Staff Pharmacist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts

OUTCOME:

Pharmacists work closely with other health practitioners to meet the various needs of our patients. Pharmacists review and approve medication orders, monitor drug therapies, and provide drug information. They improve the health of patients by providing pharmaceutical care to individual patients and by serving as a resource to physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. Pharmacists take on charge responsibility and supervise and direct support staff. Clinical Pharmacist must have the ability to work independently with minimal to no direct supervision. They must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The Pharmacist assumes direct responsibility of medication distribution, IV admixtures, safety and efficacy of prescribed drug therapy in accordance with laws and regulations governing pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy by the appropriate state and federal agencies. Responsible for the optimization of drug therapy by identification, resolution, and prevention of drug related problems and improving therapeutic outcomes in various settings including but not limited to clinics, patient care rounds, emergency department and in the central pharmacy.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1.Accurately prepares, compounds, and dispenses medications to patients in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations of the Board of Registration in Pharmacy, the Department of Public Health, and the Food and Drug Administration.

2.Works in unit dose and sterile products area to ensure all medications are dispensed correctly and reach patients within acceptable time limits.

3.Interprets and evaluates orders for accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness while meeting time and volume requirements as well as considering standards of practice and hospital procedures, guides and policies in the context of patient specific factors including but not limited to allergies, labs, genetics, height, weight, PMH, problems, medication profile, etc.

4.Answers and researches routine drug information questions from physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.

5.Communicates with physicians and nurses on medication order discrepancies, possible drug interactions or stability problems. Assures that patient medication profiles contain appropriate medication information and clinical data. Clarifies and recommends drug therapy to the prescriber after consultation with other staff.

6.Ensures proper manufacturing of bulk compounds and extemporaneous preparations not available commercially.

7.Ensure the proper maintenance of appropriate records for controlled substances and investigational drugs as required.

8.Ensures accuracy and sterility of all intravenous preparations.

9.Participates in dispensing and maintaining accurate records and control of investigational drugs in clinical studies.

10.Participates in the department Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Programs.

11.Conducts monthly Joint Commission nursing unit audits and narcotic quality assurance.

12.Monitors patient medications to optimize outcomes in the context of concomitant drug therapy, laboratory tests, disease states and other factors that may alter drug effectiveness or safety.

13.Instructs patients about using their medications.

14.Directs and coordinates the delivery of all pharmacy services on the assigned shift, without direct supervision.

15.Responsible for the interpretation and implementation of all departmental policies and procedures on the assigned shift.

16.Provides prospective evaluation and monitoring of patient drug therapy. Recommend appropriate medication doses and adjustments as indicated by patient conditions. Identifies, documents, resolves, and works to prevent drug therapy related problems.

17.Actively participate in the development and performance of drug use evaluations and other drug therapy monitoring initiatives.

18.Monitor drug therapy to prevent contraindications, duplicate therapy, drug interactions and allergic reactions. Reports all adverse drug reactions to pharmacy leadership and appropriate hospital committees.

19.Documents and reports all clinical interventions, adverse drug events and drug therapy profile reviews.

20.Provide information and consultation to physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, regarding appropriate drug therapy. Give advice on drug interactions, side effects, incompatibilities, allergies and drug administration.

21.Supervise and verify the accuracy of all work completed by supportive personnel assigned to the area.

22.Work in the sterile products area as needed, ensuring the accuracy and sterility of all compounded products.

23.Assist and contribute to the orientation and training of new personnel as assigned.

24.Prepare and dispense ambulatory prescriptions as needed.

25.Provide discharge medication and drug history counseling to patients when appropriate.

26.Formulate and compound special dosage forms not commercially available.

27.Attend, participate in, and conduct continuing education programs and conferences to keep current with developments in the profession and to maintain license.

28.Maintain expertise in the departmental policies and procedures.

29.Complete annual performance appraisal on support personnel, including Pharmacy students as required.

30.Serve as a preceptor for Pharmacy interns and externs.

31.Participate in the training of medical, nursing and allied health professionals.

32.Provides staff coverage, when needed, in areas of the department that the individual has been appropriately trained in.

33.Participates in pharmacokinetic dosing and monitoring of selected medications and recommends dose adjustments and laboratory monitoring as required meeting patient needs. Must be credentialed to perform this service.

34.Supervise the activities of all supportive personnel assigned to a shift.

35.Directly responsible for the operation of a particular service area on an assigned shift.

36.Performs all other responsibilities as assigned.

1.Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (five-year degree program) from an accredited college of pharmacy and licensure to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the Board of Registration in Pharmacy.

2. Demonstrates a functional job knowledge in the preparation and dispensing of medications and intravenous admixtures in the hospital normally acquired in one year of hospital Pharmacy experience, which may be acquired as an intern prior to graduation.

3. Verbal, quantitative, and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with members of the allied health disciplines.

4. Works accurately under stress and meets deadlines.

5. Must have good oral and interpersonal communication skills, to communicate effectively with members of other healthcare disciplines, and other Pharmacy staff.

6. Must be able to plan and coordinate the activities pharmacy staff in accordance with Policy and Procedures.

7.Must be able to properly motivate and supervise support personnel.

8.Priorities and organizes work while under stress and with time constraints. Must pay attention to detail virtually 100% of work time, and have critical thinking and decision making skills.

9. Must be able to set and change priorities, and accept additional responsibility as needed.

10.Must be able to respond positively to new approaches and changes in the work environment.

11.Must have extensive knowledge and ability in all areas of the department including: IV Admixtures, Drug Information, Ambulatory, Manufacturing, and Drug Distribution.

12. Must be able to train new employees.

13.Must be capable to assume the responsibility for coordinating pharmacy services on an assigned shift.

14. The individual in this position must demonstrate appropriate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span of the neonate, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient. In addition, they must possess the ability to assess patient data relative to age specific needs and provide care as described in the department's policies/procedures.

15.Must have comprehensive knowledge of Pharmacotherapy.

16. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of the patient care team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Normal hospital environment with rotating shifts

2. Works under constant time deadlines.

3. Occasional exposure to infectious disease and to possible carcinogenic , mutagenic, and sensitizing medications. Minimal exposure to caustic agents, acids, and fumes.

4.Standing or walking approximately 70% of the time.

5.Performs data entry with repetitive hand movement and visual concentration at video display terminal in order to review and enter data.

6. Mount Auburn Hospital employees must be able to readily adjust to change and handle a rapid-paced environment and the stresses associated with that, while continuing to provide high-quality, efficient service.