Clinical Pharmacist

Overview

Consults with nursing and medical staff on prescription orders, patient reactions and errors or complaintsConducts drug utilization reviews and prepares drug review criteria for medical staff approvalMonitors drug therapies as assigned by medical staff and suggest alternatives as appropriateConsults with physician and physician groups concerning financial risk management related to prescribing

Responsibilities

Quality of Work

Upon receipt of a medication order, always reviews and interprets prescriptions for inpatients using patient profiles to insure that overdoses have not been prescribed and that incompatibilities or toxic compounds will not result from combining ingredients; always contacts physician immediately when there is an incompatibility.Accurately weighs, measures, and mixes ingredients, compounding and preparing medication, emulsions, liquids, powders and ointments using such equipment s graduates, balance, mortars, pestles and funnels; allows no errors.Contacts and confers with the physician if there are any questions or irregularities regarding prescriptions; contacts the physician at home if the need dictates; shows no hesitancy in contactingAs needed, regularly consults with physicians and nursing staff members concerning the availability, form, side effects, and possible incompatibilities of new as well as currently used drugs, always takes the time to clearly explain information to concerned parties.Consistently maintains inventory and records on narcotics and other forms of drugs as required by law; submits reports to director as requestedAs required, accurately dispenses additives for I.V. and irrigating solutions. Mixes I.V. additive solutions as required using aseptic technique within the laminar flow hoodMixes chemotherapies as required using aseptic technique within the biological safety cabinetAs required, may perform in-service instruction, update publication supplements, and act as a medication area inspector.Consistently observes and supervises the work performance of the pharmacy trainees and technicians to ensure adherence to established standardsSupervises inventory of pharmacy stock on a regular basis to determine stock needed and assure use of stock before recommended expiration date; places items to be ordered on the order bookRegularly consults and advises medical staff concerning information obtained on medications, such as warnings issued on drugs currently on the market, incompatibilities of certain drugs or contraindications of drugs or other pharmaceuticals.Regularly surveys medication storage areas throughout the Hospital to ensure proper storage and expiration monitoring.Maintains a cost conscious attitude in the daily function of the Pharmacy ensuring correct documentation of all orders filled and that charges are accurate.Regularly interacts with other area pharmacies in order to lend or borrow drugs on short notice. 

Quantity of Work

Consistently demonstrates an ability to keep up with patient workload and uses supportive staff in an efficient and cost conscious manner.Responds to changes in the work load schedule as necessary; continually uses time in a productive manner - stocks shelves, cleans, orders, organizes, works on special projects.Reports medication misadventures (errors and adverse reactions)Regularly accepts additional work during periods of low patient activity; coordinates projects with the director and other pharmacists.Consistently demonstrates a willingness to help on work that needs to be done; willing to stay late to finish patient care responsibilities.Reports any incomplete assignments to ensure continuity of medication preparation and distribution

Continually strives to make the best use of time during the assigned shift through careful coordination of daily tasks; reduces non-essential interruptions to an absolute minimum in order to complete priority tasks first.

Job Knowledge

Demonstrates a complete understanding of all policies and procedures concerning the responsibilities of a pharmacist as outlined in the department policy and procedure manualDevelops knowledge and skills in new areas of Pharmacy development, such as: I.V. additive program, Unit dose program, pharmacokinetic program, and Pharmacy computerizationContinually increases knowledge of drugs to perform more effectively as a resource and drug information center. Reads professional journals monthly, reviews product literature, consults with vendor representatives, and routinely discusses new information with other staff pharmacists.

Develops the skills of others in the department and may be responsible for the orientation of new personnel, or assisting with the internship of a pharmacy student or recent graduate

Regularly consults with other pharmacists in matters of uncertainty; demonstrates attention to detail and accuracy consistently.

Judgment and Decision Making

Demonstrates good judgment in the ability to organize the work flow, utilizing supportive personnel to maximum efficiency, and freeing up time for the pharmacist to perform more selective and priority duties

Offers alternative drug choices to physicians who request specific medications not on hand or not on formulary in order to reduce the cost of special ordering

Always consults with other pharmacists on duty in matters of uncertainty.

Never makes hasty decisions --analyzes ail relevant data in order to make the most informed decision.

Always carefully reviews the medication order filled by supportive personnel to ensure the drugs and dosage instructions are correct.

Always carefully reviews the medication orders received from physicians to ensure that there will be no overdoses and that incompatibilities and toxic compounds will not result from combining ingredients.

Notifies physicians promptly, via Stop Order Stickers, when stop order medicating has been ordered beyond their recommended effectiveness (usually seven days)

Consults with nursing personnel on most appropriate time to administer medications - especially I.V. additives

Always uses aseptic techniques when preparing the I.V.'s; maintains work areas in an organized, sanitary, and neat manner, disposes of all contaminated material immediately.

Relationship with Others

Demonstrates a good rapport and cooperative working relationship with all members of the Pharmacy staff; responds to co-workers with concern and cooperation.

Always works well with administration and those in authority positions.

Responds to others in the department in a helpful manner - especially in times of increased patient activity

Works at maintaining a good working rapport with all patient-care personnel and other departments requiring frequent interaction - special efforts are extended to physicians and nursing staff personnel.

Supervises supportive personnel in a consistently firm and fair manner; maintains steady productivity through close observation and provides direction when necessary; leads by professional example.

Handles telephone information requests with courtesy, accuracy, and respect for patient confidentiality; receives information and distributes messages as necessary.

Explains information to patients, nurses, physicians, and co-workers in a clear and thorough manner; leaves no questions unanswered and follows-up on information not readily available; allows no misunderstandings.

Maintains a cooperative relationship with other area hospital pharmacies in order to borrow and lend drugs as needed.

Planning and Time Utilization

Consistently coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency during the assigned shift.

Does not allow unimportant interruptions to waste time at the expense of assigned duties and patient care priorities.

Plans shift according to the most important responsibilities, such as: filling new patient orders, reviewing patient profiles and prescriptions, re-filling orders, maintaining floor stock, and re-checking the medications and I.V.'s prepared by supportive personnel.

Assists in other areas of the Pharmacy between primary responsibilities - filling-in with clerical work, paper work; assisting others; preparing reports; working on special projects; organizing, and cleaning

Recognizes and performs duties that need to be performed; delegates duties to supportive personnel as necessary; helps co-workers as necessary.

Demonstrates a proactive attitude and seeks to remedy situations before an accident or mistake is made; assists co-workers that exhibit insufficient knowledge or ability to complete the assigned tasks/duties.

Qualifications

Education:

PharmD degree

Experience:

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

RPh license required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English