Pharmacist

EvergreenHealth Monroe•Monroe, WA

About The Position

The Pharmacist ensures prescribed medications, drugs, and compounded pharmaceuticals are provided safely and in accordance with professional standards and practices. The role includes consulting with patients about drug therapy when appropriate and advising healthcare providers on cost-effective, medically sound therapy. The Pharmacist participates in the hospital’s and department’s quality improvement program and follows hospital policies, procedures, and philosophy of care while maintaining professional conduct consistent with the hospital’s Standards of Excellence. The Pharmacist works with patients and healthcare professionals to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic plans; identifies and addresses medication-related problems; compounds and dispenses pharmaceuticals using aseptic and sterile techniques; and provides medication information and counseling. The position coordinates pharmacy support personnel and helps ensure proper medication storage, security, formulary compliance, and effective pharmaceutical care. It is supervised by the Pharmacy Director and supervises Pharmacy Technician A, pharmacy interns, and IPPE and APPE students. The work may involve exposure to labeled biohazard substances and infectious material. The Pharmacist must comply with regulations and procedures related to hazardous materials, blood-borne pathogens, infection control, and personal protective equipment. Physical demands include standing and walking for most of the workday, maintaining a rigorous schedule, and some lifting, bending, and carrying, including lifting up to 40 pounds in IV solutions.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy.
Current license in good standing and registration with the State of Washington Board of Pharmacy.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Obtain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within 30 days of hire.
Complete yearly pharmacist-specific competencies.
Ability to organize efficiently.
Good interpersonal skills.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Use personal protective equipment as appropriate; document immunization or immunity against hepatitis B and complete training related to blood-borne pathogens.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds in IV solutions.
Ability to stand and walk for most of the working day and maintain a rigorous schedule; some lifting, bending, and carrying are required.

Responsibilities

Interpret verbal and written medication orders and transcribe or verify them in computerized patient medication profiles; maintain accurate and complete profiles.
Compound and dispense pharmaceuticals, including using aseptic and sterile techniques.
Work with patients and healthcare professionals to design, implement, and monitor cost-effective therapeutic plans that achieve specific patient outcomes.
Identify and resolve potential or actual drug-related problems, including interactions, incompatibilities, adverse reactions, allergies, and use without indications; review necessary laboratory data and document actions.
Support the formulary by minimizing nonformulary procurements, using therapeutic substitution protocols, and promoting rational drug selection.
Review cultures and susceptibility data for antibiotic appropriateness and recommend changes when needed.
Monitor drug therapy, including aminoglycosides, Coumadin, vancomycin, and other requested drugs; select dosages based on laboratory results, patient condition, and other relevant information, and take action as needed.
Help prevent drug-related problems with patients and healthcare professionals; document interventions and outcomes.
Coordinate daily activities of pharmacy support personnel to promote efficient use of personnel.
Ensure proper storage and security of drugs throughout the hospital in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and hospital policy.
Provide physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff with information about new drugs, warnings, drug therapy, drug actions, and other pharmaceutical matters; document interactions.
Conduct oneself professionally and maintain a hospitable atmosphere in interactions with hospital personnel, patients, and visitors.
Carry out Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee policies and directives, including medication utilization evaluations, and encourage compliance with the hospital formulary.
Provide accurate, adequate, and timely drug information to professional staff.
Participate in developing and presenting orientation, education, and training programs for pharmacy, medical, nursing, and other staff.
Participate in required and voluntary continuing education to support personal and departmental goals.
Explain the use of products or devices to patients when requested, including Coumadin, insulin, and cardiac drugs.
Apply an understanding of growth and development to assess patients’ age-specific needs and provide age-specific treatment and care.
Comply with department policies and procedures, including those concerning chemotherapy products, hazardous waste disposal, emergency procedures, fire safety, infection control, universal precautions, attendance, and leave.
Participate in the department quality improvement plan, suggest improvements, and document identified problems and efforts to resolve them.
Resolve problems arising during the shift or passed on from a previous shift; document and communicate unresolved issues to the next-shift pharmacist, and refer problems not resolved within 24 hours to pharmacy and/or nursing management.
Participate in verification of patient medication lists and discharge counseling when consulted.
Consult patients about drug therapy when appropriate and advise healthcare providers about cost-effective, medically sound drug therapy.