Outpatient Pharmacist

Purpose

Pharmacists are responsible and accountable for the provision of safe, effective, and cost-effective pharmacotherapy. They support centralized and decentralized medication-use systems to deliver optimal medication therapy. Pharmacist Specialists participate in all necessary aspects of the medication-use process and pharmacy operations and services.

Pharmacy services include, but are not limited to:

• Assessing patient parameters
• Incorporating age and disease-specific characteristics into drug therapy and patient education
• Participating in the detection, mitigation, and prevention of medication-related adverse events

Pharmacists serve as resources and liaisons to other departments, healthcare team members, or external groups. They also support and/or lead patient care quality and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice. Pharmacists provide medication and practice-related education/training and actively serve as preceptors for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents. If applicable, participation in quality initiatives is expected with the goal of improving clinical pharmacy services by monitoring processes, analyzing data, implementing interventions, and evaluating the effectiveness of those interventions.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and evaluate physician orders and prescriptions to prepare, calculate, and dispense appropriate medication dosage forms for inpatient and outpatient treatment in accordance with the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Practice Act, Federal Drug Laws, and other regulatory organizations.
• Identify and report suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Sustain the formulary by minimizing non-formulary procurements, utilizing therapeutic interchange protocols, and promoting rational drug therapy selection.
• Review, maintain, and screen patient medication records and profiles for allergies, drug interactions, and therapeutic duplications while entering orders and/or verifying medications.
• Organize daily operational duties and assist in the supervision of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy aides, student interns, and other ancillary personnel involved in providing pharmaceutical care.
• Adhere to all regulatory requirements, professional standards of practice, and hospital quality management policies and procedures in providing pharmaceutical care.
• Communicate with physicians and nurses to ensure prompt clarification of orders that are unclear, illegible, or incomplete.
• Provide drug information and/or educational programs to healthcare professionals and pharmacy students.
• Utilize all available computer systems and technologies in the provision of pharmaceutical care.
• Fill prescription orders in accordance with State and Federal regulations, utilizing technological resources and equipment.
• Prepare and dispense intravenous admixture solutions, as required, using aseptic technique in an accepted sterile product preparation area.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ACPE accredited College of Pharmacy
• B.S in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree
• Required: Current licensure as a Pharmacist in the practicing state
• Entry Level – no previous experience required; pharmacist experience preferred

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Pharmacist
• Act 33, 34, 73

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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