Pharmacist - Medication Safety Officer

Job Description:

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

Candidate Requirements:

Required:
1. Has a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree from an ACPE-accredited university (may consider RPh with extensive work experience)
2. Possesses a valid CA pharmacist's license (maintain current at all times)
3. Has a minimum of two (2) years of hospital pharmacy experience, equivalent clinical practice experience such as PGY1 residency, medication safety related role, or leadership/management role.
4. Current American Heart Association BLS or within 30 days of hire (maintain current at all times)
Preferred:
1. PGY2 Residency in Medication Safety, Pharmacy Administration, Pharmacy Informatics, or related specialty.
2. Experience with medication event reporting systems (e.g., RL6, MIDAS, Quantros).
3. Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma, performance improvement tools, and safety science principles.
4. Strong communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project management skills.
5. Proficient with Cerner, Omnicell, and familiar with Microsoft applications ie: Word, Excel

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