help you develop and thrive.  That’s why we offer a well-rounded benefits package, and many perks and well-being resources to help you live a happy, healthy life – at work and when you’re away.

When you make your tomorrow with us, we’ll enhance your potential to realize the best in yourself. Below are benefits available to you when you join Carilion:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
• Employer Funded Pension Plan, vested after five years (Voluntary 403B)
• Paid Time Off (accrued from day one)
• Onsite fitness studios and discounts to our Carilion Wellness centers
• Access to our health and wellness app, Virgin Pulse
• Discounts on childcare
• Continued education and training