Description

Purpose:
Ensure the timely provision of cost-effective drug therapy contributing to optimal patient outcomes, provide experimental education for present and future health care practitioners, and support drug-related research.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as an active team member, making positive contributions to patient care outcomes and department goals.
• Demonstrate the required attendance and punctuality as scheduled.
• Implement Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee policies including, but not limited to, drug usage evaluation, formulary restrictions, adverse drug reaction reporting and therapeutic and generic substitutions.
• Participate in the departmental quality improvement program in order to continually improve and evaluate pharmaceutical care as reflected by operational and patient care indicators.
• Maintain professional competency through participation in continuing education and staff development programs. Provide formal and informal in-service education activities.
• Assure adequate inventory of drugs and supplies necessary for proper patient care.
• Assist in the procurement as needed, by following established procedures.
• Audit and maintain accurate records for all controlled substances.
• Assure that all such drugs are stored and dispensed in compliance with Federal, State and Department Regulations.
• Support drug-related research by assisting in the procurement, accountability, storage, preparation and distribution of study drugs.
• Design and coordinate research as appropriate.
• Participate in the education and training of present and future healthcare practitioners, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy residents and pharmacy students.
• Provide timely, comprehensive and accurate drug information to physicians, nurses, patients and personnel of other departments.
• Supervise the daily activities and assist in training and education of pharmacy technicians and student interns.
• Assure that the proper drug is dispensed to the correct patient for administration at the appropriate time, and that proper technique is used in the preparation of drugs
• Use computer skills to process patient medication orders/prescriptions and maintain all necessary patient information.
• Evaluate each patient's medication order/prescription for appropriateness of drug selection, drug dosage and dosage form, taking into consideration patient specific factors such as disease state(s), age, weight, sex, eliminating organ function, diagnosis and allergies.
• Apply pharmacokinetic principles when appropriate.
• Consult with prescriber for corrections or clarifications if needed.
• Complete all staff competencies and perform duties of staff pharmacist as listed below
• Conduct necessary meeting with pharmacy team members and/or health care team members to facilitate service changes/improvements.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Clinical Director/Primary Care Nurses/Physicians via handling patient care issues as they arise.
• Consult with Pharmacy Manager as appropriate.
• Facilitate and/or assist with development of quality improvement and cost-reduction initiatives based on JCAHO indicators and department target drug monitoring projects.
• Work collaboratively with team members, other lead technicians, lead pharmacists and pharmacy managers to evaluate workflow and implement service ideas.
• Develop workflow guidelines, policies and procedures, and other necessary tools (assignment sheets, scheduling, etc.) to maximize productivity and standardize practices in the department and/or practice area
• Direct and schedule personnel assigned to their team. Authorize extra hours and overtime as required.
• Coach and mentor their staff through feedback, positive discipline and performance evaluations.
• Coordinate the daily activities of the pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in their area of practice/responsibility.
• Demonstrate a service orientation toward patients, staff and visitors.
• Assure that the proper drug is dispensed to the correct patient in a timely manner, & that proper technique is used in the preparation of drugs.
• Verify NDC numbers of drug used to fill the prescription with the NDC number on the prescription.
• Supervise the daily activities & assist in the training & education of pharmacy technicians & student interns. Provide feedback when appropriate.
• Participate in the education & training of present & future health care practitioners, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy residents, & pharmacy students
• Maintain the financial accountability of the department by assuring that proper procedures are used in the third party rejects in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited School of Pharmacy required.
• Post licensure experience preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Clearances must be dated within 90 days
 

• Pharmacist
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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