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Critical Care Pharmacist - Relief
Company : Oregon Health & Science University
Location : Portland, OR, 97201
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Department Overview
The purpose of this position is to provide the services of a licensed pharmacist which includes the responsibility for the safe and proper distribution and use of drugs in inpatients and outpatients who range in age from neonates, infants less than one year of age, children and adolescents ages 10-18, adults ages 19-65 and the elderly over age 65. This position is to function at higher decision making levels regarding drug therapy, proactively affecting drug use by making recommendations at the time prescribing decisions are being made or, in some cases, making independent decisions about drug therapy in cooperation with other health team members.This is a flexible model where traditionally centralized functions, such as order entry/verifications, will become part of decentralized practice as the technology associated with patient care evolves.
Relief employees must be available to work at least four (4) days per pay period as determined according to the department needs
Function/Duties of Position
Identifies, resolves and documents complex therapeutic problems, demonstrating advanced knowledge and application of this knowledge to a specific patient population.
Responds accurately to requests for drug information from physicians, nurses, patients and patient's families; independently reviews and interprets the literature and applies this information to specific patient care situations.
Monitors therapeutic response and adverse effects of medications to guide drug therapy. Consults with provider when questions or problems are identified and documents activies in the patient medical record. Appropriately reports all adverse drug reactions, drug defects, and medication errors.
Supervise the activities and assume responsibility for all duties being performed by technicians, students, interns, and residents and monitors and evaluates their performance.
- Influences standards of therapy by forming peer level relationships with attending medical staff members; is recognized as a drug authority in their practice area by physicians, nurses and pharmacists.
Assists in the development of treatment guidelines to be used in patients with specific diagnosis. Documents activities in the patient medical record, pharmacy monitoring profile, drug use evaluation data collection or adverse drug reaction reporting program.
Interprets and evaluates physician's orders and prescriptions for accuracy, completeness and appropriateness. Documents activities of clinical decision or medication distribution issues that are not in line with the standard of practice, require follow-up, or continued monitoring/evaluation. Verify the accuracy and appropriateness of medications prepared and dispensed from the central pharmacy.
- Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications
- BS in Pharmacy or Pharm.D. PLUS PGY-1 Practice Residency or Specialist Certification (BCCCP, BCPS, etc)
A current Pharmacist’s license issued by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):
- Ability to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of the following patient care types: Critical Care, acute care,emergency medicin, psychiatric, rehabilitiaion, skilled nursing, long-term care, obstetric, oncology, chemically dependent, HIV, home care, hospice.
- Demonstrates the ability to: Enforce pharmaceutical care principles safely and accurately
- Make age-related modification of drug therapy
- Make disease-related modification of drug therapy
- Evaluate medical literature
Preferred Qualifications
- PGY-2 Specialty Residency
- Specialist Certifications (BCPS, BCCCP, etc) Vaccination certification Teaching Certificate ACLS/BLS certification
Additional Details
The pharmacist will experience competing demands from nurses, physicians, pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals, as they attempt to influence clinical decision-making, clinical policies and practices and work flow. The pharmacist must deal with intense situations on a daily basis. In addition, within the healthcare setting there can be significant lack of control over the work pace, with frequent interruptions (work is often dictated by external factors) that may lead to mental fatigue or stress.
All are welcome
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.Related Jobs
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Frequently asked questions
Critical Care Pharmacist - Relief roles in Portland involve managing complex drug therapies in intensive care settings, requiring advanced clinical decision-making under pressure. Unlike standard pharmacists, they actively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize critical patient outcomes, often handling high-stress scenarios and diverse patient age groups.
Success in emergency medicine as a Critical Care Pharmacist - Relief hinges on deep knowledge of acute drug interactions, rapid therapeutic adjustments, and familiarity with life-saving protocols like ACLS. This expertise ensures safe, effective medication use in fast-paced, unpredictable clinical emergencies.
Many Critical Care Pharmacist - Relief professionals advance into specialized residencies or obtain certifications like BCCCP or BCPS, leading to roles in clinical pharmacy leadership, research, or education. Enhanced skills in critical care pharmacotherapy often open doors to permanent or managerial positions in healthcare systems.
OHSU presents complex cases across neonates to elderly populations, demanding versatile drug therapy management. The institution's cutting-edge technology integration and interdisciplinary culture create a dynamic environment where pharmacists influence critical care protocols and patient safety standards.
OHSU encourages ongoing professional development by facilitating access to specialist certifications like BCPS and ACLS training. Relief pharmacists benefit from mentorship programs and continuing education that align with evolving critical care pharmacy standards and best practices.
Critical Care Pharmacist - Relief positions in Portland typically offer salaries ranging from $120,000 to $145,000 annually, reflecting the advanced clinical expertise required. Compensation may vary based on certifications, experience, and shift flexibility within Oregon’s healthcare sector.
Portland's healthcare landscape shows steady demand for relief pharmacists in critical care due to hospital expansions and an aging population. While competition exists, specialized credentials and experience with acute care patients enhance employability and contract opportunities.
Besides a valid Oregon pharmacist license, certifications such as BCPS or BCCCP are highly regarded locally. ACLS/BLS certifications are often mandatory, reflecting the critical care setting's emergency response requirements within Oregon’s hospitals.
Pharmacists at OHSU integrate decentralized order verification and real-time clinical decision support tools, allowing faster interventions. This flexibility requires adapting to new software and collaborative communication methods to enhance medication safety and patient outcomes.
Relief pharmacists at OHSU actively participate in developing treatment protocols by analyzing clinical data and advising on drug use evaluations. Their frontline insights help shape evidence-based standards that improve therapeutic effectiveness and safety across the institution.