Cardiothoracic Transplant Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Houston, TX, 77030
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 49.78-74.05 HOUR
Date Posted : 15 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist position is responsible for providing leadership and clinical pharmacy services, including the implementation of System, Region, and Facility Pharmacy Services initiatives. The incumbent will provide leadership in establishing and maintaining clinical pharmacy programs, mentor staff pharmacists to clinical pharmacy activities, educate pharmacy residents and students affiliated with the facility, provide clinical pharmacy support to one or more Service Lines, and collaborate with the facility Pharmacy leadership team in establishing action plans to support department initiatives at the campus level. Ensures that all actions taken and methods to produce the results outlined below incorporate and promote CSH’s mission, vision, and values.
85% or more time is spent:
- Performs all duties of a registered staff pharmacist working online/staffing
- Exempt status for the Specialist is the default, unless defined by contract or Region standard
Essential Key Job Responsibilities
- Promotes long and short-range planning to respond and integrate within the market, Region, and systems.
- Works collaboratively with pharmacy peers to standardize clinical pharmacy systems when appropriate
- Works, as directed by facility pharmacy leadership, on developing, coaching and mentoring pharmacy staff to maximize their scope of practice in the provision of clinical pharmacy services and scholarly activities across the continuum of care.
- Educates the medical staff regarding cost-effective, quality pharmaceutical care based on evidence based medicine and best practices.
- Participates in assigned committees relevant to their knowledge, experience and practice area
- Assures that clinical pharmacy initiatives are in compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Precepts Pharmacy Interns and Pharmacy Residents
- Functions as a clinical pharmacist (centralized/ decentralized staffing)
- This position may serve as the Residency Program Director as applicable.
Clinical Pharmacist Functions
- Demonstrates ability to document clinical activities and interventions such as consults, patient teachings and other patient specific information as defined by policy and procedure.
- Interprets medication orders and/or prescriptions for drug interactions, appropriate drug selection and appropriateness. Accurately enters the order or prescription into the computer system, labels, and dispenses medications in a timely manner.
- Verifies and checks medications prepared by other pharmacy personnel.
- Communicates drug information to patients and health professionals. Resolves drug related problems by consulting with other health care professionals to achieve appropriate patient outcomes. Unclear orders written by a licensed provider are clarified with the licensed provider. Assists the licensed provider in appropriate drug selection and therapeutic regimens.
- Achieves and maintains an adequate basic knowledge base to provide clinical services for all age groups served. Provides basic clinical services as required by policy and procedure.
- Maintains a working knowledge of automated systems
- Responsible for technician activities, performance, provides direction and guidance as needed.
- Participates in the orientation, instruction and training of pharmacy students and interns, pharmacy technicians, residents, pharmacists and other health professionals.
- Performs duties in documented accordance with requirements of all regulatory and governing bodies.
- Completing mandatory education from a system and department level is appropriate.
- Provides patient counseling and drug information and documentation as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree
- Residency completion or three (3) years of clinical experience
- Active Texas Pharmacist License in good standing
- Board Certification (e.g. BCCP, BCPS) required within 3 years of hire - any incumbents would not be required to obtain board certification
- BLS Certification issued by the American Heart Association
- ACLS Certification issued by the American Heart Association
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is an 881-bed quaternary care academic medical center that is a joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine and St. Luke’s Health. Located in the Texas Medical Center, the hospital is the home of the Texas Heart® Institute, a cardiovascular research and education institution founded in 1962 by Denton A. Cooley, MD. The hospital was the first facility in Texas and the Southwest designated a Magnet® hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, receiving the award five consecutive times. Baylor St. Luke’s also has three community emergency centers offering adult and pediatric care for the Greater Houston area.
St. Luke’s Health, now part of CommonSpirit Health formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health, has been serving our community since 1954. Operating 137 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states, making our services accessible to nearly 1 in 4 U.S. residents. We proudly provide a vast array of services that help us keep our community safe and healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
This specialist plays a crucial role by optimizing medication therapies for cardiothoracic transplant patients, ensuring safety and efficacy. In Houston’s complex healthcare environment, they collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve clinical outcomes, tailoring interventions to support advanced cardiovascular treatments.
Expertise in interpreting complex medication regimens, managing transplant-specific drug therapies, and proficiency in evidence-based cardiothoracic pharmacology are essential. Additionally, strong communication skills help in counseling patients and collaborating with physicians within Houston’s high-acuity cardiovascular facilities.
Daily tasks include reviewing medication orders for transplant patients, providing clinical consults, mentoring pharmacy staff, and educating healthcare teams. They also document interventions meticulously and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, supporting a continuum of care in a fast-paced academic medical center.
Houston’s Texas Medical Center is a national cardiovascular hub, creating steady demand for specialists in this niche. While competition exists due to the city’s healthcare prominence, candidates with board certification and transplant experience have a distinct advantage securing roles with leading institutions like Catholic Health Initiatives.
Board certifications such as BCCP or BCPS are highly valued and often required within three years of hire. Additionally, ACLS and BLS certifications are standard, enhancing a candidate’s clinical credibility in Texas’s rigorous transplant pharmacy settings.
Catholic Health Initiatives integrates a mission-driven approach with cutting-edge cardiovascular care, offering a collaborative environment focused on clinical leadership, education, and standardized pharmacy systems. This blend supports pharmacists in expanding their clinical scope within a nationally recognized healthcare network.
The organization fosters mentorship, continuous education, and scholarly activities, encouraging pharmacists to pursue board certifications and leadership roles. Its affiliation with Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center provides exposure to advanced transplant cases, enhancing clinical expertise and professional growth.
Salaries typically range between $120,000 and $150,000 annually, reflecting Houston’s competitive healthcare market and the specialty’s demand. Factors influencing pay include experience, certifications, and the employing institution’s scale, with large academic centers often offering higher compensation.
Traffic congestion during peak hours can extend commute times significantly. Many professionals opt for flexible schedules or public transit options. Proximity to Houston’s Texas Medical Center offers benefits but requires planning for daily travel to optimize work-life balance.
Houston’s expanding transplant programs and cardiovascular research institutes fuel consistent recruitment. Hospitals prioritize candidates with transplant experience and board certification, reflecting a growing emphasis on specialized pharmacy roles to support complex surgical patient populations.