Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Internal Medicine

Position Overview

The Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist provides advanced clinical pharmacy services to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes for adult internal medicine/surgical patients at Rush University Medical Center. This role involves direct patient care in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams including physicians, nurses, and trainees. The specialist is responsible for comprehensive medication management, therapeutic drug monitoring, evidence-based recommendations, and participation in patient care rounds.

Location: Chicago, Illinois | Business Unit: Rush Medical Center | Department: Pharmacy

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0) | Shift: 8 Hr (7:00 AM - 3:30 PM)

Key Responsibilities

• Order verification, discharge counseling, projects, and education of healthcare professionals.
• Evaluate and verify Epic physician's orders for therapeutic appropriateness, dosing, dosage form, potential drug interactions, allergic reactions, and route/rate of administration.
• Clarify physicians' orders when necessary through direct and timely contact with the prescriber.
• Provide patient-specific pharmacotherapy recommendations and drug information to medical and nursing staff.
• Document clinical interventions using the pharmacy department’s current methodology.
• Perform daily review of pharmacy reports including pharmacokinetic monitoring and other patient-specific reports.
• Conduct monthly nursing unit inspections of medication storage areas.
• Supervise pharmacy technician staff to ensure coordination with established delivery schedules.
• Coordinate medication ordering, preparation, dispensing, and administration systems on a daily basis.
• Implement all drug use policies and formulary decisions of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee.
• Participate in adverse drug reaction and medication error reporting programs.
• Complete clinical and operational activities designated by departmental management (e.g., Pyxis inventory optimization, process improvement projects).
• Precept pharmacy students and residents (PGY1 and PGY2) in clinical and operational areas.
• Assess and evaluate medical and drug literature to compare therapeutic regimens and optimize drug treatments.
• Implement medication safety initiatives as determined by current departmental needs.
• Develop operational and clinical projects to address ongoing departmental needs.
• Serve as a liaison for collaborative research activities with other departments.
• Evaluate and monitor drug therapy relative to the needs of ambulatory care patients in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Actively participate in professional organizations.
• Rotational weekday evening, weekend, and holiday staffing is required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.
• Illinois Pharmacist License.
• Minimum of four years of Clinical Pharmacy experience OR PGY-1 residency completed within the last seven years, including Clinical/Specialty Pharmacy experience.
• Knowledge in intravenous admixture services, intravenous drug therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Ability to work effectively with others to provide safe and effective drug therapy.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and respond quickly to a wide range of issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• BLS Certification.
• ACLS Certification (or to be obtained upon hire).
• Board Certification by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.
• Doctor of Pharmacy degree and residency certificate.
• Experience and strong knowledge base in specialty drug therapies.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: $53.73 - $84.63 per hour. Salaries are determined by factors including education, experience, internal equity, and market data.
• Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0).
• Shift: 8 Hr (7:00 AM - 3:30 PM).
• Location: Chicago, Illinois.
• Benefits: Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits. Learn more at Rush Benefits.