JOB SUMMARY:
The major job responsibilities of this position are to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician or a pharmacist while working under the direct supervision and control of a pharmacist in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This position should provide experiences necessary for the intern pharmacist to become proficient in the practice of acute care inpatient pharmacy. This position will include projects and assignments that provide the opportunity to further develop and demonstrate skills.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience: N/A
- Qualifications: Current California State Board of Pharmacy Intern Pharmacist License in good standing.
EDUCATION:
- Current enrollment in an accredited School of Pharmacy or
- Graduate of an accredited School of Pharmacy within the last 6 months and application submitted to take the California exam to become a pharmacist.
LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:
- Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment.
MUST HAVES:
- All required licensures, certifications, mandatory education; along with annual occupational health screenings must be completed prior to the expiration date or by the end of the month in which they are due. Reference the Educational Requirements: Must Haves, Mandatory and Unit Based policy (in electronic policy management system) for the specific requirements for this position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others):
- Obtains and maintains appropriate knowledge and understanding of the Hospital and the Department of Pharmacy. This knowledge will include an overview of the department, the content of the department's training program, and other topics as determined by their supervisor.
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the position to which he/she is assigned which may include:
- Filling medication orders for a pharmacist to check, Omnicell loading and unloading, refills, outdates, troubleshooting, discrepancies.
- Repackaging, labeling, manufacturing, handling, and storing pharmaceuticals\
- Processing charges and credits for medications
- Using and maintaining equipment and facilities
- Restocking floor stock and different types of specialty kits and trays
- Documenting controlled substance use
- Controlling medication inventory
- Functioning in accordance with the operational procedures specific to all care areas of the hospital and in Barlow hospital with respect to sterile compounding
- Uses appropriate pharmaceutical-medical terms, abbreviations, and symbols common to the prescribing, dispensing, and charting of medications in the institution.
- Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs handled in the pharmacy department. These include, but are not limited to, identifying medications that are light sensitive, requires refrigeration, are caustic, or poisonous. Uses reference books and website references for stability information or material safety data sheets.
- Carries out the calculations required for the usual dosage determinations and solutions preparation, using weight and volume equivalents in the metric systems.
- Performs the essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control.
- Aseptic technique and preparation procedures for adult, pediatric, and neonatal sterile dosage forms
- Federal and State Laws governing the practice of pharmacy and the distribution of controlled and non-controlled substances, medication error prevention methods, compounds, packages, and labels drug products as needed.
- Performs aseptic compounding of parenteral admixtures and other sterile dosage forms. This includes the practice of aseptic technique, proper procedures for preparing all types of parenteral admixtures (excluding chemotherapy), preparation of the label and any control records, the proper technique for visual inspection of parenteral solutions, and the documentation of quality control.
- Maintains a working knowledge (for all patient ages) of all aspects of pharmacy services identified below:
- Medical terminology and abbreviations
- Drug names and classifications
- Medication order and prescription interpretation
- Medication computer order entry
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Performs various functions associated with an institutional drug distribution system. This includes, but is not limited to, preparation of medications, completion of dispensing records, procedures that apply to record keeping and dispensing of controlled substances, investigational drugs, non-formulary drugs, antineoplastic agents, and the delivery and exchange of medications.
- Participates in the training and/or orientation of new pharmacy employees.
- Interacts effectively with other members of the health care team on a regular basis.
- Maintains honest and attentiveness to the rights of patients.
- Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
- Triages orders, determines priorities, processes orders and notifies the pharmacist as appropriate.
- Operates automated technology (e.g., Omnicell cabinets, Euclid packaging machine, computers) in accordance with policy, procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- Understands, implements and complies with the National Patient Safety Goals
- Participates in clinical protocols such as aminoglycoside and vancomycin monitoring, pharmacy drug level report, anticoagulation monitoring – all under the direct control and supervision of a pharmacist.
- Performs other tasks as assigned.
The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:
Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence. Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large. Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions. Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members. Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
Participates in operational aspects of the department and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices. Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the workplace. Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting. Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes. Participates in education activities and process implementation. Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.
- Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.
- Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances. Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.
- Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.
- Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.
- Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.
- Occasional travel may be required.
- Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.
