Pharmacy Intern

Job Description

About Company
MyMichigan Medical Center is the specific location where the pharmacy internship takes place, part of the larger MyMichigan Health system. MyMichigan Health is described as a technology-driven organization that sets internal guidelines, such as for cleaning solutions in the pharmacy.

Job Description (Detailed)

Job Title: Pharmacy Intern

Summary & Goal of the Role:
The primary goal of this pharmacy internship is to ensure interns gain the necessary experience to practice competently as pharmacists. It serves as a bridge, applying and developing academic knowledge into practical, day-to-day skills. The program focuses on providing interns with comprehensive experience in delivering pharmaceutical care to patients. This is a 2+ year program that starts with fundamental concepts and progressively builds upon the intern’s education, experience, and desire to learn. The internship is considered a cornerstone of a pharmacist’s education, integrating classroom learning with professional performance.

Key Learning Areas & Skills Developed During the Internship:
Interns will be trained and gain experience in a wide range of pharmacy operations, including:
• Medication Dispensing: Interpreting orders, drug product selection, packaging, and labeling.
• Computer Order Entry: Entering medication and IV orders into the system.
• Inventory Control: Managing pharmaceutical stock.
• IV Compounding: Aseptic technique and preparation of chemotherapy.
• Chart Review: Reviewing patient charts for pharmaceutical purposes.
• Patient Counseling: Providing guidance and information to patients.
• Specialized Dosing & Monitoring: Renal dosing, antibiotic monitoring, parenteral nutrition management, anticoagulation dosing, and management.

Core Responsibilities:

• (30%) Patient Care Support:
• Accurately assisting pharmacists in providing patient care.
• Pulling medications for new orders.
• Answering phones and following through on requests from nursing or other departments.
• Performing medication charging and crediting.
• Executing accurate and efficient cart exchange duties, including medication crediting.

• (20%) Compounding & Cleaning:
• Performing sterile compounding in adherence to USP 797 guidelines.
• Performing non-sterile compounding in adherence to USP 795 guidelines.
• Utilizing universal precautions when handling or manipulating biologic products.
• Conducting daily, monthly, and ad hoc cleaning and disinfection of designated IV room areas using MyMichigan Health-approved solutions.

• (20%) Customer Service:
• Delivering excellent customer service across all areas of the pharmacy.

• (20%) Restocking & Expiration Management:
• Accurately restocking medications and supplies.
• Precisely checking and managing expiration dates of products.

• (10%) Shift Coverage & Support:
• Assisting other pharmacy staff as needed.
• Picking up additional shifts to support team operations.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
• Performing any other duties as assigned by pharmacy management or staff.

Certifications and Licensures:
• Not applicable (N/A) for this role.

Required Education:
• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Equivalent Experience: Completion of two (2) years of Pre-Pharmacy studies in college and current acceptance into an accredited School of Pharmacy.
• Education Specialization: General Study.

Experience, Training, and Skills:
• Required Prerequisite: Must have completed two (2) years of Pre-Pharmacy in college and be accepted into an accredited School of Pharmacy.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully with individuals and groups, interact effectively with people at all levels, and convey ideas and concepts clearly and understandably.
• Technology Competency: Proficiency in Microsoft® Windows is essential due to MyMichigan Health being a technology-driven organization. Employees may be required to participate in further learning opportunities provided by MyMichigan Health.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions:
• Stress Exposure: Ability to handle stressful situations, including public contact, trauma, grief, and death.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Capable of wearing required PPE, including latex materials or appropriate substitutes.
• Mobility: Ability to move freely throughout the facility with or without an assisted device and perform all outlined job functions.
• Sensory Requirements: Overall vision and hearing are necessary, with or without assisted devices.
• Physical Posture/Movement: Frequently required to sit, stand, or walk for long periods. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Exposure Risks: Some exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. Must comply with MyMichigan Health’s bloodborne pathogen and TB testing requirements.
• Mental Acuity/Work Habits: Ability to handle multiple tasks, maintain positive relationships with others, work independently, ensure regular and predictable attendance, and maintain alertness.
• Dexterity: Overall dexterity is required, including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling. May involve repetitive movements on a regular to frequent basis.
• Physical Demand Level (Light): Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 11-20 lbs, and frequently (34-66% of the workday) lift or carry up to 10 lbs. This level also involves frequent walking/standing/pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.