Pharmacy Intern

Job Description

Here is the detailed enriched job description:

Job Title: Pharmacy Intern

SUMMARY:

Reporting to a Pharmacy Supervisor, and operating under the supervision of a pharmacist and direction from a technician supervisor, group leader, or specialist, the Pharmacy Intern performs a diverse range of technical, clinical, and support tasks. The primary goal is to assist pharmacists in the formulation, preparation, dispensing, and delivery of medications and pharmaceutical supplies. This role also involves supervised clinical activities aimed at fostering professional development, adhering strictly to established policies, procedures, and federal/state regulations, and aligning with the scope of services and licensure. Brown University Health employees are expected to exemplify the organization’s core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as well as demonstrate key Success Factors including Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Medication Formulation & Preparation:
  • Reviews practitioner medication orders and prepares medications for pharmacist review and dispensing.
  • Performs general operations of automated dispensing cabinets (ADC – e.g., Omnicell) and electronic radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled inventory management solutions (e.g., Kitcheck) for inventory control and distribution. This includes maintaining, assigning, refilling, removing medications (including controlled substances), and generating/interpreting reports.
  • Maintains operating room medication inventory, including controlled substances.
  • Performs sterile compounding in compliance with USP Chapter 797, USP 800, NIOSH recommendations, and Brown University Health policies.
  • Performs non-sterile compounding in compliance with USP 795, USP 800, NIOSH recommendations, and Brown University Health policies.
• Controlled Substance Management:
  • Resolves controlled substance discrepancies in collaboration with other licensed healthcare professionals.
  • Participates in controlled substances inventory management within the Pharmacy and throughout the hospital.
  • Completes necessary paperwork for controlled substance procurement and verifies receipt.
• Medication Distribution & Supply Chain:
  • Delivers medications to patient care areas, operating rooms, clinics, and procedural/treatment areas.
  • Repackages and labels medications for pharmacist review and distribution, adhering to approved Packaging and Labeling Records.
  • Prepares emergency medication kits for pharmacist review and distribution.
  • Manages routine procurement and inventory, including ordering and receipt of chemotherapy and other pharmaceutical supplies.
  • Processes medication requisitions for departments and laboratories, requiring pharmacist verification.
  • Reconciles patient and department medication charges.
• Operational Support & Maintenance:
  • Performs routine preventive maintenance and calibration on all equipment according to established standards.
  • Assists in maintaining Pharmacy records and files.
  • Ensures the Pharmacy and medication supply areas are neat, orderly, and that medications are stored under proper conditions (light, temperature, sanitation, segregation).
• Quality & Safety:
  • Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities and medication safety initiatives.
  • Utilizes approved processes for reporting actual, prevented, and near-miss medication errors.
• Patient & Customer Interaction:
  • Answers telephones and triages calls appropriately.
  • Interacts with internal and external customers in accordance with hospital Customer Service Standards.
  • Participates in pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation by accurately obtaining, compiling, and verifying a current, detailed, and complete home medication history list (including prescription, OTC, and complementary/alternative medications).
  • Documents verified home medication lists and relevant information in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Professional Development & Training:
  • Assists in the orientation and training of pharmacy technicians and other interns.
  • Completes clinical/operational projects assigned by the Director of Pharmacy or Manager Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Services.
  • Utilizes available resources to gain clinical knowledge, develop judgment, and respond to drug information questions under direct pharmacist supervision.
  • Identifies opportunities for improvement related to quality, safety, regulatory, or financial outcomes based on experience.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience & Basic Knowledge:

• Education: Current enrollment in no less than the first year at an accredited college of pharmacy, as a student in good standing.
• Licensure: Maintains current unrestricted licensure as a pharmacy intern in the State of Rhode Island.
• Computer Skills:
  • Solid proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including email and calendar applications).
  • Comfortable using internet web applications and multiple pharmacy/system-wide applications.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
  • Strong customer service presence.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary for interacting with patients, families, providers, direct patient caregivers, and ancillary support staff.
• Work Ethic:
  • Ability to multi-task and reprioritize as needed.
  • Maintains the highest level of accuracy and customer service standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possesses the physical ability to lift, carry, and maneuver medication delivery equipment and pharmaceutical inventories.
• Requires extended periods of work time spent standing and walking.
• Ability to stay focused in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Requires visual acuity and manual dexterity to operate a personal computer, input data into an EMR using a keyboard, and navigate screens with a mouse.
• Drug Screen: New hires must successfully pass a drug screen in conformance with Rhode Island State Law.

REPORTING STRUCTURE & INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Reports to: Pharmacy Supervisor.
• Supervision: Under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and direction of a technician supervisor, group leader, or specialist.
• Independent Action: Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to the supervisor when clarification of departmental policies and procedures is required.
• Supervisory Responsibility: None.

COMPENSATION:

• Pay Range: $17.00 – $27.13 per hour.

LOCATION:

• Rhode Island Hospital – 593 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Work Type: Variable First Shift (M-F 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM).
• Schedule Detail: 4 shifts every 4 weeks, 1 holiday, 2 weekends every 12 weeks.
• Daily Hours: 8 hours.

OTHER DETAILS:

• Driving Required: No.
• EEO Statement: Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.