ABOUT NCH
NCH is an independent, locally governed non-profit delivering premier comprehensive care. Our healthcare system is comprised of two hospitals, an alliance of 700+ physicians, and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida that offer nationally recognized, quality health care.
NCH is transforming into an Advanced Community Healthcare System(TM) and we’re proud to: Provide higher acuity care and Centers of Excellence; Offer Graduate Medical Education and fellowships; Have endowed chairs; Conduct research and participate in national clinical trials; and partner with other health market leaders, like Hospital for Special Surgery, Encompass, and ProScan.
Join our mission to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life. We are committed to care and believe there's always more at NCH - for you and every person we serve together. Visit nchjobs.org to learn more.
JOB SUMMARY
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Manager (ASPM) provides specialized training and experience in Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infectious Diseases (ID). The ASPM is responsible for continuous integration of antimicrobial stewardship efforts within the pharmacy enterprise and healthcare system, with the goal of improving safety and outcomes for all patients served. The ASPM supports efforts to enhance drug expertise and guide the responsible use of antibiotics through clinical initiatives, education, research, and policy management. This role involves coordination of antimicrobial stewardship program efforts, regulatory preparedness, workflow enhancement, and process optimization. The ASPM is expected to lead the system antimicrobial stewardship committee, and in collaboration with the department of Infection Prevention, coordinate and/or support activities related to infection prevention and control. This role is responsible for establishing and expanding antimicrobial stewardship clinical services, overseeing protocols for anti-infective medications, and ensuring safe and effective medication practices. The ASPM will serve as a champion for staff development focused on knowledge and methods to respond or mitigate against the threat of antimicrobial drug resistance through reasonable clinical decision making. This role provides didactic and experiential education and training in antimicrobial stewardship and infectious diseases to clinical staff, Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) candidates, and pharmacy residents. This position reports to the System Pharmacy Clinical Manager.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties may be assigned.
· Leads and manages the NCH Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in collaboration with Infectious diseases physician Leadership, Department of Pharmacy and Department of Infection Prevention. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
o Co-Chair of the NCH Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee
o Conduct daily antimicrobial stewardship activities including prospective audit of antimicrobial use and review of all positive blood culture results with real-time intervention and feedback.
o Identifies, designs, and implement improvements in the medication-use system to advance patient safety, maximize therapeutic outcomes, or control costs.
§ Document clinical interventions and cost avoidance as part of the departmental documentation program. Monitor the use of high-cost medications to ensure there is use consistent with approved criteria.
o Implements antimicrobial stewardship initiatives to promote optimal antimicrobial use and measure impact of interventions.
§ Tracks and evaluates antimicrobial stewardship programs for clinical, operational, quality, and financial efficiency and routinely benchmarks against local and national best practices.
§ Report on applicable antimicrobial stewardship metrics, including antimicrobial utilization and identifies opportunities to optimize antimicrobial use and patient care.
o Assists in developing and maintaining the anti-infective formulary, anti-infective guidelines and use evaluations, infectious disease related clinical pathways, and order sets.
o Participates in anti-infective/antimicrobial stewardship quality improvement projects in collaboration with pharmacy, infectious diseases physician leadership, clinical microbiology, infection prevention, nursing, and quality.
o Conducts clinical or quality research and practice advancement projects as well as patient care quality and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice within NCH.
o Collaborates with key stakeholders to uphold TJC, CMS and other antimicrobial stewardship regulatory compliance.
o Assures department of pharmacy is an integral part of the health-care delivery system and facilitates enhancement and expansion of pharmacy services/programs.
· Provides clinical services to promote antimicrobial utilization that aligns with patient care needs, evidence-based practices, and regulatory standards.
o Maintains proficiency in pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programs.
o Works as an active member of multidisciplinary team and collaborates with healthcare providers to provide patient-centered care.
o Identifies high-risk patients and implements interventions to improve quality and safety.
o Participates in the management of medical emergencies.
o Provides accurate, safe, timely medication review, reconciliation, and counseling as appropriate.
o Maintains proficiency in decentralized pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy programs.
o Maintains proficiency in hospital computer systems and medication ordering systems.
o Communicates effectively and appropriately with healthcare providers and caregivers and ensures continuity of pharmacotherapy care between shifts and among staff.
o Facilitates medication procurement, ordering, and dispensing procedures.
o Oversee pharmacy operations and technician practice/activities as defined by state laws.
· Facilitates experiential education and practice advancement of pharmacy residents and pharmacy students and other staff members.
o Maintains proficiency in preceptor roles and actively emulates education/mentorship skills.
o Develops training experiences and creates new relationships for teaching and training opportunities.
o Provides education/competencies to pharmacists, providers, nurses, and other clinical staff on protocols, guidelines, and department initiatives as appropriate.
· Understands and applies principles and concepts of Performance Improvement.
o Looks for opportunities and solutions for process improvements and seeks to improve job skills.
o Serves as a role model, demonstrates creativity, cooperation, innovation, peer support.
o Consistently contributes to department goals; Takes active role in training new staff, is proactive in working toward department goals.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelors of Science from College of Pharmacy Accredited Required. Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D) preferred.
· State of Florida Pharmacist license
· Completion of an ASHP-Accredited Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Pharmacy Residency in Infectious Diseases OR Active Board Certification in Infectious Diseases Pharmacy (BCIDP) OR 2 years of practice experience in infectious diseases and/or antimicrobial stewardship.
· Board of pharmacy specialty certification(s) preferred.
· Advanced Life Support (ALS) Certification – Must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
· Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and services
· Effective oral and written communication skills, as well as demonstrated interpersonal and team skills.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision, with the ability to set priorities and make critical decisions.
· Epic software experience preferred.
· Intermediate computer knowledge required: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and Windows
