Under the supervision of the Post Graduate-Year 1 (PGY1) residency program director and preceptors, the pharmacy resident monitors drug therapy to optimize patient outcome, provides direct care to patients of all ages, consults and provides information to prescribers, nurses and other health care workers, performs procedures to assure the quality of service, and dispenses medications ordered by the prescriber. This position may require working at alternate sites to maximize institutional and departmental goals.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Designs, recommends, communicates, implements, monitors and evaluates, patient specific evidence-based therapeutic plans and documents all conversations and recommendations.
Verifies all orders using resources and clinical judgement for proper product, dose and regimen, potential drug-drug interactions/incompatibilities, patient allergies/ADRs and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic principles advising other healthcare professionals as appropriate. Intervenes on requests for non-formulary medications by providing the prescriber with clinically appropriate alternatives and recommendations.
Prepares and dispenses medications for inpatient and outpatient use in the hospital in conjunction with state and federal regulations and department policies. Ensures medications provided promote safe, effective and efficient patient care and are delivered to the correct patient in the correct location in the most efficient manner within time limits laid out in policies.
Assumes responsibility for the assessment and care of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients appropriate to their age.
Demonstrates effective teamwork by interacting in a positive manner with colleagues and creating a collaborative work environment. Initiates open communication, conveys positive intent, offers assistance.
Provides concise, applicable, comprehensive, and timely responses to requests for drug information while communicating clearly when speaking or writing. This includes delivering effective education and training programs.
Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors and colleagues by following established organizational and departmental procedures and protocols and follows all state and federal regulations. Including but not limited to USP <795>, USP <797> and USP <800> when preparing compounded products.
Co-precepts pharmacy students by developing an active, supportive teaching relationship that provides direction to and engages the student.
Demonstrates excellence in daily work. Engages in improving patient safety by reporting medication errors/near misses, documenting interventions and assisting in process improvement and departmental programs and projects. Provides department leadership with suggestions and ideas to continually improve department operations and patient care including design, execution and reporting of medication use evaluations, review of formulary process, medication or development of policies, performs outcome analyses and assists in overall performance improvement program.
Performs self-assessments and participates in activities that enhance professional development. Takes responsibility for continual education, attends and participates in meetings, takes initiative to adopt policies and procedures and continually improve personal practice to enhance patient care.
Demonstrates stewardship by thoughtful and responsible use of resources including maintaining a clean and hospitable environment, starting work on time, maintaining good attendance, displaying a consciousness regarding costs, supplies, and department finances.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Requires the knowledge of theories, principles, and concepts acquired through the completion of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Acquires Pharmacy Intern License with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to July 1st of residency year if does not hold a Pharmacist License with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to July 1st.
Acquires Pharmacist License with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by September 1st.
Requires the ability to counsel and educate patients and their families, communicate effectively with other health care professionals, assign and follow-up on the work of other employees, or performs other duties requiring a comparable level of communication skill.
Requires understanding of possible exposure to potentially hazardous medications and body fluids and/or contagious diseases, which demands caution and stringent use of established safety guidelines and equipment.
Ability to see objects closely in fine detail and far away. Ability to concentrate on fine detail with interruptions and background noise.
Ability to remain calm and efficient in stressful situations while handling multiple priorities and external demands.
Ability to walk long distances and be on your feet for periods at a time and ability to sit for long periods of time depending on shift and work site. Ability to bend, stoop, twist, reach and must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Ability to type and perform basic computer skills. Able to effectively work with Microsoft Office- including but not limited to: proficient in sending and receiving emails in Microsoft Outlook.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Requires working in a normal hospital pharmacy environment where there are relatively few physical discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise, and the like.
Potential exposure to patients and unknown situations including behavioral health patients. Exposure to chemotherapeutic and other hazardous agents. Exposure to looking at a computer screen for long periods of time.
Requires covering different shifts when needed.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports directly to the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Director.
Position does not require direct supervision of any other staff.
The above is intended to describe the principal responsibilities as well as the work environment. It is not an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job.
Mercy Medical Center's PGY1 pharmacy residency program, accredited by ASHP, builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program is intended to be a broad-based learning and practice experience. Upon completion, it is expected that the resident will be a confident and capable practitioner who will be able to function in a variety of practice settings. These settings include inpatient acute and ambulatory care as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. The program is designed to be broad in scope to allow the resident to gain the skills necessary to function in these practice settings. The residency is also designed to enable the residents to develop strong communication skills that will allow them to educate other healthcare professionals, patients, and the community. The acquisition of these skills should also allow them to further enhance their knowledge through specialized training in a PGY2 residency or fellowship.
