Description
Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.
Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?
Job Title: Medication History Specialist Medication Administration
Location: 555 N Duke Street
Department: Medication History Services
Hours: Day shift, every 6th weekend. One summer holiday and one winter holiday
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION SUMMARY:The Medication History Specialist plays a vital role in promoting patient and medication safety by independently obtaining accurate pre-admission medication and allergy histories. This includes conducting screenings for immunizations, Hepatitis C, CIWA, and vaccines for direct admissions, Emergency Department patients, and day surgery patients. As an essential member of the pharmacy team, the specialist gathers precise information through patient interviews and other sources to prevent medication duplications, omissions, and errors.
The data collected is entered into the electronic health record (EHR) and utilized by interdisciplinary healthcare professionals throughout the patient’s hospital stay. This role requires strong knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology, metric systems, and exceptional customer service skills. The specialist must be able to communicate effectively with patients, clinicians, pharmacists, and care team members across the continuum of care.
The position requires the ability to learn new tasks quickly and adapt to frequent changes. Understanding and executing detailed, involved instructions is essential.
Essential Functions
Qualified individuals must be able to perform the following duties, with or without reasonable accommodation:
Medication and Allergy Documentation
- Review, collect, update, and enter pre-admission medications into the patient’s current medication list.
- Complete timely computer entry of home medications to support accurate admission medication orders.
- Gather information from multiple sources (e.g., patient, family, caregivers, dispense history, physician orders, community and mail-order pharmacies, acute care facilities) to ensure comprehensive and accurate EHR documentation.
- Identify high-risk medications, notify a pharmacist, and document appropriately in the EHR system (e.g., I-Vent).
- Collaborate directly with pharmacists to resolve discrepancies or concerns related to the patient’s home medication list.
- Review, collect, update, and enter allergy information—including medications, environmental, and food allergens—and document contraindications, intolerances, and adverse reactions.
Screening and Immunization
- Conduct immunization screenings (e.g., Tdap, COVID-19, Influenza, Pneumococcal) and order outstanding immunizations based on screening results.
- Perform substance use screenings and order consultations as indicated.
- Screen for Hepatitis C and order appropriate lab testing based on protocol.
Patient Education and Support
- Provide education and documentation for:
- Medication administration during hospitalization
- MyChart Bedside enrollment
- “Meds on the Move” program
- Assist with discharge planning, including Medi-Set follow-up.
- Identify and communicate patient-specific needs (e.g., language barriers, educational gaps, financial concerns) to the care team.
Clinical Environment and Safety
- Work confidently in high-risk environments (e.g., Behavioral Health Emergency, Emergency Department, isolation rooms).
- Follow isolation procedures and protocols; annual N-95 fit testing is required.
- Administer designated vaccinations per protocol.
- Perform additional services within the scope of licensure and/or certification.
·Ability to apply thoughtful reasoning to resolve complex issues and develop effective solutions.
·Independent planning and origination of options are often required.
·Must be able to apply principles of reasoning and problem-solving to address practical challenges and navigate situations with limited standardization.
Secondary Functions
- Provide onboarding and training support for new hires.
- Retrieve, analyze, and enter data into the hospital’s EHR system.
- Participate in educational initiatives across the health system.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or manager.
- Ability to learn new tasks quickly and adapt to frequent changes in procedures, technologies, and environments.
- Capable of performing a variety of duties, often switching between tasks of differing nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
·High school diploma or successful completion of a GED.
·General computer proficiency.
·Knowledge of medication names (brand and generic), uses, dosages, and routes of administration.
·Excellent patient interview and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
·Certified Pharmacy Technician
·Certified Medical Assistant
·Two (2) years of experience in hospital healthcare or retail pharmacy practice.
·Familiarity with electronic health record systems.
We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.
Live Your Life's Work
We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.
