Staff Pharmacist (Inpatient)

JOB SUMMARY

The pharmacist performs direct patient care by performing distributional, clinical, educational, and informational functions for patients regarding medication therapy

        KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• Ensure positive patient outcome regarding medication therapy.
• Serve patients by reviewing, adjusting, verifying, and dispensing physician medication orders and related services (such as pharmacokinetic dosing and levels).
• Provide pharmacologic information to multidisciplinary health care teams.
• Review and recommend dose changes of patient medications to achieve best practice.

         ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepare and review medication orders per physician request using appropriate techniques according to protocols, policies, and procedures:
• Assure the appropriateness of a medication order, including age-related factors, before preparing or permitting the distribution of the first dose.
• Maintain accuracy of patient profiles.
• Prepare all medications using appropriate techniques.
• Dispense medications accurately in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Exercise skill as a team member in the management of medical emergencies.
• Ensure the policies and procedures related to medication distribution are followed.
• Oversee pharmacy technicians to assist with all medication distribution functions.
• Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department:
• Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians. Participates in the performance appraisal of pharmacy support personnel.
• Fosters a team environment by providing orientation and training to new team members.
• Coordinates and completes all assigned medication storage area inspections in a timely manner.
• Identifies and replaces outdated and unusable drugs.
• Answer the telephone promptly identifying self and department. Directs calls to appropriate personnel.
• Adheres to infection control protocols.
• Develop pharmaceutical knowledge of hospital staff and students.
• Keeps pharmacy area neat, clean, and well-organized.
• Regulatory compliance: (Maintain professional competencies).
• Maintain current pharmacist license.
• Ensure applicable Continuing Education (CE) records and licensure are maintained and provided to supervisor on a timely basis.
• Complete all competency/skills assessment requirements in a timely manner.
• Attend all required department meetings, orientation, education, and training sessions.
• Review literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy; stay current on pharmacy knowledge.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, visitor, and employee information to comply with HIPAA Privacy Rule standards.
• Manages sterile, non-sterile compounding and hazardous medication compounding in accordance with USP standards

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of an accredited college of pharmacy: 5 year B.S. program with clinical component or Doctor of Pharmacy. 

• Licensed to practice as a pharmacist in the State of Maine.

• One to three (1-3) years hospital pharmacy experience preferred.

WORKER TRAITS 

• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision.

• Ability to work cooperatively with hospital and pharmacy staff.

• Ability to handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule.

• Ability to set priorities, make critical decisions and respond quickly to emergency requests.

• Ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written form.

• Ability to maintain a professional appearance according to the company’s personal appearance policy.

• Ability to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of the patients served.

• Must be motivated and demonstrate the ability to function in a fast paced, changing team environment.

• Performs other pharmacy-related duties as requested or required.

• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

COMPETENCIES

• Follow up – Monitor results of delegations, assignments, or projects considering the skills, knowledge, and experience of the assigned individual and the characteristics of the assignment or project.

• Building strategic work relationships – Develop and use collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.

• Customer focus – Ensure that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; craft and implement service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.

• Adaptability – Maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

• Work standards – Set high standards of performance for self and others; assume responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.

• Managing work – Effectively manages one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to move/traverse frequently about the hospital and pharmacy.

• Ability to observe details at close range.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.

• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, telephone (desktop and mobile) and computer printer.

• Ability to move, transport, and/or position items up to 10 pounds frequently, 30 pounds occasionally (e.g., totes filled with inventory, equipment).

• Ability to meet all occupational health requirements where required.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS: Risk 0 exposure category

• Potential for exposure to hazardous and toxic substances (including chemotherapeutic, cytotoxic drugs and cleaning solutions), sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items. Potential for infection from patients if proper universal and other precautions are not followed. Potential for musculoskeletal injuries if proper lifting and carrying techniques are not used.