Job Description

South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is dedicated in exceeding expectations through building relationships with patients, physicians, staff and community. Come join an amazing team of leaders who will challenge and inspire you. Our mission is to make our patients feel like family by going over and beyond and providing exceptional care. We encourage our hospital to empower others, build one another up and continue to grow! We are currently seeking like-minded employees to provide exceptional and quality care to our patients. We want you to help be the face of our hospital as we are proud to provide extraordinary quality care.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist Director, the Pharmacist is registered with the Texas Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacist. The pharmacy staff provide medication and other health care products to patients. The Pharmacist ensures the safe and effective use of medications by providing medication order verification while assessing for optimal drug product selection, dosage regimen design, effective administration and drug therapy monitoring services at South Texas Spine and Surgical Hospital (STSSH) and OPC. The Pharmacist Monitors inpatient and outpatient drug therapies, when appropriate, and works with medical staff to find alternatives when needed, to ensure the best care possible is being given.

Projects a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of patients, coworkers, and facility information and adhering to the HIPAA policy. Reports, in good faith, any known or suspected activity that appears to violate laws, rules, regulations or the SP Code of Conduct. Fulfills annual continuing education requirements.

Personal attributes include the ability to be self-directed; demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change; seeks guidance, direction, and assistance when needed. Works under stress and in situations that demand patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing impeccable service. Fosters an attitude of teamwork and willingness to assist others and does not refuse to perform other job duties as requested. Sets priorities, responds timely to issues, which require a decision, and ensure desired results are achieved by means of consistent follow through.

Patient Population:

The patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 12 years and/or of adult stature. The OPC serves infants through geriatrics.

Essential Job Functions:

Service

• Prevents, detects, and resolves medication-related problems and to make appropriate evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy recommendations
• Effectively verifies patient medication orders for appropriateness and accuracy
• Accurately transcribes written medication orders into electronic medical record
• Appropriately documents clinical interventions
• Demonstrates proficiency in Pharmacy distributive services
• Ensures medications are stored per manufacturers guidelines and stored securely
• Ensures medications reach the patient in the correct form and dose
• Responsible for the accurate dispensing and timely distribution of drugs and medicines for inpatients or outpatients
• Assess and provides quality checks for any sterile compounded medications via contracted pharmacies (e.g., Intravenous medications, Operating Room medication mixtures, etc.)
• Maintains competency working in the electronic medical record
• Communicates effectively with patients, patient family and all of the healthcare team
• Complies with STSSH Customer Service Standards
• Builds rapport and forms constructive relationships
• Routinely contributes to the on-call responsibilities of the Pharmacy Department. Call will be equally divided among pharmacists depending on the needs of the facility and department.
• Routinely works rotating shifts. Hours of duty may be irregular or unexpectedly shortened/extended due to the requirements of the daily surgical schedule
• Regular and prompt work-site attendance
• Manages automatic dispensing machines for accuracy and efficiency
• Assists with diversion prevention programs
• Other duties as they are assigned

People

• Supervises and checks the work of less experienced and less qualified staff
• Provide concise, applicable, comprehensive, and timely responses to requests for drug information from patients and health care providers
• Provides leadership and oversight for Pharmacy Technicians
• Counsels patients on the effects, dosage and route of administration of their drug treatments, particularly those who require complex drug therapy and document the counseling
• Actively collaborates and demonstrates teamwork to ensure drug distribution is communicated and delivered safely and effectively
• Supports and participates in the educational and professional development of the Pharmacy department and Pharmacy students
• Maintains positive working relationships with peers, management and customers
• Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities
• Participates in Employee Orientation as appropriate

Quality

• Reports medication errors and adverse drug reactions
• Maintains privacy at all times for patient and employee information
• Actively participates in practice specific hospital alert response when necessary
• Participates as an active member with Emergency Response Team (codes and rapid response)
• Represents Pharmacy service on committees and quality support teams
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
• Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration
• Protects patients by adhering to infection-control protocols
• Actively participates in the development and implementation of performance improvement and patient safety activities

Regulatory

• Completes required continuing education credits and submit pharmacist license renewal to State Board of Pharmacy on time
• Complies with The Joint Commission, Texas Administrative Code and CMS standards
• Participates in departmental tracer activity for survey readiness

Finance

• Maintains a limited hospital formulary
• Assists with maintaining appropriate inventory levels
• Maintains most cost-effective strategies to meet budgetary expectations

Growth

• Attends pharmacy department meetings and other programs, committees, meetings, and functions required by the hospital or pharmacy.
• Assist with growing service lines and new business for STSSH and the OPC.

TEAM MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS:

Performs effectively when one’s success depends upon the performance and success of others. Functions

within a team and participates actively in meetings to produce results in a cooperative effort. Places shared

goals before one’s own interests and builds relationships with others throughout the system. Derives a sense

of accomplishment from a team effort. Establishes action plans for self and others to ensure work is

completed efficiently. Practices active listening skills in one-to-one and group settings by paraphrasing and

acknowledging information. Displays patience to hear opposing viewpoints, asks probing questions to

increase understanding and conveys understanding to others. Exhibits managing up co-workers and directing

staff to their appropriate leader(s). Supports new strategies, programs and expectations publicly and always

demonstrates a unified alliance with all co-workers. Embraces new staff and peers with support and

understanding.

Physical Requirements:

Work is of medium demand. Visual and auditory acuity and manual dexterity essential to performing designated duties required. Optimal auditory acuity required. Manual dexterity involving the handling of equipment and instruments or needles is essential to performing assigned duties. Physical conditions are clean, neat and well-lit. May be subjected to unpleasant sights and odors, stressful situations and hazardous or infectious agents where judgment as to precautions needed to be taken is essential. Climate control and ambient temperature variances may be experienced and required by patient care and needs of the surgical team. Exposure to limited amounts of radiation, hazardous chemicals or substances and infectious disease processes are a possibility.