Overview:

In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

Performs a variety of tasks in support of the daily workflow of the pharmacy to include the appropriate distribution of drug therapy in compliance with state and federal laws and in accordance with FHS policies and procedures. Incumbents are accountable for

1) preparing and dispensing prescribed medications for patients

2) performing compounding of medications

3) providing advice for non-prescription medications

4) taking inventory and tracking medication and supply orders

4) following up on payments

5) performing routine clerical/administrative tasks.

Incumbents may counsel patients on the proper use of medications and oversee the operational dispensary.

Incumbents are also accountable for: maintaining a clean and safe environment; using appropriate aseptic technique; handling controlled substances appropriately; completing all educational modules; attending regular staff meetings; keeping abreast of departmental changes/current FHS policy and procedures and The Joint Commission requirements.

Prepares, distributes and delivers medications in accordance with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guidelines.

• Receives prescription requests from patient floors; provides first line screening for medication order errors, drug or allergy contraindications, and processing non-formulary drug requests.
• Verifies information on prescriptions for accuracy; alerts the pharmacist to patient-specific data indicating potential medication misadventure.
• Processes physician medication orders for review by a pharmacist to include packaging, reconstituting, compounding IV admix medications, and flavoring; Mixes compound ingredients for liquid products, suspensions, ointments, mixes, or blends for tablet granulations and capsule powders. 
• Distributes medication to the patient care areas via automated and non-automated distribution systems.
• Coordinates the workflow of the IV room and maintains a clean IV admixture area.

Performs clerical and administrative tasks in support of the day to day operations of the department.

• Prioritizes and organizes daily work for optimal operations of pharmacy.
• Documents quality assurance data.
• Performs data entry, and record keeping functions.
• Enters required data into systems to ensure appropriate insurance billing. 
• Participates in the on-boarding of new Technicians.

Maintains proper stock levels in assigned pharmacy locations.

• Tracks medication and supply orders and stocks.
• Assists in keeping inventory at acceptable levels.    

Operates and maintains automated dispensing devices 

• May perform general maintenance as required on pumps, homogenizers, filter presses, tablet compression machines, etc.
• May problem solve for operation and maintenance of all automated systems in the Pharmacy.

Performs related duties as required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Current enrollment in an ACPE accredited pharmacy school.

Job Knowledge/Abilities:

• Knowledge of the standards, techniques and tools relating to pharmaceutical patient care.
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements applicable to pharmaceutical patient care.
• Knowledge of mathematical functions, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, basic algebra and calculations.
• Ability to mix oral powders and compounded drugs and to prepare intravenous admixture and other parental drugs.
• Ability to understand and use/apply I.V. admixture, automated distribution systems, outpatient services and decentralized pharmacy services. 
• Ability to understand and apply standards, procedures and techniques to the work assignment.
• Ability to read, understand and communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by the duties of the position.

Licensure/Certification

• Licensed as a Pharmacy Intern by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy.
• Current healthcare provider BLS Certification.