Pharmacist Intern - Congress - Pharmacy

JOB PURPOSE: The Pharmacist Intern as part of an interdisciplinary health care team is responsible for providing high quality pharmaceutical patient care and services to El Rio Health patients at a clinic location assigned by management.  Under the direct supervision of a Pharmacist, the Pharmacist Intern is responsible for disbursing medications and drugs prescribed by physicians and other health care practitioners, and for providing counseling and information to patients and staff about limited medications and their use.  

The Pharmacist Intern in this position works under the direct supervision of a Pharmacist and has limited discretion or judgment authority with regard to matters of significance in respect to pharmaceutical patient care. The Pharmacist Intern brings to  the attention of the Pharmacist any work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures for which the Pharmacist Intern and Pharmacists are responsible  within the scope of authority as defined by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy and the policies and procedures of El Rio Health.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Performs and/or completes all assigned pharmaceutical care and administrative duties or responsibilities supporting pharmacy operations within established time frames
• Meets established rates of performance for the quality and quantity of work.
• Demonstrates a level of quality, efficiency, and accuracy that ensures the highest standards of excellence.
• Maintains at all times patient confidentiality by controlling the environment and information being disclosed to individuals ensuring compliance with all HIPAA and corporate compliance standards.
• Provides patient counseling, drug information, drug therapy consultation, health promotion and disease prevention related to medication use;
• Counsels’ health care providers regarding drug interactions, indications, drug dosage and side effects.
• Under the direct supervision of the Pharmacist, provides high quality pharmaceutical care to patients in a timely and efficient manner by:

• Serving as a drug information resource to patients, providers and internal clients on medication related questions or matters
• Communicates with and verifies a patient’s understanding of medications and desired outcomes of the drug therapy
• Reviews and ensures the appropriateness of drug therapy, collaborating with health care team members.

• Coordinates, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, for final verification of prescriptions and medications being dispensed by:

• Evaluating appropriate drug dosing
• Evaluating drug and food interactions
• Evaluating appropriateness of drug therapy
• Providing effective patient counseling
• Clinical interventions
• Medication therapy management
• Making decisions regarding generic and therapeutic substitutions
• Evaluating therapeutic substitutions secondary to formulary requirements

• Complies with policies and procedures related to pharmacy operations by:

• Complying with receiving, filling, dispensing, logging, and loss prevention controls for medications within the pharmacy
• Implementation and compliance with environmental, safety, and infection control standards by pharmacy staff

• Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, infection prevention and control etc. for this position.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Certification (JCC) standards.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Currently attending an accredited College of Pharmacy.

If applicable, equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, and must be directly related to the functions and responsibilities of the job.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:

• A current Pharmacist Intern License in accordance with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy requirements.
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers.
• Level I fingerprint clearance card: current valid and in good standing or have applied for it within seven   working days after beginning employment.
• Employees in this position may be required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday.  If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver’s license and must be in compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish with the ability to speak, read and write, in both languages. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices to perform the essential functions of the job.

 El Rio Health does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

El Rio Health requires all AZ employees to have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance card. A.R.S. 36.425.03. New hires and transfers must submit their fingerprint clearance card or fingerprint receipt before their hire date or transfer date. Level One (1) Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance card must be received within 30 days after the new employee hire date or transfer date.

 All employees are strongly recommended to obtain and maintain vaccination status (i.e., as recommended by CDC and/or other public health agencies) to include an Influenza vaccination. Subject to exemptions and accommodations when required by law. (Policy: Adm-016 & Adm-045).

 All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive.

 El Rio Health is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards. El Rio Health is an equal opportunity employer.