Pharmacy Clinical Specialist PRN

About the role

At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Clinical Specialist performs advanced clinical pharmacy duties to deliver optimal pharmacotherapy, ensure safe and cost‑effective medication use, and support pharmacy‑managed protocols, formulary processes, and medication reconciliation. The role includes daily reactive and proactive medication regimen reviews, education of pharmacists, nurses, and medical staff, and precepting pharmacy students and residents.

Schedule

This PRN position requires a minimum of eight shifts per month, with at least two weekend shifts. Weekday shifts run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Weekend shifts vary between 8:00 am–4:30 pm and 9:00 am–5:30 pm.

Responsibilities

• People essential functions: Promote a positive, team‑focused work environment; collaborate with healthcare professionals to achieve patient‑specific goals; serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students, PGY1/PGY2 residents, and mentor staff pharmacists.
• Service essential functions: Accurately process orders and verify drug appropriateness; document patient care activities and outcomes; provide drug information support; serve on medical staff committees.
• Quality/Safety essential functions: Manage drug therapy to maximize effectiveness and minimize adverse events; conduct proactive drug therapy reviews, patient counseling, transitions of care, and dosing protocol management; participate in medication use evaluations, adverse event reporting, and inventory management.
• Finance essential functions: Uphold formulary standards and promote pharmacoeconomically sound therapy; independently prioritize tasks for self and team.
• Growth/Innovation essential functions: Present in‑services and develop educational materials; pursue continuous learning and contribute to quality‑improvement programs; engage in research, scholarly dissemination, and publication.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of a pharmacy program approved by the credentialing body.
• Experience: Completion of an ASHP‑accredited PGY1 residency (or equivalent three years of pharmacy experience per residency year) required; PGY2 residency or fellowship preferred; minimum three years of clinical practice; meet HM standards for ASHP‑Qualified Residency Preceptor within one year of employment.
• Licenses & Certifications (required):
  • Texas Pharmacist license (or eligibility within 90 days)
  • Pharmacist Preceptor Certification (eligible within 90 days)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) or Instructor (AHA) (within 90 days)
• Licenses & Certifications (preferred):
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Instructor (AHA)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Instructor (AHA)
  • Intravenous (IV) certification or Board of Pharmacy Specialty certification

Knowledge and Abilities

• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking) for patient safety communication.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills across all healthcare team levels.
• Professional competence in drug selection, evaluation, utilization, and distribution for all patient populations.
• Application of evidence‑based guidelines, rational drug therapy principles, and innovative clinical practices.
• Experience with operational pharmacy practice, direct patient care, and collaboration with nursing and medical staff.
• Research competence and active credentialing with HM Academic Institute as applicable.

Supplemental Requirements

• Work attire: Business professional (no scrubs).
• On‑call: May be required during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather).
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston metropolitan area and occasionally outside the area.
• FLSA status: Non‑exempt.