Pharmacist

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   :

-        Showing knowledge of all hospital policies and procedures including infection control, fire and safety, and quality improvement.

-        Showing knowledge of all pharmacy policies and procedures and participate in their development and implementation.

-        Pharmacist is responsible for assuring that all patients receive safe and rational drug therapy.

-        Dispensing medicines and medical supplies according to in-patient physician’s orders (using the unit dose system as the method of preparation) or according to ASH valid and authorized out-patient prescription or narcotic and controlled prescriptions depending on specialized training provided.

-        Reviews and interprets physician’s drug orders for clarity, accuracy, rationality, dosage form, allergies, interaction, incompatibility etc. Any questions regarding medication orders will be resolved immediately, or within reasonable time period with the attending physician to avoid delay in the therapy to the patient.

-        If the discrepancy is not resolved is responsible for referring the problem to the unit supervisor or head of pharmacy if necessary.

-        Pharmacist will review patient profile to check for appropriateness of the treatment according to patient age, weight, diagnosis and renal and hepatic function.

-        Pharmacist will carry-out compounding of sterile and non-sterile preparations in accordance to training provided.

-        When IV training is provided, pharmacist performs following strict aseptic technique, IV admixture taking into consideration compatibility of the additives with each other and with the main solution. Also, responsible to ascertain that the prescribed flow rate is within patient tolerance. Labels all IV bottles going to in-patients with complete patient’s identification, content (in Mg. mEq. or percentage) flow rate and expiration date and/or time as assigned.

-        Supervises assistant pharmacists and other Pharmacy Personnel in the work area to assure effective manpower and accountability.

-        Provides work direction for day-to-day activities and assures by constant observation that prescribed procedures are adhered to and standards maintained.

-        Preparing stock request from wards.

-        Performs monthly inspection of nursing units and other drug user units to ensure medicines are kept under proper storage conditions, discusses problems with head nurses and recommends solutions to pharmacy head.

-        Assures drug dispensing areas and drug user units are devoid of all expired or deteriorated drugs and remove them to prevent them from reaching the patient thereby contributing to patient safety.

-        Participates in quality assurance monitoring activities including medication administration, monitoring, and prescription review and medication usage evaluation.

-        Reviews drug usage patterns and suggests control when needed; advises his unit supervisor or chief pharmacist on drug usage fluctuations especially Antimicrobial in accordance to hospital ASP and drugs in the emergency list; may as authorized, make cash purchase of critical drugs from the local market.

-        Pharmacist is responsible to providing drug information to all members of health care team. Answer physicians or nursing inquiries regarding drugs. Common duties that the pharmacist may undertake includes:

-        Tablet identification

-        Giving advice on drug choice, particularly antibiotic

-        Providing dosage recommendations for elderly patients and those with renal impairment.

-        Providing information on the administration of intravenous drugs.

-        Providing compatibility information and compounding of special prescriptions.                                                                                   

-        Any questions regarding poisons overdosed must be referred to the poison center

-        Pharmacist is a source of advice and information to all medical and nursing staff regarding new medicines.

-        Pharmacist must maintain good pharmacy stock level and must follow non-available medicines, shortages and out of stock medications. Pharmacist will inform the physician of the out-of-stock situation and will suggest suitable available alternatives.

-        Pharmacist is responsible to providing medication counseling to patients especially those at discharge on the proper and safe use of medications. This can be verbal or written information to include proper use of insulin device, inhalation device medication, indication, common side effects, interactions and proper storage.

-        Pharmacist must participate in medicines safety initiatives.

-        Pharmacist is responsible for providing in-service education to members of the health care team. Pharmacist will teach doctors on topics such as accurate prescribing, antibiotic guidelines and guidelines specific to the emergency department. Nursing staff may receive training on various subjects such as intravenous drug administration.

-        Pharmacist will report drug incidents on the hospital OVR and participate in risk management activities that will attempt to reduce risks associated with the use of medication such as developing standardized intravenous infusion guidelines for high risk-medication.

-        Trains new pharmacist, assistant pharmacist and pharmacy supportive personnel.

-        Performs other miscellaneous related duties when necessary as requested by the chief pharmacist and pharmacy supervisor.

-        Plane tree requirement: To treat patient with compassion and to be person centered care

-        Involve patients, families and caregivers by providing them with education and resources for offering optimal support to promote recovery.

-        Involving patients in decisions and helping them take action to support themselves.

-        Provide personalized coordinated care, and support for patients and families.

-        Treat people with dignity, compassion, and respect.

QUALIFICATIONS     :

Graduation from accredited college of Pharmacy

Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy

License to practice pharmacy in Saudi Arabia.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE       :

Minimum 2 years” experience.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS                      :

Good command of English, Arabic preferred or is highly desirable.

Competence: 

Proper, effective and compassionate communication.

Demonstrate a high level of understanding, knowledge and skills.

Demonstrate expert clinical knowledge through problem solving and decision making.

Interview patient & caregiver to collect pertinent information.

Appropriate conversation with staff & patients.

REQUIRED ATTITUDE TO PERFORM THE JOB:

Positive attitude & ability to work under pressure & time constraints.

Has a positive & specific idea about the contribution planned to be implemented in the department?

Must be able to respect a patient's right to privacy, which affirms that person's worth and dignity, shows respect for that person, and builds trust with them.