04/01/1984 32710

PHARMACIST

DEFINITION:

This is professional pharmaceutical work of a staff or clinical nature at a state-operated facility.

An employee in this class compounds and dispenses physicians' prescriptions, including a variety of ointments, powders, solutions, medicines, drugs, and other pharmaceutical supplies used in the facility. Work includes the filling of ward requisitions for narcotics, solutions and drug supplies, and the maintenance of accurate records of narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs and alcohol dispensed. Employees review the medication records of patients and report potential adverse drug interactions. Work may include participating with doctors, nurses and other professional personnel as a member of an inter-disciplinary treatment team charged with the responsibility of developing a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient/resident at the facility. The employee may direct the work of pharmacy assistants and custodial or non-technical personnel. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level pharmacist who reviews work periodically for accuracy and adherence to facility policies and procedures and professional standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Compounds and dispenses physicians' prescriptions and manufacturers' pharmaceuticals such as ointments, powers, solutions, tinctures, elixirs, and syrups in large quantities.

Participates in the fiscal audit and processing of pharmaceutical invoices, making determinations about pharmaceutical cost accounting and volume procurement and dispensing, in conjunction with the superintendent or business manager.

Takes periodic inventories of pharmaceutical supplies; prepares requisitions, records, and inventories of drugs, chemicals, antibiotics, biologicals, and other pharmaceutical preparations.

Mixes solutions intended for parenteral administration, intravenous therapy, blood transfusions, and local anesthetics.

Maintains meticulous records of the supply and dispensing of narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs, and alcohol.

Confers with administrative superiors and makes recommendations regarding the purchase and control of new drugs and supplies.

Furnishes information concerning medications, routines, procedures, and services of the pharmacy to physicians and nurses; prepares and modifies the hospital formulary.

Participates in patient education programs by instructing patients in the procedures for obtaining medication after discharge, teaching patients about the name and strength of a medication, and explaining when and how a medication should be administered.

Instructs assistants performing routine pharmaceutical work.

Provides in-service training programs for facility personnel by furnishing general information about the routines, procedures, services, and medications of the pharmacy to physicians and nurses, and instructs personnel on such topics as the proper procedures for the dispensing of medication and the appropriate techniques for observing and reporting adverse reactions to different drug therapies.

Keeps records, prepares reports, and maintains files on all drugs purchased, manufactured, compounded, stored, and dispensed; maintains separate records on specific drugs in conformity with state and Federal laws.

Reviews the medication records of patients/residents.

Reports observations of responses to drug therapy, adverse reactions, and over and under utilization of drugs to physician; notes observations in patient/resident record.

Participates, as appropriate, in clinical rounds, treatment team meetings and conferences.

Assists, as appropriate, in developing drug treatment plans which are consistent with the physician's orders for the patient/resident.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of pharmacy and pharmacology and their application in the operation of a pharmaceutical laboratory.

Knowledge of Federal and state laws regulating the practice of pharmacy.

Knowledge of pharmaceutical economics.

Ability to prepare pharmaceutical compounds on a volume basis accurately and economically.

Ability to instruct supportive personnel assigned to assist in the work.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Ability to maintain perpetual inventory records, prepare reports, and impose adequate controls over the supply, dispensing, and flow of narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs, and alcohol.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a license to practice pharmacy as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy.