Clinical Pharmacist

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.

• Reviews prescriptions and orders 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.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical / health care errors.
• Prepares IV admixtures and extemporaneous parenteral products under aseptic conditions.
• Directs Pharmacy Department personnel engaged in admixing, packaging and labeling pharmaceuticals.
• Verifies all pharmaceuticals prepared and delivered by pharmacy technicians (or any other appropriate personnel) to locations for (medical cabinet) storage or immediate administration is safe and effective for patient use.
• Answers questions, provides information and recommendations to physicians, nurses, patients and other healthcare professionals on the appropriate use of medications, drug interactions, side effects, dosage, storage, etc.
• Assists in patient medication evaluation, including utilization review, dosing evaluation and the appropriate use of medications.
• Assists in teaching programs (departmental, medical, nursing, community).
• 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 appropriate patient information, prescribed medications and cost, and helps to maintain patient profiles and charge system.
• Instructs students and other medical personnel on matters pertaining to the Pharmacy Department.
• Reviews and monitors drug therapy that requires dosing adjustments as authorized by the physician.
• 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.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious / spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Assists the Pharmacy Manager and Director of Clinical Services and Pharmacy on special assignments.
• Responds appropriately to acute illness situations, specifically in cardiac arrest in the form of Code Blue circumstances.
• Supervises at least one to two (1-2) members of the Pharmacy Department staff on a regular basis (at least daily).
• Assists the Pharmacy Director with responsibilities in accordance with the organizations mission, policy and any applicable laws.
• May assist in the hiring process of pharmacy personnel, including interviews, training, planning, assigning and directing work, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• 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 write articles for publication and ability to effectively present information to management, medical staff, hospital staff and public groups.
• Demonstrates ability apply necessary advanced mathematical concepts, such as exponents and logarithms.
• 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.

Education Requirements :

BLS and ACLS certifications must be maintained.