Pharmacy Intern - Casual - Evenings/Weekends

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Council Bluffs, IA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Intern assists with pharmacy department activities that do not require the professional judgment of a pharmacist. The position is based at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The employee works one evening shift and one weekend shift per week: an evening shift from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and a weekend shift from either 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The intern supports sterile compounding, central pharmacy operations, medication distribution to patient care units, medication reconciliation, inventory, and related pharmacy services. Activities are performed under pharmacist oversight and in accordance with established procedures and applicable guidelines. The employee may also perform other related duties assigned to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Requirements

Be enrolled in a nationally recognized College of Pharmacy.
Be at least 18 years old and have no current drug or alcohol addiction or convictions for a drug-related misdemeanor or felony, in accordance with applicable Nebraska or Iowa requirements.
Be registered as a Pharmacy Intern (RPHI) with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services or Iowa Board of Pharmacy for the state of work at the start of employment.
Possess a thorough knowledge base and proficiency needed to follow pharmacy-service procedures and objectives, including general basic chemistry, arithmetic, basic algebra, reading, and writing.
Communicate effectively with hospital personnel, patients, and the public through daily rounds and meetings.
Have basic computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook and Word.
Be able to interpret and evaluate medication requests for triage to a pharmacist.
Be able to prioritize time and tasks according to patient needs without prompting.
Meet the physical demands of Medium Work, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force alone or up to 100 pounds with assistance from a second person; cabinets taller than 60 inches require two individuals to move.
Perform occasional balancing, crouching, lifting, pulling or pushing, sitting, stooping or bending, and twisting; frequent carrying, color distinction, grasping, keyboarding or typing, reaching, repetitive motions, speaking, standing, and walking; and constant hearing and seeing or visual activity.
Safely handle and deliver hazardous drugs.

Nice To Haves

Some experience in a hospital and/or retail pharmacy is preferred.

Responsibilities

Pass sterile compounding competencies and manage sterile product workflow.
Perform aseptic technique and prepare intravenous admixtures according to internal procedures and USP 797 and 800 guidelines.
Clean the compounding suite according to USP 797 procedures and document cleaning.
Maintain medication and supply stock in IV and sterile compounding areas, including awareness of backup stock.
Compound, package, and label drug products; prepare admixture labels; visually inspect admixtures; and document quality control.
Answer telephone calls respectfully and complete necessary follow-up.
Manage the Unit Dose area and Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), and operate pharmacy equipment such as carousels and unit-dose packagers.
Operate the Controlled Substance system and complete associated paperwork; follow controlled-substance distribution, storage, charging, reconciliation, and recordkeeping procedures for ADC and non-ADC transactions.
Ensure crash carts and other kits or trays are addressed and filled before the end of the shift.
Prepare, package, and label extemporaneous unit-dose products, pre-package medications unavailable in unit dose, and prepare other extemporaneous labels according to standardized labeling policy.
Perform duties associated with institutional drug distribution systems, including using dispensing and compounding automation, viewing medication orders in the EHR, and preparing patient medications.
Prepare medications and deliver them accurately to ADCs and patient care units to prevent medication variances and outdated stock.
Fill scheduled and as-needed patient medications when they are not stocked in an ADC; deliver medications to the appropriate place in the nursing unit; and consult a pharmacist as needed about items to load in ADCs.
Complete ADC pending transactions and loads before the end of the shift; check credits each shift, return them to pharmacy, and put them in the proper location.
Conduct monthly nursing unit or floor inspections and check ADCs, code carts, and pharmacy stock for outdated drugs.
Communicate medication issues and pending transactions to the pharmacy team for completion.
Participate in training and orientation of new pharmacy employees.
Help maintain sufficient medication and supply inventory throughout the Pharmacy Department.
Safely handle and deliver hazardous drugs.
Enter charges and credits into the computer system.
Complete orders through delivery, including visual inspections while staffing, and follow pharmacy operating policies and procedures.
Respect pharmacist oversight, act in the patient’s best interest, follow safety alerts and codes, work as a team, and meet customer service expectations in the Employee Standards of Behavior.
Interview patients or their families to compile accurate medication histories, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications taken before admission, last doses, allergies, and preferred pharmacy.
Contact physicians’ offices or pharmacies to compile accurate medication lists and accurately transcribe medication history information into the EHR.