Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Shared Faculty Position with NEOMED)

Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Shared Faculty Position with NEOMED)

Location: UH Cleveland Medical Center (UH CMC), Cleveland, Ohio

Overview

UH Cleveland Medical Center (UH CMC) is seeking a highly motivated Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to join our pharmacy team. This shared faculty position with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) offers the opportunity to serve as a subject matter expert in geriatric pharmacotherapy while providing comprehensive medication management across inpatient and ambulatory geriatrics settings. The position combines direct patient care, teaching, research, and service to advance the care of older adults at UH Cleveland Medical Center.

The Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will work collaboratively with geriatricians, advanced practice providers, nurses, care coordinators, social workers, and other interdisciplinary team members to optimize medication use in older adults. The specialist will contribute to initiatives supporting CMS Age-Friendly Health System Standards, improve medication-related outcomes, and advance geriatric pharmacy practice through education, scholarship, and quality improvement activities.

Position Summary

As a core member of the geriatrics team, the Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will:

• Serve as the pharmacotherapy expert for geriatric patients across inpatient and ambulatory care settings.
• Participate in daily interdisciplinary rounds with the inpatient Geriatrics Consult Service.
• Provide comprehensive medication management and medication optimization services for patients seen in the ambulatory Geriatrics Clinic.
• Collaborate with providers and interdisciplinary teams to reduce medication-related risks and improve outcomes in older adults.
• Lead and support initiatives aligned with CMS Age-Friendly Health System standards, including medication stewardship activities focused on the “4Ms” framework.
• Serve as a drug information resource for healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers regarding geriatric pharmacotherapy.
• Participate in multidisciplinary committees, quality improvement initiatives, and health system projects related to the care of older adults.
• Contribute to teaching, research, and scholarly activities through the shared faculty appointment with NEOMED.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in inpatient geriatrics consult rounds and provide evidence-based pharmacotherapy recommendations.
• Conduct comprehensive medication reviews and medication reconciliation for hospitalized and ambulatory geriatric patients.
• Identify, prevent, and resolve medication-related problems including adverse drug events, polypharmacy, drug interactions, inappropriate medication use, and medication adherence challenges.
• Assist in the development and implementation of protocols, guidelines, and quality initiatives related to geriatric medication management.
• Support Age-Friendly Health System initiatives and performance metrics related to medication optimization in older adults.
• Provide patient and caregiver education regarding medications, disease states, and transitions of care.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and care coordinators to develop individualized care plans.
• Document clinical interventions and outcomes in the electronic medical record.
• Serve as a resource and educator for pharmacists and healthcare providers throughout the health system.
• Participate in departmental, institutional, and multidisciplinary committees focused on quality, safety, and geriatric care.

Teaching and Research Opportunities

This shared faculty position offers extensive opportunities to:

• Precept Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students.
• Precept PGY1 Pharmacy Residents and PGY2 residents across applicable specialty areas.
• Develop and deliver educational programs for pharmacy learners, residents, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in clinical research, quality improvement projects, and scholarly publication activities.
• Collaborate with faculty at Northeast Ohio Medical University to advance geriatric education, patient care, and research initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of innovative models of care for older adults across the continuum of care.

About UH Cleveland Medical Center

UH Cleveland Medical Center is a 1,000+ bed quaternary care, Level I Trauma Academic Medical Center located in Cleveland's historic University Circle district. The institution supports a robust clinical pharmacy specialist program with expertise in Medical ICU, Cardiac ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU, Neuro ICU, Trauma ICU, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Solid Organ Transplant, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Psychiatry, Women's Health, and other specialty areas.

As part of our progressive pharmacy department, the Geriatrics Clinical Pharmacy Specialist will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the University Hospitals Health System while helping advance innovative patient care initiatives and clinical pharmacy practice for older adults.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of older adults across inpatient and ambulatory settings.
• Join a collaborative academic medical center committed to excellence in patient care, education, and innovation.
• Help advance Age-Friendly Health System initiatives and improve medication-related outcomes in a growing geriatric population.
• Access robust opportunities for professional growth, teaching, leadership, scholarship, and research.
• Hold a shared faculty appointment with Northeast Ohio Medical University.
• Work within a progressive pharmacy department committed to expanding clinical pharmacy practice and optimizing patient care.

Education

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) required.

• Completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency (Preferred)

• Completion of a PGY2 Geriatric Pharmacy Residency preferred, or equivalent advanced training and experience in geriatrics.

Experience

• Less than 1 year Experience as a pharmacist with training in drug therapy of diseases including the knowledge and application of clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and pharmaceutics to patients, training in cost analysis/cost evaluation techniques (Preferred)
• Advanced training or experience in geriatric pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care, internal medicine, or related practice areas.
• Experience working as part of interdisciplinary healthcare teams preferred.
• Experience in medication optimization, polypharmacy management, and care of older adults preferred.
• Teaching, precepting, and quality improvement experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong clinical knowledge of geriatric pharmacotherapy and age-related medication considerations.
• Expertise in evaluating and managing polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, and medication-related adverse events.
• Knowledge of Age-Friendly Health System principles and geriatric care best practices.
• Excellent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care, teaching, and quality improvement.
• Ability to analyze complex clinical information and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Computer systems skills in spreadsheet, database and word processing (Preferred proficiency)
• Must demonstrate highly effective written and oral communication skills (Required proficiency)

Licensure

• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph.) in the State of Ohio.

Physical Demands
 

• Standing Frequently
• Walking Frequently
• Sitting Rarely
• Lifting Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Carrying Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Pushing Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Pulling Frequently up to 50 lbs
• Climbing Occasionally up to 50 lbs
• Balancing Occasionally
• Stooping Frequently
• Kneeling Frequently
• Crouching Frequently
• Crawling Occasionally
• Reaching Frequently
• Handling Frequently
• Grasping Frequently
• Feeling Constantly
• Talking Constantly
• Hearing Constantly
• Repetitive Motions Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly

Travel Requirements
 

• 10%25

Joining our team comes with several benefits, including:

• Competitive hourly rate 
• Sign on bonus up to $5,000
• Free parking