Pharmacist (Healthcare)

Job Summary

• The pharmacist provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care through integrated drug distribution, clinical intervention, staff education, training, clinical services and continuing education. The pharmacist is responsible for the supervision of pharmacy technicians.

Education

• Pharmacy Doctorate degree, preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Current California Pharmacist License
• Must possess a current CPR/BLS card that meets VPH certification requirements
• Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment

Experience

• ASHP accredited residency, preferred or significant clinical experience
• Experience providing Pharmaceutical care by assisting physicians in:
• Reviewing patient medication history
• Educating patients on drug therapy
• Establishing desired outcomes
• Assessing patient demographics
• Developing therapeutic plans
• Determining alternatives for achieving outcomes
• Developing drug monitoring plans
• Implementing new drug regimens
• Monitoring patient outcomes
• Documenting medication related issues in patient chart
• Interpreting laboratory data
• Reviewing patient medication profiles
• Monitoring pharmacokinetics of drug therapy
• Monitoring potential adverse drug-drug and drug-food interactions.

Required Skills

• Maintains competency in unique aspects of drug therapy for the patients, including factors related to all patient groups.
• Monitors drug therapy to evaluate appropriateness of use, dose, dosage form, regimen, route, therapeutic duplication, and drug interaction
• Concurrently monitors use of biotechnology drugs for compliance with prescribing criteria.
• Conducts target drug programs and drug usage evaluations as needed and reports results to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Detects, monitors, documents, and reports adverse drug reactions and medication errors.
• Promotes the use of the formulary by converting non-formulary orders to formulary when possible. Coordinates procurement of non-formulary drugs when necessary.
• Maintains and updates a patient profile with demographics, diagnosis, allergies, and current medications.
• Discusses medication order clarifications with the prescriber, documents any pharmacy records, and informs others of medication order changes.
• Reconciles pharmacy and nursing medication records daily.
• Checks medication batch for accuracy.
• Pharmacists provide presentations, publications and other informative activities on drug-related topics to the health care community and general public.
•  Identifies and acts upon cost avoidance in drug therapy by promoting more cost effective regimens, drugs, and by reducing waste.
• Documents clinical interventions and cost avoidance as part of the Departmental documentation program.
• Ensures proper technique and accurate preparation of all pharmaceutical products, including oral, IV admixtures, chemotherapeutics, and investigational agents.
• Insures the timely and accurate dispensing of drugs and solutions from the pharmacy area.
• Responsible for the accurate filling and dispensing of drugs and solutions from the pharmacy area
• Provides drug information to health care professionals and to patients.
• Reviews physician orders for possible therapeutic problems, contraindications, interactions, allergies, and formulary status of the drug.
•  Provides computer order entry for IVs and other computer entry as needed.
• Participates in continuing education programs, meetings, training programs and related activities.
• Ensures compliance with controlled substance distribution and control system.
• Practices in a variety of areas within the pharmacy as required by workload.
• Participates in unit inspections as assigned.
• Understands, implements, and complies with the National Patient Safety Goals

General Responsibilities

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.  Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.  Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.  Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.  Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life  safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.  Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place.  Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.  Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.  Participates in education activities and process implementation.  Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
• The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.

Salary Range: $72.86 - $91.87 per hour