Lead Pharmacist - Inpatient Pharmacy (4350)

Assists in coordinating, implementing and monitoring activities within assigned pharmacy for preparing and dispensing medications, drugs and other pharmaceuticals as prescribed. Assigns duties/activities and the effective utilization of pharmacy staff and other resources. Performs duties of Pharmacist as required.

Essential Function

Assists in coordinating daily department activities in accordance with established policies and procedures to facilitate efficient pharmacy operations and ensure that patient care objectives are maintained. Assists in the formulation and implementation of department procedures and policies.

• Reviews work orders to prioritize activities and promote efficient operation of Pharmacy area in the processing and distribution of medications; expedites activities as needed.
• Schedules and assigns work to employees to ensure adequate service is provided and required duties are completed. Coordinates and makes daily patient/work assignments to ensure that daily workload is carried out through individual or cooperative activities.
• Oversees the work of personnel and functions as a resource person for matters related to drug distribution, profiling and pharmacy administration.
• Reviews medication, prescription and department records to ensure that orders are processed and delivered are performed in accordance with professional standards, practices and established polices and procedures.
• Provides assistance with clinical and technical functions as required.
• Collaborates with Director/Assistant Director to facilitate assignment of new employees for in-service instruction and orientation.
• Assists in the orientation and oversees the supervision of students when they provide patient care, treatment, and services as part of their training.

Confers and works collaboratively with medical/hospital staff and others in a customer responsive and courteous manner, in compliance with iRESPECT standards and promoting patient/customer satisfaction to achieve positive patient outcomes.

Serves as a Pharmacy liaison and resource, exchanging information with nursing/clinic staff and physicians. Answers inquiries; communicates and interprets policies, procedures and standards of practices to staff/patient/family/visitors to promote understanding and ensure consistency in the application of policies and procedures.

• Interprets pharmacy goals, policies and procedures.
• Investigates and answers queries from physicians, nursing staff and patients/families regarding pharmacy services.
• Resolves complaints, conflicts and operational problems. Informs Pharmacy Director/Assistant Director of any problems or issues which cannot be resolved or require intervention.
• Notifies the Nursing Clinical Supervisor as needed to ensure the timely resolution of problems/issues requiring immediate attention during “off” shifts (i.e. nights, evening, weekend).

Essential Function

• Interpreting pharmacy, personnel and other applicable administrative polices, takes personnel/disciplinary action as needed at the time of infraction and in consultation with the Clinical Supervisor or Pharmacy Director. Follows up with Director regarding employee performance, any employee action taken and/or to recommend disciplinary action.

Provides pharmaceutical services as ordered by physician/provider, consistent with pharmacy policies and procedures, demonstrated competencies, and with consideration given to risk management, infection control practices, patient safety practices and departmental activities.

• Interprets physician/provider orders and intervenes when appropriate for clarification or correction.
• Reviews the patient profile for allergies, interactions and appropriateness before dispensing.
• Checks dosage for appropriateness for neonate, school age, adult and geriatric patients.
• Accurately supplies medication to patients. Selects, compounds and dispenses drugs and other pharmaceutical products, including the preparation of solutions for oral, external, intramuscular, and intravenous administration.
• Performs the preparation of drug labels and the affixing of labels to the proper containers; ensures the inclusion of appropriate directions for the timing, methods and precautions to be observed in taking the medication; personally instructs patients in the use of medications when indicated.
• Ensures accurate documentation in performing and processing all orders/ supplies to capture all charges and other relevant information.

Operates computerized data systems.

• Interprets and performs order entry functions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Utilizes computer software applications to obtain drug information.
• Operates computer and related equipment to enter and retrieve information.

Maintains required department records, reports and files for administrative, operational and compliance purposes.

• Compiles and prepares various reports and data, collates and assembles reports and documents as required.
• Generates statistics, computations, tables, or charts as required.
• Utilizes analytic skills and statistical analysis to aggregate data to assist with the identification of potential problems and patterns, trends, establish priorities and recommend improvement activities.

Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to patient/family, department and hospital information. Adheres to established department and organization policies (i.e. HIPAA, Confidentiality, and Compliance Policies).

Monitors and maintains department budget/purchasing records, grants, and contracts to meet patient needs and financial goals of Pharmacy Services.

• Assists in development and maintenance of department’s budget.
• Ensures charges are accurately captured for pharmaceutical, supplies and other items provided.
• Applies cost effective measures and utilizes defined departmental procedures to allocate resources related to manpower, supplies and inventory. Assists with maintenance and care of department equipment.

Coordinates inventory control activities (including requisitioning, purchasing, distribution and charge capturing) to maintain a perpetual inventory of drug products, department supplies and materials utilizing cost effective measures.

• Maintains sufficient supplies of Pharmaceuticals and supplies within the Health Department to meet immediate needs. Response and anticipates fluctuations in supply usage and market availability to ensure that adequate supplies are on hand or that suitable alternative supplies are available.
• Conducts inventory including the maintenance of appropriate controls; notes and reports quality deficiencies of drug products; ensures that pharmaceuticals are properly ordered, stored, kept up to date and protected from deterioration.
• Rotate stock and return outdated pharmaceuticals /vaccines for credit.
• Requisition and orders pharmaceutical and supplies from primary/state contracts and appropriate vendors as needed.