04/01/1984 32720

CHIEF PHARMACIST

DEFINITION:

This is highly responsible professional pharmaceutical work of an administrative nature at a state operated facility.

An employee in this class is responsible for the direction of all pharmaceutical services in a facility, including the establishment of policies, procedures and controls for the compounding, dispensing and flow of narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs, and alcohol. Work includes the development of recommendations for the purchase of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical supplies, the maintenance of appropriate pharmacy records, and the provision of consultative services to the medical staff. General supervision is normally exercised over a staff of lower level pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, clerical and custodial personnel. Work is performed with complete independence within the framework of established policy, laws, and regulations. Work is subject to the review of required reports and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical program by a higher level medical or administrative superior of the facility.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Plans, organizes, and directs all pharmaceutical services in the facility.

Assumes responsibility for 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.

Organizes and supervises the work of compounding and dispensing physicians' prescriptions and manufacturing pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical supplies.

Determines pharmaceuticals practical and economical to manufacture in large volume.

Provides consultative services to the medical staff: prepares and modifies the hospital formulary.

Confers with the superintendent in formulating policy and makes recommendations for the purchase and control of an extensive volume of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical supplies, and new drugs.

Approves requisitions for large quantities of various narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs and chemicals, and has deliveries checked for conformity to specifications and standards.

Maintains meticulous records of the supply and dispensing of narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs, and alcohol; regulates their flow and imposes adequate controls.

Supervises a staff of lower level pharmacists and/or pharmacy assistants performing professional. and routine pharmaceutical work.

Coordinates pharmaceutical services with other units within the facility and with training and teaching programs for interns and student nurses; provides in-service training for subordinate pharmacists in hospital pharmacy work.

Prepares statistical reports covering the operations of the pharmaceutical program.

Participates in meetings and conferences with the superintendent, medical and nursing staff.

Maintains records, files and inventories of all drugs purchased, manufacture-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 histories of patients/residents and in developing drug treatment plans which are consistent with 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.

Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of basic supervisory and training principles.

Knowledge of modern office procedures and methods.

Ability to direct all pharmaceutical services in the facility, including assigning schedules and reviewing the work of subordinate personnel.

Ability to provide consultative services to the medical staff.

Ability to establish procedures and controls for compounding, dispensing and flow of drugs, narcotics, depressant and stimulant drugs, and alcohol.

Ability to have pharmaceutical compounds prepared on a large-scale volume basis accurately and economically.

Ability to prepare budget estimates and establish procedures for fiscal audits of pharmaceutical involves.

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

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Two years of experience as a pharmacist in a hospital pharmacy.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

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