Pharmacist / Rotating Shift

GENERAL SUMMARY/OVERVIEW STATEMENT

Responsible for preparing, compounding, and dispensing medications to patients according to the 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.

Work relatively independently, under general supervision, and within the limits of established pharmacy/ambulatory care practice site's policies and procedures, as a member of the patient care team. Oversees the activities of support personnel, operating within the limits of pharmacy/practice site's policies and procedures, and the regulations of the Board of Pharmacy.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leadership

a. Provide direction and guidance to pharmacist and ancillary support including technician staff in following policy and procedure, taking accountability and ownership of job responsibilities, and promoting professional behavior and attitudes.

b. Provide feedback to the pharmacy managers/practice managers/medical directors for the interim and annual performance appraisal of other pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy interns, physicians, medical residents, medical interns and medical assistants when appropriate.

2. Staffing and Competency

a. Direct and coordinate efficient and effective delivery of all pharmacy services.

b. Prepare, compound, and dispense medications to patients according to the laws and regulations of the Board of Registration in Pharmacy, Department of Public Health Food and Drug Administration, and other regulatory agencies when appropriate.

c. Interpret, clarify, and evaluate all medication orders for complete and appropriate medication information, scheduling, and clinical data.

d. Supervise and verify the accuracy of all work completed by support personnel assigned to the area.

e. Provide drug information and consultation to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals regarding appropriate drug therapy, including drug interactions, side effects, incompatibilities, allergies, medication order/prescription discrepancies, drug stability problems, and drug administration.

f. Identify, document, resolve, monitor, and prevent drug therapy related problems, including contraindications, duplications of therapy, and drug interactions.

g. Manage patients under P&T approved CDTM protocols when appropriate.

h. Evaluate ambulatory prescriptions and appropriately prescribe and send prescriptions through ambulatory care system when appropriate.

i. Perform physical exams when appropriate.

j. Order labs and interpret results when appropriate.

k. Coordinate obtainment of outpatient medications through triaging insurance issues when appropriate

l. Participate in prospective and retrospective pharmacokinetic dosing and monitoring of selected medications and recommend dose adjustments and laboratory monitoring as required to meet patient needs.

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

n. Formulate and compound special dosage forms not commercially available when appropriate.

o. Maintain appropriate records for controlled substances and investigational drugs as required.

p. Attend and participate in daily medical and multi-disciplinary rounds and participate in specialty rounds as needed and as time allows and collaborate with other healthcare providers when staffing non-rounding services.

q. Provide discharge medication and drug history counseling including medication reconciliation when appropriate and develop teaching tools and guidance for staff.

r. Provide post-discharge visits when appropriate.

s. Support research-related patient care and drug therapy by ensuring study protocol medication order compliance.

t. Train new personnel.

u. Perform all other responsibilities as assigned in a complete and timely fashion.

3. Quality and Safety

a. Interpret and implement all departmental/practice site policies and procedures on the assigned shift.

b. Follow all policies, procedures, laws, and regulations set forth by the Board of Pharmacy and all other applicable regulatory agencies.

c. Ensure compliance with target drug programs, formulary management, medication management initiatives, and adverse drug event monitoring programs.

d. Document and report all clinical interventions, medication errors, near misses, and adverse drug events.

4. Technology

a. Utilize area-specific technology, including, but not limited to, robotics, automation, software, equipment, and information systems.

b. Troubleshoot and mitigate short-term issues related to the area specific technology.

5. Education

a. Attend and participate in departmental and change of shift staff meetings, M&M rounds, staff development and continuing education activities.

b. Participate in departmental quality improvement committees, programs, and student/resident presentations.

c. Attend and participate in grand rounds and continuing education activities.

d. Maintain professional expertise through membership and participation in professional organizations and contributing to peer-reviewed literature.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must be eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

2. Must complete 20 continuing education credits per year to maintain license.

* For credentialed pharmacists working under CDTM agreements, an additional 5 contact hours or 0.5 continuing education units of Board-approved continuing education that address areas of practice generally related to the particular collaborative practice protocol are required.

3. Upon department orientation, and annually thereafter, must complete:

Safety Training

* OSHA/Fire Safety

* Infection Control

* Safe handling of chemotherapeutic agents

Competency assessments in areas of:

* Age-specific pharmacotherapy

* Process-specific skills

* Clinical skills

* Population-specific pharmacotherapy

* Aseptic Technique

4. Pharmacists working under CDTM agreements must also meet the following:

* Must have a Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration license, National Provider Index number, and a Drug Enforcement Administration Registration number, if applicable.

* Must keep licenses up to date (CSR, DEA, etc) that are required to perform job duties.

* Must meet and maintain all requirements of the BWH credentialing process (including bi-annual renewal).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Good verbal and written interpersonal communication skills are required for frequent contact and to communicate effectively with members of other health care disciplines and pharmacy staff.

2. Must be able to motivate and supervise support personnel, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students.

3. Prioritize and organizes work and makes decisions under stress and within time constraints.

4. Must pay attention to detail virtually 100% of work time, and have critical thinking and decision making skills.

5. The individual in this position must demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the 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.

6. Must have comprehensive knowledge of pharmacotherapy.

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Rotating shifts or per ambulatory care site's needs where applicable (which may include weekends, holidays and on-call responsibilities).

2. Staffing requirements are contingent to departmental needs and may be subject to change.

3. Continuous mental and visual effort is required.

4. Works under constant time deadlines. Under controlled conditions, occasionally exposed to infectious diseases; prepares and dispenses carcinogenic, mutagenic and sensitizing medications.

5. Standing or walking 95% of the time as well as lifting and carrying moderately heavy supplies about 5% of job duties where applicable.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Directly supervise the activities of support personnel.