Pharmacy Informatics Specialist

Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children's Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children's Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City - a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children's health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist integrates pharmacy practice, computer science and information science to manage and communicate the data systems in Clinical practice and to aid in pharmacy operations. The Specialist manages multiple clinical software systems with a high degree of complexity and interoperability. Effectively leads multidisciplinary teams that include physicians, clinical personnel, peers, and administrative staff to facilitate process improvements associated with evidence based standards of care. The Specialist manages the design, coding, build, testing, documentation, implementation and maintenance of clinical systems. Understands the capabilities of current systems to facilitate clinical process redesign and continued improvement to reduce redundancy and standardize clinical practice and documentation. As the liaison with the user departments, the Specialist coordinates custom programming, change management, and system optimization to attain high quality patient outcomes. The Specialist maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends and advances in Pharmacy and in health care informatics, as well as new developments in hardware and software technology. Provides guidance and training to less experienced analysts and specialists. The Specialist is expected to focus the full potential of their pharmacy knowledge and experience in the assessment and improvements of electronic medication processes that are safe, effective and appropriate.

Epic/Willow certification is highly preferred and will be required within 120 days.

At Children's Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it's important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children's Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Designs, builds, implements, upgrades, manages and maintains multiple clinical software systems with a high degree of complexity and interoperability Help develop and maintain tools that contribute to the quality of pharmacy clinical services and operations aligning with established pharmacy policies, procedures and protocols:

Identifies methodologies for modifying, implementing, and utilizing clinical systems with data structures that support health care access, delivery, and evaluation.
• Leads design, build, validation, and implementation support for all clinical system applications and associated hardware.
• Manages correction of any identified defects with the software vendor.
• Manages and maintains ongoing changes in application configurations.
• Maintains current knowledge of software enhancements and upgrades.
• Maintains documentation of the application, how it works, what it does, technical contacts, responsible parties, maintenance instructions, back-up procedures, and disaster recovery.
• Leads evaluation and development of new clinical systems and organization initiatives.
• Participates in orientation, training, and knowledge transfer of new IS staff.

Liaison between Information Systems and Pharmacy department:

• Utilizes leadership and communication skills to collaborate with clinical system users to identify system deficiencies while developing the effective use of technology to promote maintenance of patient safey and confidentiality.
• Serves as an internal consultant with all clinical departments to identify and achieve department & clinical system project goals.
• Communicates data, information, knowledge and wisdom to the clinical users to support best clinical practice.
• Collaborates with clinical system users to identify where improvements are needed in electronic processes.
• Assesses, analyzes, and translates clinical needs and requirements into the development of appropriate clinical systems.
• Maintains direct contact with vendor to assure customer needs are met.
• Investigates the need for additional services, programs, applications, modifications and/or hardware.
• Communicates policy to users and responds to user requests for assistance.
• Maintains and monitors application security by granting the correct level of access for all users and administrators of the application.

Leads change management and system optimization to facilitate process improvement:

• Leads and supports teams and committees to plan, coordinate, and implement improvements aligned with the organization's strategic initiatives or required by external regulations.
• Leads the development and implementation of system or work process changes.
• Recommends innovations, ideas, processes, additions and modifications to improve existing clinical systems.
• Acts as subject matter expert to design and implement system changes to improve processes.
• Coordinates the implementation of system changes with all affected groups.
• Coordinates with software vendors to identify the most efficient application configuration to maximize system performance.
• Translates end-users needs into system optimization.
• Leads evaluation and development of new clinical systems and organization initiatives.

Participates in organizational and departmental quality improvement projects and medication use evaluation activities and facilitates effective communication relative to the initiatives:

• Actively participates in quality improvement projects.
• Participates in Root cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects analysis, or other quality related initiatives as requested.
• Maintains competence required for current job title/position.
• Maintains Missouri license in good standing.
• Attends team staff meetings.
• Attends orientation and training programs.
• Review literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy and Cerner application.
• Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local lows, rules and regulations.
• Completes goals as set by self and supervisor for evaluation period.
• Goals set at previous assessment are met and documentation is presented to supervisor at next annual evaluation date.

• RPh Degree or PharmD in pharmacy from an accredited school and 5-7 years experience. Preferred experience in pediatric healthcare; Clinical experience in a healthcare facility in conjunction with progressive experience in an implementation of an electronic health record that included complex technical build, clinical problem solving, interdisciplinary team approach, and project management.
• Licensed Pharmacist - MO required upon hire
• EPIC build/certification strongly preferred.
• Must successfully obtain EPIC certification within 120 days of hire.

The benefits plans at Children's Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $57.81/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

This is an intermittent remote position, which means that the person hired will work with his or her manager to determine a schedule that includes both at home and on-site hours at a Children's Mercy location. The incumbent must live in the Kansas City metro area.

Children's Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation all are factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children's Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

CM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our patients and families come from all walks of life, and so do we. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability and beliefs.