Pharmacy Intern

AHMC Healthcare•Whittier, CA

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist, supervisor, or director of pharmacy services, performs a wide variety of technical and clerical duties for the hospital wide unit-dose drug distribution system and intravenous admixture program. Responsible for maintaining confidential reports, entering, and retrieving data utilizing the computer system, preparing intravenous medication, including but not limited to, hyperalimentations and antibiotics, prefilling patient cassette drawers with a 24 hour supply of unit dose medications, procuring and filling requests for pharmaceutical supplies, and delivering supplies to nursing units.

Requirements

Minimum Education: Currently enrolled or graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy.
Required Certification/Registration: California pharmacy intern license, BLS.
Minimum Requirements: Proficiency in written and oral English.

Responsibilities

Preparation of Inpatient Medications for dispensing by pharmacist: Runs computer cassette fill lists and completes filling of cassettes within designated time frame. No more than 1 error per 250 units during cassette filling as documented on cassette fill log. Accurately fills medications needed from chart orders and labels generated during order entry process. Provides bulk containers for examination by pharmacist prior to dispensing medications which are not unit dose items. Under pharmacist supervision, may perform other duties as assigned by the pharmacist and permitted by pharmacy law.
Preparation of Sterile Products for dispensing by pharmacist: Runs IV products labels and completes preparation of sterile products within designated time frame. Performs status check of IV solution on nursing floors and adjusts times in computer system to minimize waste. No more than 1 error per 250 units during sterile product preparation as documented on IV products log, and no more than 1 incident per year of breaks in technique as documented by sterility testing. Accurately fills products needed from chart orders and labels generated from order entry process. Prepares batch IV solutions and products as needed and makes appropriate documentation in log books. Competent to prepare chemotherapy, hyperalimentation solutions and other specialty products as demonstrated to representatives of management and by written testing.
Entry of medication orders and report generation using pharmacy computer system: Accurately enters orders for medications, noting allergies, therapeutic duplications and other alerts generated by the system and brings them to the attention of the pharmacist for review. Accurately processes requests for missing medications with appropriate charging. Timely generation of medication administration records, medication summary sheets, food/drug interaction reports and others as needed. Minimal incorrect entries (wrong patient, wrong drug, wrong strength, etc) as reviewed by pharmacists or from MAR correction forms.
Preparation of outpatient prescriptions for dispensing by pharmacist: Accurately enters patient information into computer system. Prepares medications for pharmacist to check prior to transfer to patient container. Accurately prepares patient/physician receipts, charge tickets and third party billing information. No more than one error in processing orders per quarter. Under pharmacist supervision, may perform other duties as assigned by the pharmacist and permitted by pharmacy law.
Distribution of medications to nursing units and other hospital areas: Delivers medications and brings back new orders on at least an hourly basis and more frequently as needed or as directed by supervising pharmacist. Understands concept of normal, ASAP and STAT medication orders and is able to recognize medications/orders which require expedient delivery. Handles requests for floor stock replacements either by phone or order sheet in a timely manner and delivers or notifies department of readiness of medications when completed. Accurately reconciles patient account for doses replaced with chart orders. Timely delivery of cassettes for exchange and transfer of appropriate medications from old cassettes to new ones.
Maintains medication stock and PAR levels in pharmacy: Performs assessment of levels of medication stock to maintain sufficient quantities. Documents needs via order book to be entered into wholesaler computer system. Able to order medications using wholesaler computer system and to obtain items from outside vendors and other hospitals. Performs periodic assessment of expiration dates in assigned areas and removes outdated or soon to be outdated medications from stock. Able to order stationary supplies, plastic goods, bags and other items as needed.
Prepares patient billing for all drugs used: Runs billing charges from computer system at appropriate times. Collates paperwork needed for processing by Information Systems. Accurately charges in computer system for items requiring manual entry such as narcotics, surgical order sheets, anesthesiology records, etc. Accurately charges for outpatient prescriptions. Maintains records of items dispensed from department requisition forms.
Communicates with pharmacists, nurses, physicians, ancillary personnel and patients: Resolves all problems within scope of intern responsibilities and duties. Refers problems outside scope of duties to pharmacist for resolution. Accepts direction of supervising pharmacist to maximize work flow. Advises pharmacist on situations/medication needs to maximize work flow. Under pharmacist supervision, may perform additional duties as assigned by the pharmacist and permitted by pharmacy law.
Professional Conduct Employee has the willingness and ability to perform additional duties and responsibilities in different areas of the unit on an as-needed basis or as determined by management. Follows established hospital and department policies. No more than 2 written substantiated complaints representing a breach of policy, procedure or professional behavior since last evaluation. Demonstrates the philosophy of the team concepts. Participates in group projects and staff meetings with suggestions that enhance the work environment and increase productivity. Communicates well with supervisor, reporting problems with equipment, supplies or procedures; requests assistance where appropriate. Maintains confidentiality as related to job responsibilities. Exhibits willingness to resolve problems as they arise. Consistently projects positive professional image through appearance and behavior. Attends 75% of staff meetings or reads and initials minutes. Completes assigned work within normal and customary time frames.
Guest/Interdepartmental Relations As observed by representatives of management, all interactions are conducted in a professional manner. Verbal and written feedback from patients, family members/significant others, medical staff, visitors and co-workers indicates behavior conducive to positive guest relations. Consistent exhibits appropriate phone protocol (e.g., answers phone promptly, is courteous and helpful) Consistently contributes to the team effort (e.g., assists co-workers when need is observed or upon request, offers constructive suggestions rather than complaints). Consistently displays cheerful and positive attitude.
Professional Growth and Development Completes annual safety updates, ethics training, etc. within established time frames. Completes general and departmental orientation within established time frames. Attends 80% of in-service programs. Maintains licensure/certification as appropriate. Under pharmacist supervision, develops clinical skills and performs duties required for clinical assessment and pharmaceutical care of patients (interpreting laboratory and other data and the medical record, pharmacokinetic dosing, hyperalimentation formulation, patient monitoring, etc.)
Performance Improvement Consistently strives to understand, anticipate and meet the needs, expectations and satisfaction levels of patients and other "customers". Errors, inefficiencies and inaccuracies are brought to management's attention with suggestions for improvement. Develops innovative solutions to departmental problems. Identifies and implements methods of controlling costs or generating revenue while providing maximum value to both the patient/customer and the hospital. Maximizes efficiency in all departmental operations. Measures progress against quality goals.
Participate in training of new pharmacy technicians: As directed by management, able to provide instruction so that within 4 to 6 weeks, new technicians and interns are proficient in all responsibilities.
Age-Specific Competencies Neonate through Geriatric Able to recognize age and use proper dosage form. Able to recognize age and question appropriateness of medications.
Department-Specific Competencies Able to prepare intravenous admixtures using sterile technique and laminar flow hood. Able to fill cassettes. Able to prepare chemotherapeutic drugs using all cautions by manufacturer and OSHA. Able to use vertical flow hood.