Pharmacist Intern

Position Summary

This position will work under the supervision of the pharmacist. Performs routine duties in packaging, distribution and record keeping of pharmaceutical supplies. Assists in preparing compounded and intravenous medications, total parenteral nutrition products, and chemotherapeutic agents.

Core Functions

• Selects and/or prepares medications, under direct supervision, as indicated on the patient medication orders.
• Places medications in patient boxes or in designated area for pharmacist to review, sends/delivers medications to nursing units as required.
• Investigates missing medication requests
• Charges/credits patients for medications and intravenous solutions as appropriate.
• Restocks unused and credited returned medications.
• Attends to customers and answers telephones in a courteous and timely manner. Serves as a liaison between the customer and the pharmacist.
• Using automated dispensing technology or requisition, restocks medications to nursing and ancillary areas after checked by a pharmacist.
• Adds users to the automatic dispensing technology database as per policy.
• Investigates discrepancies in automated dispensing technology.
• Troubleshoots automated technology malfunctions.
• Identifies medications and other items for reorder as necessary to maintain a continuous inventory of medications and supplies.
• Receives, checks-in, and restocks medications ordered through wholesaler and other vendors.
• Compounds specialty drug products.
• Repackages bulk medications into unit of use packaging.
• Completes accurate documentation of items compounded and repackaged.
• Aids in preparing and labeling of intravenous medication orders including total parenteral nutrition products and chemotherapy products using proper sterile and aseptic technique.
• Under the supervision of a pharmacist, utilizes education and pharmacy skills in assessing and formulating potential recommendations to physicians to help ensure quality and economical drug therapy, and positive patient outcomes.
• May provide information (under pharmacist supervision) to physicians, nurses, and others regarding medication therapy, medication systems, drug product guidelines, laws and regulations, medication formulary, and other topics related to the medication use system.
• Performs quality control activities such as monthly nursing unit checks and pharmacy section checks in a timely manner.
• Completes documentation on refrigerator temperatures, intravenous hood cleaning, and equipment maintenance activities as required.
• Participates in all aspects of medication use, including (1) selection, procurement and storage, (2) dispensing, (3) monitoring of all medications utilized.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be attending an accredited school of Pharmacy.
• Requires current and unrestricted pharmacy intern licensure in the state of practice.
• Incumbents in Arizona are also required to provide the AZ Board of Pharmacy Wallet Card at time of hire.
• Must possess good organizational, problem solving and computer skills.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills for interfacing with all levels of Staff, physicians, patients and other contacts.
• Must have knowledge of computer software, particularly medication management information system software, Microsoft applications and Automated dispensing systems.

Additional Related Education And/or Experience Preferred

• Pharmacy technician experience preferred.
• Additional training in specialty areas (such as automatic dispensing technology, controlled substances and satellite pharmacy) preferred.