Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Tit

Job Title: Clinical Pharmacist

Job Code: PHARCLI

Division: Operations

Department: Pharmacy

Salary Level: Exempt 7

Reports to: Pharmacy Director

Last Revised: January 2022

Primary Function

The incumbent in this position serves as a Clinical Pharmacist for the Cherokee Indian

Hospital Authority. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of comprehensive and

age appropriate, outpatient, inpatient, and emergency department pharmaceutical

services, and pharmaceutical patient care.

Job Description

General and Outpatient Functions

 Prepares compounds, and/or dispenses pharmaceutical prescriptions to patients in

outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings. This process includes (but is

not limited to) checking for correct drug dosages, for drug-drug and drug-food

interactions, for correct dosage forms, and correct labeling and preparation of

outpatient prescriptions, inpatient dosage forms, IV admixtures, and other

pharmaceutical supplies.

 Provides assessment and treatment to patients with minor health problems.

Provides maintenance care to patients with chronic disease.

 Manages therapy for selected patients in whom drugs are the primary method of

treatment.

 Reviews pharmaceutical orders to assure appropriateness of drug therapy.

 Counsels patients and families on drug use, therapeutic effects, potential adverse

effects, precautions, appropriate storage of pharmaceuticals, and expected

outcomes of drug therapy. Verifies the level of patient understanding concerning

prescribed medications.

 Assures the availability, preparation, and control of medication within the facility

and for patients.

 Transmits appropriate medical and pharmaceutical information to providers,

nursing, and the patient cliental.

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 Provides drug therapy consultations, intervention, drug information, staff

educations, and in-services to all members of the health care team.

 Provides health promotion and disease prevention activities related to drug use

and preventative therapy.

 Monitors and maintains general and emergency drug supplies in all areas of the

facility assuring adequate quantities, appropriate access and control, appropriate

storage, and current dating and integrity of pharmaceutical items.

 Maintains formal records and compliance with requirements of Law,

organizational and/or agency rules and decisions, and internal pharmacy operation

policies and procedures.

 Interacts with and maintains proper operation of automated pharmacy systems,

and technology.

 Other duties as assigned, as appropriate, and as authorized.

Inpatient Functions

 Provides pharmaceutical services to inpatients on an assigned basis. Duties

include, but are not limited to, unit dose and IV additive functions, attendance at

routine medical rounds with providers, daily chart review, MAR review and

intervention, clinical pharmacokinetics services, drug evaluation services,

delivery of 7-day services, 24-hour recall, patient drug counseling services, and

participation in discharge counseling.

 Participates in the operation of the unit dose drug distribution system including

preparation of unit doses, dispensing of same, and maintenance of required record

keeping.

 Participates in the maintenance and proper operation of automated pharmaceutical

dispensing systems. Maintains appropriate stock levels, monitors system

operation, reviews system reports, and resolves system problems.

 Participates in the operation of the I.V. Admixture program. Participates in

preparation, labeling, and checking of I.V. Admixture products, special purpose

intravenous products, and other parenteral solutions as required.

Administrative Services

 Serves on various committees of the organization as appointed, approved, and

volunteered.

 Provides technical assistance in the procurement and maintenance of supplies,

stock materials, drugs, and equipment to assure efficient pharmacy function.

 Supports and contributes to the ongoing quality assurance and performance

improvement program of the Pharmacy. Provides for drug use evaluation, drug

audits, and additional pharmacy functions as required.

 Presents educational programs to staff, other health professionals, and community

groups.

 Participates on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Discharge Planning, Infection

Control, Safety, Medical Records, and other committees as required and/or

assigned.

 Services as a pharmacy preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy resident.

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 Functions as pharmacist-in-charge during evenings, nights, holidays, and

weekends when so scheduled.

 Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when

serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community.

Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.

Education/Experience

 Incumbent must be a graduate of a college of pharmacy accredited by the American

Council of Pharmaceutical Education.

 The incumbent must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor of

Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree.

 Incumbent must have an active unrestricted pharmacist license, and must be eligible

for unrestricted pharmacist licensure in North Carolina. Pharmacist licensure in a

state different than North Carolina is acceptable, however, if a Tribal Direct

Employee the incumbent should be eligible to obtain a North Carolina pharmacist

license within the next 12 months following employment with CIHA. Federal

Employees including commissioned officers may hold and maintain an unrestricted

pharmacist license from any State, and aren’t required to maintain licensure with the

NC Board of Pharmacy.

Job Knowledge

 Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and characteristics of substances,

therapeutic actions of drugs, and the principles of chemical, biological,

pharmacological, and biopharmaceutical science.

 Knowledge of clinical information and ability to apply such information to the

provision of quality patient and pharmaceutical care.

 Ability to communicate with patients regarding the proper administration, use,

actions, precautions, and storage of medications.

 Ability to communicate with fellow health professionals regarding patient care and

pharmaceutical information and intervention.

 Requires Age Specific Competency.

 Position requires maintenance of active and valid driver’s license.

Complexity of Duties

The work often requires many different and unrelated processes. Decisions regarding

what needs to be done includes the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in

approach and incomplete or conflicting data. The work requires independent judgment

wherein error could result in serious injury or death to a patient. Prior to dispensing of

medications, reviews the patient’s medical record for therapeutic appropriateness

including diagnosis/treatment, patient allergy screening, and screening of drug interaction

potential Suggests alternative therapies when appropriate.

Supervision Received

 The position is under the direction of the Director of Pharmacy, or other Pharmacy

Supervisor as assigned by the Director of Pharmacy

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 The incumbent operates relatively independently in the performance of usual,

customary, and clinical pharmaceutical services. The incumbent will have the

authority to make final decisions about technical aspects related to the provision of

pharmaceutical services.

 Unusual and/or non-routine situations are to be referred to the Director of Pharmacy

Services or designated Supervisor.

 The incumbent aids in the maintenance of the overall integrity of the program.

 Additional policy and procedure guidance is received through the higher grade

supervisor, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual,

Service Unit policies and procedures, Indian Health Service policies, and JCAHO

guidelines and directives.

Mental/Visual/Physical

Job duties can be mentally, emotionally, and physically stressful at times. The work

requires balancing multiple priorities in a busy, rapid paced, work environment while

attending to patient safety. The job is subject to frequent interruptions, which can cause

distractions and potential for error. Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit,

reach, bend, and lift. The job requires visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to

speak and hear clearly. Repetitive activities will occur with the use of typewriter and/or

computer keyboards and preparation of pharmaceutical prescriptions. May occasionally

lift more than 15 pounds.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Errors in this position would be difficult to detect and can have adverse effects on the

health of individuals, groups, and families. Errors can place the pharmacy at risk for

substantial legal and financial liability. Undetected and unresolved errors can result in a

range from minimal to life threatening patient consequences.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by

demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values.

Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out

opportunities to be of service.

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