Pharmacist

MAIN FUNCTION:

The Inpatient Pharmacist is responsible for the safe, accurate, and effective preparation, dispensing, and management of medications and associated pharmaceutical supplies ordered by authorized prescribers for inpatients, outpatients, and hospital departments. The Pharmacist serves as a clinical resource, provides patient and staff education, oversees pharmacy technicians, and ensures compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Medication Preparation and Dispensing

• Reviews, interprets, verifies, and dispenses medication orders using patient-specific clinical profiles to ensure appropriate therapy, prevent overdoses, and identify potential drug interactions, contraindications, and incompatibilities.
• Contacts and confers with prescribers regarding questions, clarifications, irregularities, or recommended modifications to medication therapy, including dose adjustments based on renal and hepatic function, age, weight, and disease state.
• Compounds and prepares medications, including sterile and non-sterile products such as IV admixtures, chemotherapy, irrigating solutions, emulsions, liquids, powders, and ointments using aseptic technique and laminar airflow hoods, as required.
• Oversees and utilizes robotic dispensing systems and other pharmacy automation to support safe, efficient medication distribution.
• Ensures the safe handling, storage, dispensing, documentation, and accountability of controlled substances in compliance with federal and state regulations, hospital policy, and accreditation standards; investigates discrepancies, supports diversion prevention efforts, and collaborates with nursing and security as needed.

Medication Reconciliation and Clinical Support

• Performs and/or verifies medication reconciliation at transitions of care, including admission, transfer, and discharge, ensuring accuracy and continuity of medication therapy.
• Collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes.

Pharmacy Technician Oversight and Training

• Provides support and professional oversight to pharmacy technicians and other support personnel in accordance with state regulations and hospital policy.
• Trains and mentors pharmacy technicians to ensure competency in medication preparation, dispensing, automation systems, and workflow processes.

Automation and Medication Distribution Systems

• Supports and monitors the use of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) located on nursing units and other patient care areas, including inventory management, troubleshooting, and compliance audits.
• Ensures accurate stocking, restocking, and security of medications throughout automated and decentralized medication distribution systems.

Inventory Management

• Inspects pharmacy inventory to ensure expired, outdated, or compromised medications are removed and replaced.
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels by monitoring usage trends and placing medication orders as needed.

Patient and Staff Education

• Provides patient education on medication use, side effects, adherence, and safety as part of routine care and discharge planning.
• Serves as a drug information resource for patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff.
• Conducts in-service education and training sessions for hospital staff related to medications, pharmacy procedures, new therapies, and regulatory requirements.

Additional Responsibilities

• May be trained and assigned to work in the Griffin Health retail pharmacy as operational needs require.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, regulatory compliance activities, and departmental projects as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy (or higher degree as applicable).

EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE:

Current Pharmacist licensure/registration in the State of Connecticut required.

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled