John F. Mitchell, Pharm.D., FASHP

Medication Safety Coordinator University of Michigan Health Systems

Until recently, I was the Medication Safety Coordinator for the Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, MI.

My career path has been broad in nature, 50% in clinical pharmacy services and 50% in administrative pharmacy services. Specifically, I have been a clinical pharmacist specializing in renal disease, a coordinator for a drug and poison information service, an Assistant Director for Clinical Services, and a medical writer for a professional publication company. Administratively, I was an Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services, a Director of Pharmacy at a 350-bed hospital for 10 years, and a product editor for a major drug information computer data company.

I have been actively involved with pharmacy students and residents throughout my career. Currently, I am an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan.

Role

• Review all medication errors reported within the health system and assign standard levels of severity (using NCC MERP guidelines)
• For errors reported relative to pharmacy, conduct a review of root causes and resolve system-related issues to prevent or minimized the reoccurrence of that error
• Actively participate in meetings for the purpose of root causes analysis (RCA) or failure mode effects analysis (FMEA)
• Review literature and current medication safety issues to prospectively minimize the risk of such errors at the health system
• Communicate on a regular basis with medical staff officers, Risk Management, Quality Improvement, nursing administration and others as needed
• Provide educational sessions for pharmacy, medical, and nursing staff on medication safety
• Serve on a variety of committees in which medication safety is a frequent agenda topic
• Present to the pharmacy and therapeutics committee summaries of medication safety initiatives along with trending data when appropriate
• Provide student and resident rotations as appropriate

How They Got There

I believe this job requires a broad experience within pharmacy and a good knowledge of nursing and medical tasks. My combined clinical and administrative experience were a perfect match for the job functions listed above, allowing me to “walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk” with decision makers from various disciplines. The job also requires a high level of initiative and “out of the box” thinking. I was the first pharmacist at the University of Michigan selected to assume this job and, as such, not only performed day-to-day functions but found myself building a solid platform for those who would follow me in this role.

A friend and colleague from the VA system helped me initially by providing suggestions and encouragement. I quickly found this to be an exciting and rewarding position.

Other Professional Activities

I have always been actively involved in local pharmacy organizations for several reasons. By listening to your peers, you broaden your knowledge level and show others that you are interested in their viewpoints. In this context, listening is much more educational than talking. Local associations are great ways to develop a list of contacts for future job enrichment. Many times jobs are unadvertised and this network is the only means of keeping “in the loop.”

Advanced Training

I have developed two residencies but never completed a formalized residency program. For me, job training was the most important residency I could obtain. That being said, I believe that the job market has changed. I tell my students that they must think of residencies, fellowships, professional publications and speaking as the cement blocks that build the foundation for their future. In a competitive environment, those attributes will help to push you to the top of those considered for a given job or promotion within an organization. Without similar credentials, your chosen career path will be that much harder to pursue.

Advice

In preparing for this particular job, a friend of mind suggested that I read, read, read. In order for you to be recognized as the “expert” on medication safety within your organization, you must be well versed on current trends. Learning from others is always important. I have one rule for myself when attending meetings – ask a question! Being recognized as a leader requires others to associate your name with your field of expertise. Asking a question and participating in the discussion phase of meetings is almost as valuable as being the guest speaker.

I also encourage others to force themselves to think out of the box. Progress comes slowly when you merely follow others. Real progress comes when you have a new vision or you take the ideas of others and apply them in a unique way to your practice setting. Once that is done, pass your improvements onto your peers.

Finally, be a leader, not just a manager. To me a manager is one who develops great ideas but may be less successful in having others accept their passion. Leaders develop passion in others by having their peers or subordinates participate in change from the beginning and by letting those individuals share in the glory of a job well done.