Pharmacy Informatics Specialist ($12,000 sign-on for full-time new hire)

About the role

The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist collaborates with pharmacy leaders, patient care teams, IT, and other Informatics teams to develop, implement, and coordinate information system policies and procedures. They also participate in organizational committees and serve as an expert resource for designing and developing pharmacy information systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with pharmacy leaders, patient care teams, and IT to develop and maintain pharmacy information systems.
• Participate in and provide clinical input during the review, design, development/build, testing, validation, and implementation of pharmacy applications systems.
• Maintain and optimize pharmacy information systems to ensure they function correctly and meet organizational needs.
• Monitor and oversee the performance of pharmacy information systems, performing validation on changes, upgrades, or modifications.
• Support the enhancement of pharmacy information systems and end-user optimization, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and clinical best practices.
• Test, train, and adopt new system upgrades and maintenance of pharmacy-dependent components, focusing on CPOE, MAR, smart pumps libraries, dose range checking, medication safety rules, outpatient prescription process, IV Prep, TPN software, ADM, etc.
• Communicate with providers and clinical staff during downtime of critical systems, providing support and troubleshooting.
• Develop and maintain a strong, effective working relationship with pharmacy leaders and staff, IT staff, and other Informatics teams.
• Facilitate workflow and process improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Provide training materials and support for pharmacy leadership and staff, ensuring the adoption of EHR functionality and clinical workflows.
• Participate in informatics on-call coverage to support medication-related processes.
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary committees focused on improving medication management, including OMT, Operational Change Management, and other IT solutions.
• Assist with process improvement activities, on-site training, and IT-related patient safety opportunities, such as RCA and FMEA team participation, TJC readiness assistance, updates to IV pump safety libraries, and medication safety rule development.
• Ensure all pharmacy-related changes are communicated to the pharmacy leadership team in a timely manner.
• Perform compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook, adhering to DCH Behavioral Standards and maintaining performance, patient, and employee satisfaction.
• Manage multiple projects with strong prioritization skills, ensuring the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.

Requirements

• Graduate of a school of pharmacy with a BS or PharmD degree and licensed in the State of Alabama by reciprocity or examination.
• Fully licensed in Alabama within 60 days of hire.
• Controlled substances certificate valid in the State of Alabama for the current year.
• 2 years or more of experience in pharmacy practice, including 1 year in a hospital pharmacy setting or completion of a PGY1/PGY2 program within the past 12 months.
• Previous participation and/or leadership in a hospital committee preferred.
• Strong understanding of clinical workflow processes and performance improvements to support clinical practices.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed with excellent organization, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in using Meditech and/or previous experience in Pharmacy Informatics is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects with strong prioritizing skills.
• Evidence of commitment to enhance professional growth and development through participation in continued educational programs, current literature, meetings, and trainings.
• Strong critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office - basic skills preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Pharmacy Informatics or related field preferred.
• ASHP Informatics certification required within 18 months for any Pharmacy Informatics Specialist hired prior to November 17, 2023.
• ASHP Informatics certification required within 2 years of hire for any Pharmacy Informatics Specialist hired after November 17, 2023.