Summary

The Pharmacist Intern performs the functions of a licensed pharmacist in preparing and providing medication distribution and drug information throughout the hospital and to the primary care team, under the general direction of the Director of Pharmacy and direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.

• Under the general direction of the Director of Pharmacy Services, the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist, and within the established departmental policies and procedures, the incumbent performs the following functions:

• Assists in routine preparation of medications and inventory management.

• Prepares and compounds non-sterile compounds and sterile compounds, including hazardous medications per all ME state and federal rules and laws.

• Demonstrates ability to calculate figures and amounts relating to dosage calculations. Stays up to date with continuing education requirements pertaining to general pharmacy practice, as well as sterile compounding.

• Issues pharmacy supplies to various departments throughout the hospital.

• Performs any task required to provide safe and efficient medication therapy to patients.

• Monitors the administration of medications to the patient and assists with verification of medication orders for dosing, interactions, compatibility, allergies, contraindications, and overall appropriateness of therapy.

• Performs daily clinical chart reviews for assigned clinical shifts assessing therapy and utilization of high-risk medications, intervenes as necessary, and documents appropriately.

• Creates targeted interventions to decrease the risk of readmission, optimize therapy, and improve medication safety.

• Provides updated drug information to providers and staff including cost-effective and optimized treatment recommendations.

• Follows clinical guidelines set by medical staff and evaluates patient history in making clinical decisions.

• Consults with a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and registered dieticians throughout the hospital system.

• Works in both centralized and decentralized roles, including the pharmacy, oncology department, ambulatory care practices, emergency department, intensive care unit, and other applicable areas.

• Provides counseling on new and/or modified medications to patients discharged from the

institution.

• Dispenses medications to the automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) and/or the nursing units with the safety of the patient in mind, per all ME state and federal rules and laws.

• Verifies technician preparation of compounded medication products for accuracy, sterility, and stability.

• Supervises Pharmacy Technicians

• Assists with medication area inspections throughout the organization.

• Participates in performance improvement projects for the department.

• Performs general clerical duties for the department.

• Attends and participates in all relevant hospital in-service programs, committees, and required events. Participates in Pharmacy training programs and staff meetings.

• Exercises care in the operation and use of hospital equipment and reference materials. Performs routine cleaning and preventative maintenance to ensure continuing functions of equipment. Maintains work areas in a clean and organized manner.

• Performs additional tasks as directed by the Director of Pharmacy

• Maintains all required competencies and completes annual compliance courses on time.

• Other duties as consistent with this role.

Job Requirements

• Reports to work as scheduled or communicates deviations to the Director of Pharmacy and Employee Health (if applicable)

• Adheres to Personal Appearance Policy

• Performs work within specified time frames.

• Adapts positively to frequent interruptions and changes in workload.

• Demonstrates sound professional judgment consistent with clinical/academic background.

• Complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, security, and infection control.

• Adheres to health system and departmental policies and procedures. Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

• Works cooperatively with all staff. Voices concerns and suggestions to appropriate persons in a positive manner.

• Participates in departmental and organizational performance improvement and CQI activities

Job Knowledge and Skills

• Individuals must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities and to possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without the aid of mechanical devices to safely perform the essential functions of the job

• Ability to be committed to the observation of aseptic techniques in handling sterile products and equipment, and the maintenance of a stringently clean work area at all times.

• Ability to deliver patient care in a manner that is appropriate to the demographics and/ or specific needs of the patient population served by the hospital.

• Demonstrates proficiency in assessing, responding, and adapting treatment of care to meet the needs of the patient population served by the hospital.

• Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Ability to pick, pinch, type or otherwise work with fingers rather than the whole hand. Ability to apply pressure to object with fingers and palm.

• Ability to express or exchange ideas using the spoken and written word.

• Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication (e.g., in normal office setting), and to make fine discrimination in sound.

• Ability to plan and perform a wide variety of duties requiring general knowledge of policies and procedures applicable for that area. Requires considerable judgment to work independently toward general results, devising methods, modifying, or adapting standard procedures to meet different conditions, making decisions based on precedent and policy

• Ability to establish and maintain communications and positive working relationships within the department and with other hospital departments. Ability to develop relationships with patients, employees, regulatory agencies, vendors, and the public.

• Ability to accept constructive feedback and initiate appropriate actions to correct situations.

• Ability to present clinical findings to a multidisciplinary and make recommendations based on evidence based, patient centered clinical judgement.

Education and Experience

• Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an American Council on Pharmaceutical Education accredited college of pharmacy required.

• Experience:

• 1 – 3 years of pharmacy technician experience  preferred

• Currently enrolled in an ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program

• Experience working on a team preferred.

• License/Certification:

• Current Maine Pharmacy Intern by the Maine Board of Pharmacy required.

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider preferred

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Requires color discrimination and accurate depth perception. Fine motor skills are required including grip strength and pinch grip. Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involve a combination of sitting, prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. Lifting/carrying frequently up to 20 pounds. Visual acuity sufficient for work which deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, computer terminal operation, and extensive reading. Some stress is related to a high level of responsibility for quality care. The ability to speak,read, write, and understand written instructions in English is required.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Covenant Health reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

Standard of Business Conduct

Every St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center employee is required to abide by the Standards of Conduct and to report any activity that appears to violate the Standards of Conduct.