ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
- PATIENT INFORMATION
- Assists pharmacists in obtaining patient specific information as appropriate for safe medication management.
- Under direct supervision, participates in the exchange of information with appropriate healthcare professionals and staff
- SELECTION AND PROCUREMENT
- Ensures that medications are selected and procured based on departmental criteria.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of the formulary list and the formulary process.
- Adheres to policies and procedures regarding the procurement of non-formulary medications.
- Adheres to policies and procedures that address medication shortages, outages, emergency and disaster situations.
- STORAGE
- Ensures that medications are properly and safely stored throughout the hospital.
- Stocks or stores only approved routine and emergency medications and adheres to appropriate par levels
- Stores medications under conditions necessary to ensure stability
- Secures medications in accordance with the hospital’s policy and law and regulation
- Stores controlled substances in such a manner to prevent diversion in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations
- Appropriately labels all medications and chemicals used to prepare medications with contents, expiration dates and appropriated warnings
- Abides by recommendations from regulatory and advisory groups regarding safe medication principles, including look alike, sound alike and high alert drugs
- Routinely inspects all medication storage areas according to hospital’s policy
- PREPARATION
- Safely and accurately prepares sterile products using appropriate techniques.
- Employs appropriate precautions when preparing hazardous medications and Chemotherapy medications
- Orders and stocks supplies necessary for the preparation of compounded sterile products (CSPs).
- Coordinates information between the nursing units and pharmacy necessary for the timely preparation and delivery of CSPs. Makes morning rounds when necessary.
- Performs daily cleaning and preparation of the IV Lab.
- Prints labels for CSPs using the pharmacy information system.
- Employs techniques to assure accurate medication preparation.
- Prepares medications in the most ready to administer form.
- Prepares emergency carts and boxes for closure by pharmacist.
- Fills stock exchange carts for OR, PACU, and IN & Out surgery.
- Labels medications according to hospital policy, applicable laws and regulations, and standards of practice to ensure safe, accurate administration.
- Labels medications for dispensing with the drug name, strength, amount expiration date, patient name, patient location, and directions for use.
- Assists in dispensing medications in a safe manner.
- Under supervision of pharmacist, prepares quantities that are minimally sufficient to treat patient’s needs safely.
- DELIVERY OF MEDICATION
Transports medication to patient units within established departmental standards for turnaround times. Assures accurate and timely delivery.
Adheres to all laws, regulations, and hospital policies regarding the management of recalled, discontinued, unused, expired, or returned medications.
Selects and fills medication to be dispensed by the automated distribution system. Removes discontinued medications from the units and ADMs.
Inspects returned medications for integrity before returning to stock. Segregates outdated or recalled medications from pharmacy stock.
Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned controlled medications according to the law. Checks pharmacy stock for expired medications.
- MONITORING
Removes discontinued medications from the units and ADMs. Inspects returned medications for integrity before returning to stock. Segregates outdated or recalled medications from pharmacy stock.
Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned controlled medications according to the law. Checks pharmacy stock for expired medications.
Responds appropriately to medication occurrences.
Understands and takes appropriate action when a medication occurrence is identified
Complies with internal reporting requirements for medication occurrences using the Medication Occurrence Reporting System
- Participates in the evaluation of the hospital’s medication management system for risk points and identifies areas to improve safety.
- Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- High School Diploma or equivalent; Associates Degree preferred
- One year minimum hospital pharmacy experience preferred
CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:
- Maryland State Registered Pharmacy Technician
- National Certification through nationally accredited certification exam
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research. Our 30,000 associates and 5,400 affiliated physicians work in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest visiting nurse association in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education and professional development of our whole team. MedStar Health offers diverse opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfillment.