Pharmacist - Per-Diem position

Madison Valley Medical Center (MVMC) is an equal opportunity employer. MVMC shall, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

This job description is intended to reflect core areas of responsibility and an incumbent employees’ knowledge and skill set needed to complete those functions. This document is not intended to catalog each individual duty; employees are routinely called upon to address emerging employer requirements in alignment with individual work units and assignments of jobs. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer change.

POSITION PURPOSE

The pharmacist is responsible to the Pharmacy Director for the technical and clinical functions associated with the Pharmacy service. The pharmacist provides assistance to other departmental personnel and shall perform major duties related to dispensing, and sterile product preparation. The pharmacist is responsible for maintaining all assigned activities of the department in the absence of the Pharmacy Director. Performs all duties in a manner consistent with the mission and values of MVMC.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assumes departmental responsibility when manager is absent.
• 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 Inspects pharmacy inventory to ensure that outdated drugs are removed from stock and replaced.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assists in prepackaging of drugs including checking of technician unit dosing.
• Assists in the dispensing of floor stock drugs, requisitions by nursing staff.
• Assists in dispensing of controlled drugs and tax-free alcohol. Maintains inventory and proper labeling of these items as required by law.
• Assists in inventory of Emergency Room drug boxes and crash carts. Replaces items when used.
• Assists in the periodic check of drugs stored in other areas throughout the hospital.
• Prepares and/or supervises preparation of the various stock of formulas which are compounded and supplied by the department.
• Performs all functions associated with preparation of injectable fluids (large and small volume).
• Assists in preparation and supervision of all functions associated with sterile topical and irrigation solutions.
• Prepares extemporaneous sterile products.
• Carries out drug recall procedures.
• Becomes proficient with computer system.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Weights, measures and mixes ingredients; compounds and prepares medications, emulsions, liquids, powders and ointments using such equipment as graduates balances, mortars, pestles and funnels.
• Contacts and confers with physician if there are any questions or irregularities regarding prescriptions.
• Filling out of out-patient prescriptions and maintenance of files as required by law.
• Assists in assuring proper security measures are followed for drug storage.
• Screens drug orders to assure dosages ordered are appropriate for the patient (including age, sex, disease, drug interaction considerations)>
• Screens orders for targeted drug-food interactions and notifies appropriate departments.
• Participates in ordering functions; including inventory control, adequate stocking, and price updating of invoices and entering of new drug items into computer system. Also participates in the maintenance of the charging/crediting system.
• Maintains proficiency and knowledge of new products as necessary including attending continuing education as required by law.
• Contacts physician or nurse for further clarification regarding any questions about orders received.
• Maintains high standards of confidentiality regarding pharmacy matters.
• Has capability of performing functions of the pharmacy technician as necessary.
• Performs any other related duties assigned or required by the department’s director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education, License/Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities

• Graduate of accredited school of pharmacy.
• Licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of Montana.
• 1 year of relevant work experience preferred.
• CPR certification required.

Knowledge and Abilities

• A thorough knowledge of drugs and their actions.
• An acute awareness of the nature of the work involved in being a hospital pharmacist.
• Knowledgeable of relative age of patients served.

Non-Essential Functions : Attend workshops, seminars, and educational sessions to keep updated on changes in assigned area(s) of responsibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The demands and conditions described here are representative of those the employee must meet to perform the essential functions of the job (see special accommodation statement).

Extensive standing and walking with occasional reaching stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull at least 50 pounds. Very good close vision and the ability to identify and distinguish color. Some risk of radiation exposure. Some risk of electrical shock. Work is in a clean hospital environment. Noise level is quiet to moderate. Frequent keyboarding and repetitive movements.

Supervision Exercised : This position does not supervise other staff.

OSHA CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION

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.