Texas Children’s Hospital is seeking a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to join our nationally recognized Cancer and Hematology Center. This position offers an exciting opportunity to practice at the forefront of pediatric oncology and hematology care while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders.
The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist serves as an integral member of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive clinical pharmacy services across the continuum of oncology and hematology care. Specialists work alongside physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimize medication therapy, improve patient outcomes, advance medication safety initiatives, and contribute to innovative clinical programs.
This role combines direct patient care, clinical leadership, quality improvement, research, education, and program development within one of the nation’s leading pediatric academic medical centers.
Why Join Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center?
Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center is one of the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorder programs in the country, providing comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of oncologic and hematologic conditions.
As a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, you will have opportunities to:
Practice within a nationally recognized pediatric oncology and hematology program.
Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams caring for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors, neuro-oncology diagnoses, benign hematologic disorders, and other complex conditions.
Support the care of patients receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, cellular therapies, and other emerging treatment modalities.
Participate in treatment plan review, medication-use optimization, supportive care initiatives, and medication safety programs.
Contribute to clinical research, quality improvement projects, and practice advancement initiatives.
Precept and mentor pharmacy residents, students, and learners in an academic environment affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine.
Help shape innovative pharmacy services within a growing and evolving Cancer and Hematology Center.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibility A: Utilizes practice knowledge and skills to serve as Clinical Practitioner.
Actively participates in multidisciplinary rounds with oncology, hematology, neuro-oncology, and supportive care teams to optimize medication therapy and improve patient outcomes.
Identifies patients with complex medication needs and oversees coordination of activities to ensure safe, effective, and timely delivery of drug therapy.
Serves as a clinical leader within the Cancer and Hematology Center through participation in multidisciplinary committees, treatment planning initiatives, medication safety programs, and quality improvement efforts.
Performs outcome-directed therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic monitoring according to established guidelines.
Monitors therapies for drug-drug, drug-nutrient, and drug-laboratory interactions and collaborates with healthcare professionals to optimize medication safety and effectiveness.
Optimizes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, supportive care regimens, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and symptom management strategies through evidence-based recommendations.
Identifies, prevents, and resolves medication-related problems to improve patient outcomes and enhance medication safety.
Participates in quality improvement, medication safety, and practice advancement initiatives designed to improve outcomes for pediatric oncology and hematology patients.
Responsibility B: Ensures the medication use process.
Creates, maintains, and improves policies, procedures, treatment plans, clinical guidelines, and order sets affecting areas of responsibility.
Makes recommendations regarding services, methods, and procedures and develops action plans to implement improvements.
Promotes evidence-based medication use and formulary stewardship while following established processes for non-formulary medications.
Participates in the development, review, implementation, and maintenance of oncology and hematology treatment plans and supportive care guidelines.
Identifies opportunities for improvement within the medication-use process and actively works to implement solutions.
Identifies and recommends medications for formulary addition, deletion, or modification based on clinical evidence and patient care needs.
Investigates, follows up on, and takes appropriate action regarding medication incidents, adverse drug reactions, and medication safety events.
Supports safe medication practices related to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, cellular therapies, and other high-risk medications.
Responsibility C: Participates in the education of patients, caregivers, pharmacists, pharmacy residents, students, and healthcare professionals.
Participates in the education and training of pharmacy employees, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Develops educational programs and learning opportunities that enhance clinical knowledge and patient care practices.
Provides accurate, evidence-based, and timely drug information to medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff.
Serves as a preceptor and mentor for pharmacy residents, students, and pharmacists.
Participates in the development of oncology and hematology educational initiatives across the Cancer and Hematology Center.
Provides medication education to patients, parents, and caregivers as requested by the healthcare team.
Contributes to scholarly activities including presentations, publications, research projects, and quality improvement initiatives.
Demonstrates current professional, clinical, and technical knowledge and skills.
Coordinates performance improvement and quality improvement activities to improve patient outcomes.
Actively participates in the development and maintenance of evidence-based clinical guidelines and treatment plans.
Maintains professional development through participation in local, regional, and national professional organizations and meetings.
Serves as a content expert in pediatric oncology and hematology pharmacotherapy.
Responsibility D: Communicates with others.
Collaborates effectively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
Collaborates with multidisciplinary oncology and hematology teams to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
Communicates positively, professionally, and respectfully to promote teamwork and effective collaboration.
Utilizes appropriate communication skills to contribute to patient care planning and clinical decision-making.
Reviews and responds to email, voicemail, pages, and other communication methods according to departmental standards.
Communicates and treats all coworkers with respect and courtesy while fostering a positive work environment.
Keeps immediate supervisor informed of issues and opportunities affecting patient care, operations, and team performance.
Serves as a liaison between pharmacy, nursing, medicine, and other disciplines.
Responsibility E: Performs other essential functions.
Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
Performs additional duties as assigned within specified deadlines.
Ensures a work environment that is clean, organized, and compliant with departmental standards.
Completes mandatory health, safety, compliance, and training requirements by established deadlines.
Demonstrates initiative through successful completion of projects, programs, and process improvement activities.
Participates in recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for pharmacy personnel.
Participates in departmental, institutional, and Cancer and Hematology Center initiatives that advance patient care, education, research, and professional practice.
Participates in the clinical on-call program.
Shared Accountabilities
Extensive knowledge of pediatric pharmacotherapy, oncology, hematology, clinical therapeutics, and medication-use systems.
Knowledge regarding medication education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and development of patient care programs and educational initiatives.
Ability to provide expert clinical consultation and evidence-based recommendations for complex patient populations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced academic healthcare environment.
Maintains validation of departmental and area-specific competencies.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Must be able to work under pressure and collaborate closely with others throughout the workday.
Must hold an active Texas State Board of Pharmacy Preceptor License and actively participate in precepting pharmacy learners.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, all successful candidates will be required to undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.
Requirements
Required Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or Bachelor's Degree Science in Pharmacy
Required Licensed Pharmacist by the State of Texas or eligible for licensure in Texas.
Required PGY1 ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency AND a PGY2 Pharmacy Practice Residency in an Advanced Area of Pharmacy Practice (PGY2 Critical Care, PGY2 Pediatrics preferred), or
Required PGY1 ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency with four (4) years' experience in an inpatient hospital pharmacy setting with clinical responsibilities, pediatric experience preferred.
We are searching for clinical pharmacy specialists. In the clinical specialist position, you will manage and promote activities appropriate to ensure the medication use process, to serve as mentor to pharmacists who provide services to the medical specialty, and to assist in direct patient care activities to promote optimal drug therapy and resolve medication use problems in a manner developmentally appropriate for the ages of patients served.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibility A: Utilizes practice knowledge and skills to serve as Clinical Practitioner.
Actively participates in multi-disciplinary rounds with medical specialty services.
Identifies patients with special medication needs and oversees coordination of activities to ensure proper delivery of drug therapy, including patients requiring extracorporeal therapies.
Serves as member of patient care committees for medical specialty service. Makes recommendations and implements change to improve patient care
Performs outcome-directed therapeutic drug monitoring for patients according to guidelines.
Monitors therapies for drug-drug, drug-nutrient, and drug-laboratory interactions and discusses intera...ctions with appropriate health care professionals to help ensure patient safety and compliance.
Performs outcome-directed pharmacokinetics monitoring for patients according to guidelines and discusses recommendations with appropriate medical professionals to help provide the best care for the patient.
Participates in Quality Improvement initiatives to enhance and ensure patient safety for all patients.
Responsibility B: Ensures the medication use process.
Creates and maintains appropriate and useful policies and procedures affecting areas of responsibility. Makes recommendations as to how services, methods, and procedures can be improved. Establishes action plans to implement appropriate changes.
Promotes the use of the formulary and follows procedures to obtain non-formulary medications.
Identifies opportunities for improvement for area of practice; seeks to accomplish these improvements.
Identifies and suggests agents to be added, deleted, or modified to/within the formulary and database.
Investigates, follows-up, and takes appropriate action for medication incidents and adverse drug reactions.
Responsibility C: Participates in the education of parents/patients, caregivers, pharmacists, and pharmacy residents and students.
Participates in the education and training of pharmacy employees, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and non-pharmacy personnel. Develops an educational program and a plan and incorporates into pharmacist’s routine increasing their clinical knowledge.
Provides correct and timely drug information to medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff as needed.
Perpetuates self-development through publications and/or presentations at a professional society level each year.
Demonstrates current professional, managerial, and technical knowledge and skills.
Coordinates performance improvement or quality improvement activities to contribute to improved patient outcomes.
Develops educational programs, both practice-area specific and general education for pharmacists to ensure good patient care.
Serves as a preceptor to pharmacists, pharmacy residents and students.
Actively participates in the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines group to ensure appropriate provision of medical therapy in TCH guidelines.
Attends one pharmacy or service based professional meeting each year.
Provide medication education to patients/parents/caregivers as requested by the medical team.
Responsibility D: Communicates with others.
Collaborates effectively with other members of health care disciplines to provide comprehensive care to patients.
Communicates positively and appropriately to work effectively as a team.
Utilizes appropriate skills to help develop a care plan.
Checks all available means of communication including e-mail, mailbox, and voice mail if applicable every day/shift. Responds to pages and messages within departmental standards.
Communicates and treats all coworkers with respect and courtesy, avoiding loud and disruptive conversation, and/or actions and remarks indicating disrespect.
Keeps immediate supervisor informed of issues.
Acts as a liaison between the pharmacy, nurses and physicians.
Responsibility E: Performs other essential functions.
Maintain patient confidentiality as documented by lack of complaints and peer review.
Performs additional duties as assigned within specified deadline.
Ensures a work environment that is clean, neat, and organized according to departmental standards.
Completes mandatory health, safety, and training/in-services requirements by deadline.
Demonstrates initiative when opportunities are presented as evidenced by successful completion of projects.
Participates in the recruitment and successful hiring and training of pharmacists, completing the appropriate tasks to help hire and train employees as needed.
Participates in the clinical on-call program.
SHARED ACCOUNTABILITIES
Knowledge and Skills
Technical and extensive knowledge of medication, pediatrics, and clinical therapeutics.
Knowledge regarding effectively communicating medications’ effects, education about medications, and establishing programs specific to patient care and training is required.
Maintaining validation of departmental and area specific competencies.
Must be able to work under pressure and work closely with others continuously throughout the day.
Must hold an active TX State Board of Pharmacy Preceptor License and Precept at least two clinical students each year.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, all successful candidates will be required to undergo respiratory fit testing in compliance with occupational health and safety standards.
Requirements
Required Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or Bachelor's Degree Science in Pharmacy
Required Licensed Pharmacist by the State of Texas or eligible for licensure in Texas.
Required PGY1 ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency AND a PGY2 Pharmacy Practice Residency in an Advanced Area of Pharmacy Practice (PGY2 Critical Care, PGY2 Pediatrics preferred), or
Required PGY1 ASHP-accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency with four (4) years' experience in an inpatient hospital pharmacy setting with clinical responsibilities, pediatric experience preferred.
About Texas Children’s
Since 1954, Texas Children’s has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city’s Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years.
Texas Children’s comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin and Central Texas families. We have also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation.
To join our community of 15,000+ dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities.
Texas Children’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.
