Job Summary:

The Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety Specialist will perform the following activities: Lead the implementation and ongoing quality improvement initiatives regarding medication safety practices within the regional Pharmacy Department. Analyze, track, trend and prepare reports for medication event reports and near miss data.Provide support to the Medication Safety Committee and the Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Committee by assisting with initiatives and to review and edit documents as needed. Execute regular medication safety assessments in the clinics and pharmacies of KPNW and provide support to personnel by assisting in the clinic medication safety assessments. Assist with achieving patient safety goals and initiatives. Prepare for and assist to complete outside agency accreditation surveys. Observe and document work environments to report adherence to policy and procedures. Collaborate with Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety Coordinator, pharmacy managers and staff, Quality Resource Management, Patient Safety Committee, Regional Medication Safety Committee, Pharmacy Medication Safety Committee, Nursing Practice Committee, Drug Utilization Initiative Team and other groups as needed to improve quality and medication safety. The Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety Specialist will report directly to the Director of Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Quality Improvement: Work closely with pharmacy personnel to complete all compliance and time requirements necessary to maintain safety and accreditation. Assist with the preparation for outside agency inspections, e.g.; NCQA, MDQR, The Joint Commission. Develop, conduct and/or coordinate quarterly Medication Safety Assessments for pharmacy and clinical areas. Assist with research and preparation of reports related to patient safety. Evaluate medication safety practices and implement interdisciplinary practice improvements. Effectively and efficiently work with interdisciplinary staff to implement quality improvement and medication safety initiatives. Facilitate Root Cause Analysis and Failure Modes Effects Analysis on issues identified for evaluation/education. Assess compliance with medication safety initiatives and policies and procedures. Assist in the coordination and implementation of the Patient Safety Reporting System and support a Blame Free Reporting culture. Analyze, track, trend and report medication events from patient safety reporting systems. Embrace, practice and promote the tenants of Just Culture in dealing with all confidential information regarding personnel involvement. Design and develop staff and patient educational materials to promote safe medication practices.

• Project Management: Assist with the completion of medication safety assessments in the clinical modules and pharmacies. Prepare, review and approve documents necessary for design, purchase of equipment and system changes related to medication safety. Responsible for designs and decisions in the preparation of projects from inception to completion. Oversee a wide variety of services requiring a high degree of skill in office methods and functions. Facilitate special department projects as required. Encourage and engage staff in promoting medication safety practices. Serve as a member of the Medication Safety Committee and other committees and workgroups with a focus on medication safety. Assist in the development, communication and staff education of medication safety initiatives.

• People, Relationships and Communications: Develop and maintain a collaborative and effective working relationship with staff and managers in a variety of practice settings. Assist in the development and presentation of staff in-service education regarding medication safety to enhance quality of care. Provide complete and concise reports related to patient and/or medication safety. Demonstrate familiarity with healthcare administration and the quality improvement process.

• Perform other job duties as assigned.

  Basic Qualifications:

  Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of working experience in health care including Pharmacy and Administration.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in quality.

  Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

  License, Certification, Registration

• Licensed Pharmacy Technicians (in the state where care is provided)

  Additional Requirements:

• Proven experience handling difficult encounters and/or service breakdowns.

• Demonstrated project management experience.

• Ability to adapt quickly to challenging and changing environments.

• Ability to work with interdisciplinary groups to affect a patient safety focused outcome.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervising personnel, co-workers, subordinates, employees and representatives from outside service/agencies.

• Ability to train, give and receive instructions.

• Proficient in Lotus Notes; Windows; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Access; SABA and all electronic systems utilized in the regional pharmacies.

• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, including data manipulation, review and presentation.

• Ability to act independently with minimal supervision.

• Willing to travel 25% of the time within the region.

• Proven research capabilities utilizing written and computer reference materials, including facility library reference materials, professional references, Intranet and Internet sites and outside reference facilities.

  Preferred Qualifications:

• Practice experience to include knowledge of IV admixture, compounding, technician functions and cashiering in the ambulatory care pharmacy.

• Able to facilitate Root Cause Analysis and Failure Modes Effects Analysis on issues identified for evaluation/education.

• Able to handle stress relative to rush projects and meeting deadlines, work under pressure in a highly productive office, and set priorities.

• Able to support implementation of departmental and organizational process changes, policies and procedures, and audits.

COMPANY: KAISER

TITLE: Pharmacy Quality Specialist

LOCATION: Portland, Oregon

REQNUMBER: 1272306

External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran, or disability status.