Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, System Antimicrobial Stewardship

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, System Antimicrobial Stewardship

Rush University Medical Center is seeking a dedicated and experienced Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for System Antimicrobial Stewardship. This vital role is based in Chicago, Illinois, within the Rush Medical Center business unit and will primarily focus on enhancing patient care through effective antimicrobial stewardship across the Rush University Health System.

Position Summary

The System Antimicrobial Stewardship – Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (ASP-ID) serves as a clinical pharmacy specialist and leader, responsible for the development, implementation, and meticulous documentation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) throughout Rush University Health System (Rush). This includes delivering multidisciplinary education on the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials, formulating and enacting comprehensive guidelines, and fostering collaboration with a diverse group of clinicians, administrators, and support staff across the system. The specialist will also be tasked with analyzing key metrics for antimicrobial utilization to ensure compliance with both new and existing CDC and Joint Commission standards. This ASP-ID pharmacist will be instrumental in developing and coordinating innovative clinical pharmacy programs across all RUSH sites, actively engaging in scholarly and research activities, and participating in interdisciplinary teaching. To bolster the effectiveness of ASP initiatives, the ASP-ID pharmacist will maintain on-site service coverage, including rounding with inpatient Infectious Disease teams. Furthermore, this role is a key faculty member in postgraduate pharmacy training programs and affiliated colleges of pharmacy, with a specific focus on supporting ASP efforts at Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center.

Essential Clinical Duties And Responsibilities Of The ASP-ID Pharmacist

• Develops critical metrics for the robust performance and ongoing maintenance of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.
• Participates actively in providing pharmaceutical patient care through ASP staffing and clinical rounds.
• Engages in the approval process for restricted and protected antimicrobials.
• Contributes to ASP-coordinated education initiatives for healthcare professionals across all RUSH sites and external partners.
• Serves as an essential liaison to other healthcare providers within the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.
• Coordinates the implementation of identified ASP initiatives while assisting in maintaining all relevant required regulatory standards.
• Assists with the strategic implementation of Department of Pharmacy and RUSH quality improvement initiatives.
• Serves as a core preceptor for postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residents and students.
• Accurately documents clinical interventions in EPIC.
• Participates in the Antimicrobial Stewardship Subcommittee of the System Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Completes medication use evaluations (MUE) and new drug and therapeutic class reviews for Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) as assigned.
• Provides vital pharmacy representation in multidisciplinary committees, whenever appropriate.

Additional Clinical/Operational Responsibilities Include

• Evaluates, clarifies, and verifies EPIC orders for therapeutic appropriateness, as necessary.
• Serves as a content expert for Infectious Disease related drug shortages.
• Actively participates in safety event (SE) reporting.
• Facilitates patient medication reconciliation and discharge teaching when requested.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of medical center and departmental policies and procedures.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.
• Demonstrated knowledge in intravenous admixture services, intravenous drug therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Possession of an active Illinois Pharmacist License.
• Minimum of four years of Clinical Pharmacy experience OR completion of a PGY1 residency within the last seven years, which includes relevant Clinical / Specialty Pharmacy experience.
• Must possess the ability to work effectively with others to provide safe and effective drug therapy.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the capacity to work independently and swiftly in responding to and resolving a wide range of issues.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy.
• Completion of a PGY2 pharmacy residency in Infectious Disease and/or an Infectious Disease focused Fellowship.
• Board Certification in Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy prior to or within 18 months of hire (required within 12 months of hire).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary stakeholders, strong clinical acumen, a deep understanding of medical literature, and the capacity to drive large-scale projects forward.

Key skills/competency

• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Guideline Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Medication Use Evaluation
• Pharmacy Education
• EPIC EHR
• Patient Safety