RELIEF PHARMACIST

Description

Job Summary: Interprets physician prescriptions and medication orders. Acts as a drug information resource to patients, medical staff, nursing staff and ancillary department personnel. Compounds and dispenses prescribed medications and other pharmaceuticals for patient care by performing the related duties.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Reviews prescriptions issued by physicians or other authorized prescribers to assure accuracy and determines formulas and ingredients needed. 
• Compounds medications using standard formulas and processes such as weighing, measuring and mixing ingredients. 
• Monitors all posting onto the patient profiles in order that accuracy, drug allergies, drug interactions, duplicate therapy, rational drug therapy and incompatibilities may be realized and better patient care received. 
• Check patient medication cassettes prior to delivery to patient care areas to ascertain that the correct drug, dosage form, schedule and strength is being dispensed. 
• Prepares IV admixtures and extemporaneous parenteral products under aseptic conditions. 
• Directs pharmacy personnel engaged in packaging and labeling pharmaceuticals. 
• Answers questions and provides information to physicians, nurses, patients and other health care professionals on the appropriate use of medications, drug interactions, side effects, dosage, storage, etc. 
• Endorses policies and procedures of the Department and of the Hospital. 
• Ensures the maintenance and proper operation of equipment and supplies in the work areas. 
• Maintains established procedures concerning quality control, security of controlled substances and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Enters data into the computer system (Pharmacy program) such as patient, prescribed medications and cost and maintains patient profiles and charge system.
• Provides pharmaceutical care to all ages of patients from newborns to the elderly. Understands that there are dosage variations between newborn, pediatric, adult and geriatric patients and knows where to find appropriate information.
• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze and interpret Pharmacy-related journals.
• Demonstrates ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the hospital staff.
• Demonstrates ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as dosage calculations, formulation of pharmaceutical preparations and data analysis. 
• Demonstrates ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Demonstrates ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract variables. 

Requirements

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code standards; appearance is neat and clean.  
• Completes annual educational requirements.     
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state federal and CMS regulations.         
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.   
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.       
• Attends committee, QI and management meetings, as appropriate, actively participates in the department CQI activities.     
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.          
• Communicates the mission, vision, core values, ethics and goals of the hospital as well as the mission statement of the department.   
• Ensures confidentiality of patient’s records.     
• Completes department in-service and returns in a timely fashion.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.   
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.  
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control.     
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices. 

Regulatory Requirements:

• Doctorate of Pharmacy degree or Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent.
• Graduated from an accredited School of Pharmacy.
• Current Pharmacist certification of licensure in the State of Kansas.
• Education in all age groups ranging from newborn to the geriatric population obtained either in school education or subsequent training.