What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pharmacy Intern position at Mercy Health?
Mercy Health
About Us
As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.
Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
The Pharmacy Intern assists pharmacists in safely and correctly interpreting and processing physicians’ orders via entering, selecting, assembling, dispensing, and ensuring delivery of medications to the ultimate user for both inpatient and outpatient services. Assures the accurate and timely distribution of medications, IV solutions, floor stock supplies and controlled substances to patient care areas. Helps ensure accurate charge and credit functions for inpatients and outpatients and interacts with medical center personnel, physicians, patients, and others via verbal and personal contact daily.
Essential Job Functions
Inpatient/Infusion Pharmacy:
- Assists in accurate medication order interpretation. This involves selecting or compounding, dispensing, ensuring delivery of and stocking the correct products to fulfill physician orders. Fill medication drawers and automated dispensing cabinets, floor stock, and controlled substances as applicable.
- Compounds IV admixtures aseptically and accurately
- Operates and loads automation devices (robotics or automated cabinets) for drug dispensing
- Assists other hospital staff with medication and pharmacy related issues via answering phone calls and responding to computerized medication messages
- Distributes patient medications promptly and efficiently, as well as delivers and restocks medications
- Completes monthly unit inspections for an assigned hospital area as assigned– this involves ensuring this area has no outdated medications, is appropriately stocked, and checking crash carts
- Clarifies prescriptions with physicians or appropriate staff members and participation in medication reconciliation with patients as assigned
- Counsels and provides medication education to transition of care patients prior to discharge as assigned
- Trains, educates, and precepts new pharmacy technicians, students, and interns
- Participates on various departmental and interdepartmental committees
Outpatient/Non-Acute Pharmacy:
- Assists in accurate medication order interpretation. This involves entering, selecting, filling, compounding, dispensing, and ensuring release of the final product to the correct person to fulfill prescriber orders
- Assists patients and counseling of medication and pharmacy related issues via answering phone calls and in person consultations under the supervision and direction of a pharmacist
- Restocks frequently used medications and over the counter products in pharmacy areas in addition to operating applicable automation dispensing system devices within the pharmacy
- Receives, transfers, and clarifies oral prescriptions with prescribers or appropriate staff members as authorized by state law and under pharmacist supervision
- Administers immunizations [if immunization certified via an accredited immunization program as allowed per state law]
- Trains, educates, and precepts new pharmacy technicians, students, and interns
- Assists other staff with medication issues and response to email and phone call concerns or follow-up
- This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
- Note: Some of the above tasks may only be performed under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
- This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Pharmacy Technicians may practice at the top of their respective State Licensing Board Regulations.
Licensing/Certification
Pharmacy Intern License – State Board of Pharmacy (required)
Basic Life Support (BLS) - Various (preferred)
Education
High School Diploma or GED (required)
Actively enrolled in an accredited college of pharmacy with an active board of pharmacy intern license (required)
Work Experience
None
Training
None
Language
None
Patient Population
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
Neonates (0-4 weeks)
Infant (1-12 months)
Pediatrics (1-12 years)
Adolescents (13-17 years)
Adults (18-64 years)
Geriatrics (65 years and older)
Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur
May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights
May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*
May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials
May have periods of constant interruptions
Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions
- Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
Physical Requirements
Lifting/Carrying (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Lifting/Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%
Stoop/Kneel 1-33%
Crawling 0%
Climbing 0%
Balance 1-33%
Bending 1-33%
Sitting 1-33%
Walking 67-100%
Standing 67-100%
Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards
Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
Perform shift work
Maneuver weight of patients
Hear alarms/telephone/audio recorder
Reach above shoulder
Repetitive arm/hand movements
Finger Dexterity
Color Vision
Acuity - far
Acuity - near
Hazards
Depth perception
Use of latex products
Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Exposure to moving mechanical parts
Exposure to dust/fumes
Exposure to potential electrical shock
Skills
Medication Preparation
Mathematics
Prescriptions
Medical Prescriptions
Patient medications
Filling Prescriptions
Processing Prescriptions
Dispensing Prescriptions
Packaging
Compounding Medications
Attention to Detail
Training Employees
Enthusiasm to Learn
Active Listening
Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Time Management
Teamwork
Problem Solving
Clinical Pharmacy
Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more
- Benefits offerings vary according to employment status
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com
