Maniilaq Association

01/20

Title:  Ambulatory Pharmacist                                                                                     Range:  TBD

Program:  Pharmacy                                                                                                  Status:  Exempt-Professional           

Housing Priority: 3                                                                                                     Covered:  Yes

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides pharmaceutical products, drug use information and clinical pharmacy services to hospitalized and ambulatory patients.  Assumes primary responsibility for managing the ambulatory pharmacy program.  This position reports to the Chief Pharmacist, and in their absence, the Deputy Chief Pharmacist. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides pharmaceutical products, drug use information and clinical pharmacy services to hospitalized patients on a rotating basis with other pharmacists on the staff.  Inpatient tasks include:

a.)     Daily reviewing of all medication orders;

b.)     Providing medications through a unit-dose distribution system and I.V. admixture service;

c.)     Preparing patient medication histories;

d.)     Monitoring drug therapy;

e.)     Consulting with prescribers about appropriateness of drug use;

f.)      Providing assistance in determining dosing regimens based on pharmacokinetic principles, when requested;

g.)     Providing patient drug use education and discharge counseling; and

h.)     Participating in drug use reviews and patient care audits.

2. Provides pharmaceutical products and drug use information to ambulatory patients including counseling about proper use of prescribed medications; reviews patient’s past medication history at time of each visit and consults with the prescriber about any inconsistencies in therapy noted of the appropriateness of prescribed drugs.
3. Provides services to residents of the Long Term Care; participates in the monthly review of medication regimen in compliance with Alaska State Law.
4. May give primary care, including ordering and interpreting of certain laboratory tests, and provide pharmaceutical products, where primary care protocols have been developed and expertise demonstrated.
5. Provides drug information to clinical and support staff, and participates in the education of medical, pharmacy, dental and nursing personnel and students, including the nursing care staff at Long Term Care.
6. Assumes the role of pharmacy administrator during absences of the Dep. Chief/Chief Pharmacist; to this end, the incumbent, is exposed to all of the administrative duties of the department and may be delegated the task of performing some of these duties, according to interest, experience, and/or abilities.
7. May be called upon any hour of the day or night.
8. Serves as a clinical pharmacy preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students
9. Provides medication and practice-based education/training to residents, students and other healthcare professionals
10. Provides formal education and clinical education in the area of expertise to pharmacists in training.
11. Perform and/or assume other job or work related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Must be a graduate of an accredited school or college of pharmacy.  Must be licensed to practice pharmacy in at least one of the 50 states or a U.S. territory. Due to the necessity of being able to work independently under demanding conditions soon after arrival in Kotzebue, some prior experience in hospital pharmacy is required to assure patient safety and the efficient operation of the pharmacy.  The incumbent should exhibit some knowledge of most aspects of clinical hospital pharmacy, and should be able to compound intravenous admixtures with aseptic technique, and read, interpret and monitor patient clinical records.  The incumbent should possess good observational skills and be able to appreciate findings of physical assessment. Good record keeping skills are required, as is the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with health practitioners and patients in a clear and concise manner. The work demands that the pharmacists be on their feet for the majority of the day with frequent walking and moderate lifting.  Because of the workload, there is some degree of work stress and the continuous need to reorder work priorities, and to make urgent decisions regarding the pharmaceutical aspects of patient care. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit’s policies and procedures.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be considered an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this job, and the employer reserves the right to revise or change this description.  This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the above essential duties ad meet physical demands.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet those conditions.