Pharmacist
Desert Regional Medical Center
Palm Springs, CA
5x8 hrs

Shift: Days

Job type: Full Time

Hours: 8HR Dayshift/ 40HRS Per Week

GENERAL DUTIES:

The Medication Safety Officer (MSO) is a detail-oriented pharmacist who promotes safe and high-quality medication use across the acute care setting. MSO Pharmacist plays a vital role in identifying system vulnerabilities, driving performance improvement initiatives, and collaborating closely with frontline clinicians to enhance patient safety. MSO Pharmacist serves as a clinical and operational resource for medication-related safety practices while leading data analysis, event review, and the development of system-wide safety strategies.  Furthermore, MSO Pharmacist uses critical thinking skills and exercises independent decision-making as needed for the provision of safe and rational medication therapy.  In addition, the MSO Pharmacist works to uphold all department-related policies and procedures with close attention to medication management duties mandated by the Joint Commission and applicable regulations.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES:    

Medication Safety & Quality Improvement
•    Leads root cause analyses, failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs), and medication event investigations.
•    Monitors and trends medication safety data using internal and external reporting systems.
•    Identifies at-risk processes and implements strategies to reduce medication errors and adverse drug events.
•    Works closely with the pharmacy director and managers, in any capacity, to facilitate medication safety-related initiatives. 
•    Analyzes utilization metrics, safety trends, and performance indicators.
•    Designs and implements an appropriate pharmacotherapeutic plan to address the identified problem(s).
•    Oversees the Medication Safety Committee and revises Medication Error Reduction Plan (MERP) dashboard based on medication error trends.

Clinical & Operational Collaboration
•    Effectively communicates with colleagues, physicians, nurses, hospital leadership, and other members of the healthcare team to optimize medication-use workflows and improve patient safety.
•    Evaluates and updates ordersets, smart pump libraries, automated dispensing cabinet configurations, and EHR decision support when deemed appropriate.
•    Collaborates with pharmacy informatics on implementing and validating medication-use technology.
•    Supports safe transitions of care and implements best practices for high-risk medications.
•    Maintains knowledge of hospital pharmacy operations to include but not limited inventory and drug shortages. 
•    Demonstrates independent leadership and professionalism with respect to the oversight of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and pharmacy interns. Contributes to department research/project for both pharmacy students and residents.
•    Staffs main pharmacy at a minimum of two (2) shifts per month, or as needed at the discretion of the pharmacy director or manager.

Policy, Education & Compliance
•    Develops and updates medication safety policies, protocols, guidelines, and standardized procedures.
•    Provides education and training to clinical staff on safe medication practices.
•    Ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, USP, ISMP, California Board of Pharmacy, and other regulatory/benchmarking standards.
•    Actively contributes to the value of The Pharmacy Team by helping peers and co-workers to improve services with education, comments, suggestions, and a positive attitude.