PHARMACIST (ACUTE/POST-ACUTE)

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Inputs physician’s orders accurately and promptly onto the patient's drug profile to maintain workload and workflow.
• Reviews the order for appropriateness of therapy against the patient's profile, noting and discerning all pertinent information for pharmacy (indication, dose, route, frequency, duration, contraindications, warnings, restrictions, drug allergies, drug-drug, drug-food interactions, drug-disease interactions) and takes appropriate actions to prevent related adverse events.
• Checks for and enforces adherence to the hospital drug formulary and other restrictions as established by the PT Committee or policies and procedures; uses good judgment in the procurement of non-formulary items, e.g. cost, timeliness.
• Contacts physicians, nursing staff or other health care personnel regarding any recommended change in orders, in a courteous and professional manner and provides safe, effective, and cost-containing recommendations and drug information.
• Updates the patients profile accurately with pertinent patient-specific information, e.g., allergy, weight, height, diagnosis, special instructions, etc.; ensures that the patients profile is accurate with important information such as room number, account number, and medical record number.
• Fills and labels medications accurately, consistently and in a timely manner to maintain workload and workflow.
• Demonstrates/ensures proper aseptic and protective safety techniques in preparing IV, TPN and chemotherapy products; ensures IV, TPN and chemotherapy medications are prepared in compatible solutions, correct concentrations, etc.
• Keeps accurate perpetual inventory of Schedule II Controlled Substance when adding to the inventory, signing out inventory, and returning or destroying controlled substances.
• Determines and fills the appropriate quantities of controlled substances for each nursing unit.
• Screens each nursing units controlled substances record sheet for signatures and other pertinent information and takes appropriate measures or investigative steps to assist in resolving narcotic discrepancies.
• Uses judgment and follows policies and procedures in the dispensing of discharge medications and other outpatient prescriptions and provide patient counseling in a clear, easy to understand manner, if needed.
• Ensures the use of Medi-Cal approved formulary drugs for the treatment of patients in the Subacute Unit and Coastside; collects and reports needed information for the submission TARs to cover non-Medi-Cal drugs.
• Ensures that the medication needs of Coastside (SNF, acute, ER, Pyxis) are met on a timely basis and during emergency off-hours (evenings, nights and weekends) according to policies and procedures.
• Ensures that home care orders are processed and dispensed accordingly; ensures orders are covered by third party payors before dispensing products.
• Maintains an adequate inventory level of all drugs, including narcotics, and communicates with the buyer on routine and special procurement needs.
• Uses good judgment and follows polices and procedures when loaning and borrowing medications.
• Ensures that medications are stored properly, rotates stock and checks for expiration dates.
• Demonstrates accuracy and proficiency in the use of the inpatient pharmacy computer system (Megasource), automated dispensing system (Pyxis), outpatient pharmacy computer system (QS1) and the parenteral nutrition computer program (TPN-Plus) and the parenteral nutrition automated compounder (Nutrimix).
• Maintains current knowledge on and demonstration of changes, new features, upgrades, interfaces, etc. of the above systems as it relates to pharmacy practice and operations.
• Demonstrates consistency, accuracy, competency, relevance and timeliness when providing safe and effective clinical recommendations for appropriate drug of choice, dosing, drug interactions, contraindications, etc.
• Demonstrates consistency, accuracy, competency, relevance and timeliness when providing drug information to patients or health care professionals.
• Provides drug in-services to nurses and other health professionals in an organized, concise manner.
• Participates in drug use evaluations, studies and audits.
• Reports and investigates adverse drug reactions according to policies and procedures.
• Contributed to the pharmacy newsletter at least once in the past 2 years.
• Maintains complete, accurate and timely documentation of clinically related activities according to policies and procedures, e.g. interventions binder, logs, etc.
• Demonstrates competency and efficiency in the execution of the Pharmacokinetic Service, the Anti-Infective Management Program and the monitoring and management of parenteral nutrition patients.
• Communicates with other pharmacists, written and oral, regarding important patient care issues to maintain consistency and quality of clinical services.
• Maintains current clinical expertise, which reflects practice at Seton/Seton Coastside.
• Prioritizes workload (dispensing and clinical) and performs duties in a timely and proficient manner to meet the needs of the department and maintain adequate workflow.
• Follows up on pending problems or issues; tends to all areas of the department (inpatient, Coastside, home care, clinical, Pyxis, etc.) when on duty.
• Directs work flow and personnel in an effective and professional manner to maintain productivity.
• Supervises and checks the activities of technicians, interns, volunteers and trainees to assure accurate and proficient completion of assigned tasks.
• Counsels staff in a courteous and effective manner when necessary.
• Communicates areas of concern to the Director of Pharmacy.
• Discusses and contributes ideas and solutions for problems, issues or other developments pertaining to the operation of the pharmacy.
• Ensures order and cleanliness in the pharmacy.
• Completes duties as assigned in a timely manner and according to predetermined criteria.

  QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS

  • Education: B.S. Pharmacy M.S. Pharmacy, or Pharm. D. preferred
  • Experience: Two years hospital pharmacy experience and/or residency training preferred.
  • Certifications/Licenses: Current California Pharmacist License in good standing