Job Description

Northern Montana Hospital

Staff-Pharmacist

The staff pharmacist is responsible to the Pharmacy Manager for the technical and clinical functions associated with the Pharmacy service.  The staff pharmacist provides assistance to other departmental personnel.  The staff pharmacist shall perform major duties related to dispensing, compounding and sterile product preparation.  The staff pharmacist is responsible for maintaining all assigned activities of the department in the absence of the Pharmacy Manager.

(Education, License / Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities)

1. Graduate of accredited school of pharmacy
2. Licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Montana
3. A thorough knowledge of drugs and their actions.
4. An acute awareness of the nature of the work involved in being a hospital pharmacist.
5.  Has knowledge relative to age of patients served.

1. Category classifications have been developed to assist employees in determining their risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  These categories are:

    

   Category I        Employee will have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

   Category II       Employee may have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

   Category III     Employee will not have exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine job

 

1. Assumes departmental responsibility when manager is absent.
2. Assists in the maintenance of adequate inventory of basic drugs, chemicals, containers and closures used in the Pharmacy.  Inspects pharmacy inventory to ensure that outdated drugs are removed from stock and replaced.
3. Provides drug information to physicians, staff and other persons as needed.  Consults with physicians and nursing staff concerning the availability, form, side effects and possible incompatibilities of new as well as currently used drugs.
4. Fills new medication orders for in-patients, checks allergies on patient profiles and enters order and quantities sent into the computer.  Refills medications as indicated by physician’s orders.
5. Assists in prepackaging of drugs including checking of technician unit dosing.
6. Assists in the dispensing of floor stock drugs, requisitions by nursing staff.
7. Assists in dispensing of controlled drugs and tax-free alcohol.  Maintains inventory and proper labeling of these items as required by law.
8. Assists in inventory of Emergency Room drug boxes and crash carts.  Replaces items when used.
9. Assists in the periodic check of drugs stored in other areas throughout the hospital.
10. Prepares and/or supervises preparation of the various stock of formulas which are compounded and supplied by the department.
11. Performs all functions associated with preparation of injectable fluids (large and small volume).
12. Assists in preparation and supervision of all functions associated with sterile topical and irrigation solutions.
13. Prepares extemporaneous sterile products.
14. Carries out drug recall procedures.
15. Becomes proficient with computer system.
16. Additional duties may include but are not limited to, in-service education, floor stock inspection, updating publications, Continuous Quality Improvement studies, drug utilization reviews and drug usage evaluations.
17. Organizes daily operational duties in the dispensing function.  Supportive personnel including technicians and clerical subordinates and under the direction of a pharmacist.  All work of the technicians or clerics are reviewed and checked by the pharmacist.
18. Reviews and interprets prescriptions for in-patients including using the computer system  to ensure that drug interactions or incompatibilities will not result from combining medications.
19. Weights, measures and mixes ingredients; compounds and prepares medications, emulsions, liquids, powders and ointments using such equipment as graduates balances, mortars, pestles and funnels.
20. Contacts and confers with physician if there are any questions or irregularities regarding prescriptions.
21. Filling out of out-patient prescriptions and maintenance of files as required by law.
22. Assists in assuring proper security measures are followed for drug storage.
23. Screens drug orders to assure dosages ordered are appropriate for the patient (including age, sex, disease, drug interaction considerations)>
24. Screens orders for targeted drug-food interactions and notifies appropriate departments.
25. Participates in ordering functions; including inventory control, adequate stocking, price updating of invoices and entering of new drug items into computer system.  Also participates in the maintenance of the charging/crediting system.
26. Performs consulting work as needed in areas such and Long Term Care and Home Health Care.
27. Maintains proficiency and knowledge of new products as necessary including attending continuing education as required by law.
28. Contacts physician or nurse for further clarification regarding any questions about orders received.
29. Maintains high standards of confidentiality regarding hospital matters.
30. Has capability of performing functions of the pharmacy technician as necessary.
31. Performs any other related duties assigned or required by the department’s manager.