The pharmacy intern assists licensed pharmacists in the preparation, dispensing, and distribution of sterile and non-sterile medications. They are responsible for patient counseling, medication reconciliation, and maintaining compliance with pharmacy laws and safety regulations.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and maintain a grade of 'C' or better. An active and in good standing Pharmacist Intern license is required.
Under the direct supervision of a licensed and registered pharmacist, the pharmacy intern will learn the operational and clinical skills required to become a successful pharmacist. The pharmacy intern will assist Pharmacists in all aspects of the medication distribution process, including but not limited to drug preparation and distribution, medication counseling and patient education, and triaging inventory issues.
Assist with the preparation, dispensing, and distribution of non-sterile medications
Ensure compliance with all pharmacy laws and regulations, including USP-795/800
Assist in ordering, receiving, unpacking, and storing pharmaceuticals in appropriate locations
Maintain inventory of pharmacy stock
Maintain controlled substances records, receipts, and disposition
Maintain Pyxis medication levels and accuracy of medication placement
Perform monthly unit and section inspections to identify expired and soon-to-expire medications
Prevent, detect, and resolve medication-related problems
Assist with organizational tasks on an as-needed basis
Assist with the preparation, dispensing, and distribution of sterile medications
Ensure compliance with all pharmacy laws and regulations, including USP-797/800
Maintain all required IV documentation of all compounded sterile product activities
Assist with answering drug-related questions as related to IV therapy and management in a timely manner
Maintain current knowledge of infusion drugs and therapies and aseptic technique, as well as infusion devices, products, and supplies
Administer vaccinations when applicable if certified
Collaborate with the healthcare team to optimize individual patient outcomes
Perform medication reconciliation
Perform discharge counseling, including first-dose teaching, and drug-drug/drug-food interaction counseling
Counsel patients on prescription and OTC medications and durable medical equipment
Assess patient education and adherence to medications
Develop and recommend appropriate therapeutic plans
Identify and resolve drug-related problems and ensure proper communication to the entire healthcare team
Assess patients' progress to achieving desired medication treatment goals
Perform on-call pharmacy-related duties as required
Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
Complete projects pertaining to: o Compliance o Safety o Informatics o Drug diversion o Drug information o Assist investigators and IDS pharmacists in record-keeping, training technical staff, and working in compliance of the Occupational Safety and Health Act Additionally, the pharmacy intern will participate in ongoing performance improvement projects and will ensure patient care is maintained through compliance with the policies, rules, and regulations established by the Board of Pharmacy, and other applicable regulatory bodies.
Minimum Education Must be enrolled as a Pharmacy Student in an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Failure to maintain a "C" grade or better in all courses will result in termination.
Two weeks' notice will be given.
Grades must be submitted to the Director of Pharmacy Operations within 1 month from the completion of each semester. (Required) Required Skills/Knowledge Must understand basic Pharmacy terminology Decision Making and Judgment - Professional competence and common sense Equipment - Basic knowledge of computer applications (i.e.
MS Word, E-mail, etc.)
Required Licenses and Certifications Pharmacist Intern Active and in good standing (Required)
Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision 2.
Ability to set priorities, make critical decisions, and respond quickly to emergency requests.
3.
Ability to exercise sound professional judgment 4.
Work knowledge: Understands all aspects and phases of assigned work BEHAVIOR/CONDUCT 1.
Application
Attention and application to work-steady, industrious worker. 2. Is punctual and dependable; reports to work as scheduled. 3.
Interest in
Work/Department/Hospital: Expresses interest in work; seeks assignments. 4. Ability to communicate effectively [orally and in writing] PROFESSIONALISM 1. Adhere to institutional and departmental policies. Comply with all requirements related to risk management, patient safety, medication safety, environmental safety and infection controls. Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations 2.
Communication
Skills: Reads, writes and speaks clearly, concisely and grammatically 3. Maintain a neat professional well-groomed. Observe department dress code 4. Foster a team environment and assist co-workers as needed. PROMOTABILITY 1.
Initiative
Ability to originate or develop ideas; resourceful. 2.
Acceptance of
Responsibility: Willingness to accept additional tasks; seeks new and challenging assignments. 3.
Teach ability: Ability to grasp new ideas and methods 4.
Leadership
Ability to lead and train others and get results through teamwork. COMPETENCY 1.
Computer
Displays ability to input and retrieve vital information pertinent to patient care. 2.
Automation
Displays understanding of automated devices and operations. 3. Compound and dispenses pharmaceuticals, including, sterile, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition accurately. 4. Monitor/review medication profile for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, drug-laboratory test interactions, allergies, appropriateness of drug, therapeutic duplications. 5. Provide clinical consultations and clarification to practitioners. Suggest appropriate, cost effective therapeutic alternatives to medical staff, as needed. 6. Document all clinical activities and interventions accurately and completely. 7. Partake in pharmacokinetic services [Intervention] and drug dosing per institutional protocol[s]. 8. Participate in quality improvement and medication use review activities of the department. Collect data; conducts quality monitors and inspections; and maintain logs, records and other documentations as assigned. 9.
Research
Displays understanding and adequately interprets and applies federal and local laws, regulations, institutional policies and guidelines to protect human subjects and ensure institutional compliance. Maintains adequate dispensing records/medication returns and justified variances effectively. 10.
Office
Management: Displays competency in handling routine office queries and back office functions with minimal supervision. Assignments completed timely. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Reviews written prescriptions to determine ingredients needed and to assure that overdoses have not been prescribed under the direction of a Registered Pharmacist. 2. According to standard formulas, weighs, measures or mixes ingredients; and fills prescriptions from bulk stock. 3. Fills bottles, capsules or other package forms with measured amount of medication to prescription specifications. 4. Labels containers, showing identification data and directions for prescription use. 5. Assists the pharmacist / technician / messenger, according to assignment, to include: stocking and maintaining inventory levels in all work areas, delivering medications as well as drug cart exchanges. 6. Assists with delivering, packaging and labeling medication bags under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. 7. Participates in Pharmacy and/or Hospital Committees, and QA assignments as directed. 8. Performs various rotating functions in dispensing, product formulation, and unit dose distribution. 9. Gathers and compiles workload and other statistics. 10. Fills bottles or other package forms with measured amounts of medications as instructed in the direct supervision of a pharmacist 11. Maintains work area in clean and organized condition. 12. Performs other related duties as required. 13. Remains abreast of departmental communications via e-mails, staff meeting minutes, and distributed literature. 14. Fulfills reading assignments. 15. Complies with all regulatory bodies and requirements including HIPAA, NYS Law, JCAHO and Hospital Policy and Procedures. SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Serves as intermediary between patient care units and pharmacy 2. Monitors preventive maintenance of all equipment in the assigned area. 3. Takes suitable action(s) or provides answers to questions of routine pharmacy procedures. 4. Interacts with physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel and must be able to refer questions concerns to the proper authorities. 5. Coordinate the orientation of trainees and new employees to the technical functions of the assigned areas. 6. Maintains all licensures and registrations as viable and current; and on file with the Pharmacy Department. 7. Maintains all Continuing Education Credits on file with the Pharmacy Department. CUSTOMER SERVICE 1. Interacts with patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner. 2. Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural differences. 3. Displays a positive attitude within the department and across departmental lines in support of the hospital’s programs and mission. 4. Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team to facilitate goals and objectives. 5. Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information. 6. Presents neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by position and hospital policy. 7. Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees.
