Pharmacist

The Pharmacist, compounds and dispenses prescribed drugs in a healthcare facility environment, transfers prescriptions, provides drug information in collaboration to other healthcare professionals, performs medication order entry into the computer, monitors patient profiles for appropriate medication use oversees the work of the support staff and documents any relevant intervention.

The position is expected to meet state certifications, requires familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures, and relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

Responsibilities

Technical Tasks

1. Prepares medications per physician order for distribution to patient care areas in accordance with accepted pharmacy practice, ASHP standards of practice and all state and federal laws and regulations

2. Compounds, prepares and verifies all intravenous admixture solutions, chemotherapeutic agents and other medications dispensed from the Pharmacy.

Special care is required to check physical and chemical compatibilities and appropriateness of solution, volume, and concentration: as well and aseptic technique during preparation.

3. Performs any special compounding required by a physician medication order.

4. Enters new medication orders into the computerized patient profiles and updates defined patient parameters such as age, weight, height, diagnosis, and allergy history in order that these parameters may be applied to each preparation and medication dispensed.

5. Supervises and reviews all functions performed by support personnel within the pharmacy. These include: A. Checking and verifying medication orders filled by a technician before distribution, B. Checking and verifying all floor stock orders including routine refills of the automated dispensing machines filled by a technician, C. Verifies all controlled medication refill activities, D. Completes all unit inspections assigned to the pharmacist/technician team each month.

6. Receives all controlled drug substances received from the wholesaler or main inpatient pharmacy and maintains accurate inventory control.

7. Removes all out-of-date medication and drug recalls from inventory immediately upon discovery and checks all medication profiles of patients on that medication to ensure none will be given.

8. Mandatory participation in annual physical inventory of the Oncology Infusion Center.

9. Brings significant changes in usage to the pharmacy purchasing clerks attention.

10. Completes all assigned daily tasks, and assists others when time permits.

Critical Thinking

1. Each Pharmacist is responsible for clinical use and knowledge of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacological effects of drugs and chemicals on the human body

2. Computes calculations appropriate to originate clinical suggestions based on patient parameters such as age, organ function, and weight, to provide more effective usage of targeted medications.

3. Participates in clinical activities including participation in Care Coordination Rounds, and medication reconciliation as directed by the Clinical Coordinator or Oncology Clinical Pharmacist.

4. Advises other health care professionals regarding the properties and effects, proper administration, stability and compatibility of drugs to ensure safe and effective patient care

5. Utilizes references and computer programs to accurately dose and understand the Pharmacokinetics properties and pharmacology of drugs dispensed by the pharmacy

6. Provides in service education to health care professionals and participates when directed in community education activities

7. Effectively records and reports data including all interventions that improve patient care, documentation of adverse drug reactions, identification of medication errors, concurrent Drug Utilization Evaluations, and cost-effective therapeutic interchanges.

8. Able to assess a situation and choose the appropriate course of action.

9. Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with different people taking into consideration the special needs their age pose.

Interpersonal Relations

1. Follows institutional guidelines for patients rights.

2. Communicates and works with others to ensure safe and effective service.

3. Expeditiously resolves any communication deficits with other health care professionals and co-workers.

Other Duties

1. Consistently performs 12 organizational Service Standards focused on Values, Service and Quality.

Qualifications

Education: Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Pharmacy.

Licensure: Louisiana Board of Pharmacy Licensure; RPH