Job Description

Awarded 'Great Place to Work' ™ Certification Once Again!

Behind every award is a story, and ours is written every day by more than 900 dedicated employees and hundreds of compassionate volunteers who walk alongside patients and families when they need us most.

At Community Hospice & Palliative Care, we’re honored to bring clinical excellence and compassion to every bedside, every home, every conversation. Every day, we serve approximately 1,500 patients living with advanced illness, wherever they call home, be it a private residence, a long-term care or assisted living facility, a hospital, or in one of our nine inpatient care centers.

We’re here to improve quality of life, to ease pain and lift burdens, and to be the Compassionate Guide that families need when time matters most. And most importantly, as the only non-profit hospice provider in the region, we never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay.

Position Summary

The Staff Pharmacist oversees and is responsible for the efficient day-to-day operations of the pharmacy, ensuring that all prescriptions are prepared, dispensed and distributed in compliance with written policy, procedures, guidelines and state and federal regulations.

Essential Functions

• Obtains and maintains appropriate knowledge and understanding of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and Community Hospice Pharmacy services. This knowledge includes the values, policies, and procedures of the Community Hospice Pharmacy and related clinical practice settings.
• Follows established departmental rules, procedures, policies, quality-improving objectives, environmental, safety or infection controlling standards.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the basic pharmacy duties and responsibilities which may include:

1. Entering orders into computerized patient profile for pharmacist verification.
2. Maintaining patient demographic and medication profiles in computer systems.
3. Providing drug information, such as available dosage forms and strengths, costs, package sizes to patients, nurses and physicians.
4. Keeping files, records and communication organized.
5. Answering telephone calls on the pharmacist line within three (3) rings.
6. Repackaging, labeling, handling and storing pharmaceuticals.
7. Packaging medication order for delivery.
8. Using and maintaining equipment and facilities.
9. Maintaining Schedule II drug usage log and inventory count.
10. Identifying and preventing medication errors.

• Maintains a working knowledge of all aspects of pharmacy services identified below:

1. Medical terminology and abbreviation common to prescribing and dispensing.
2. Drug names and classification.
3. Medication order and prescription interpretation.
4. Pharmaceutical calculations.
5. Federal and State laws governing the practice of pharmacy and the distribution of controlled and non-controlled substances.
6. Aseptic technique and preparation procedures for sterile dosage forms.

• Performs aseptic compounding of sterile parenteral admixtures. This includes the practice of aseptic technique, proper procedures for preparing all types of Parenteral admixtures, preparation of the label and any control records, the proper technique for visual inspection of Parenteral solutions and the documentation of quality control.
• Monitors drug therapy to evaluate appropriateness of use, drug, dosage form, regimen, route, therapeutic duplication and/or substitution, and drug interactions.
• Counsels patients on over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications.
• Reviews prescriptions for appropriateness and for possible therapeutic problems, contraindications, interactions and allergies; discusses prescription clarifications with prescribers.
• Provides drug information to healthcare professionals and patients upon request or when determined necessary for the safe administration of the medication.
• Checks accuracy of prescriptions filled by technicians, including sterile admixtures.
• Ensures and demonstrates proper technique and accurate preparation of all pharmaceutical products, including oral, topical and sterile admixtures.
• Facilitates transfer planning and smooth transition to alternate site of care.
• Identifies and acts upon cost avoidance in drug therapy by promoting cost effective drugs and by reducing waste.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently with regard to the functions and tasks for the operation of the pharmacy.
• Participates in the training and/or orientation of new pharmacy employees.
• Interacts effectively with other members of the health care team on a regular basis.
• Facilitates the safe and efficient transport of medications, drug-delivery devices and supplies from the pharmacy to inpatient facilities and patients.
• Operates technology (computers, EyeCon, Smart Cabinet) in accordance to policy, procedures and manufacturing instructions.
• Performs the essential functions related to opening and closing the pharmacy.
• Uses appropriate telephone communication skills, and effectively communicates with patients, nurses, physicians and other co-workers.
• Performs monthly consultant pharmacist responsibilities including review of inpatient charts and physical inspection of the facility modified Class II B pharmacy.
• Performs drug management review for the comprehensive patient assessment and collaborates for ongoing drug utilization reviews with the patient’s interdisciplinary group.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Critical Skills

• Federal and State laws governing the practice of pharmacy and the distribution of controlled and non-controlled substances.
• Knowledge of drugs, drug dosing, side effects, indications, contraindications, and proper administration.
• Good written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong organization skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a team player.
• Must be adaptable and resourceful, able to cope with change and develop alternative solutions to problems.
• Computer use, including: rudimentary skills such as keyboard and mouse, ability to utilize software programs, ability to utilize email, ability to utilize internet.
• Excellent typing and spelling skills.

Experience

• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in the practice of retail and institutional pharmacy.

License / Certification

• Currently licensed as a pharmacist in the state of Florida.
• Currently licensed as a consultant pharmacist in the state of Florida.

Education

• Licensed by the State of Florida as a pharmacist.

Other Requirements

• N/A

The knowledge, skills and abilities listed above are typically acquired through the levels of education and experience listed. However, any equivalent combination of education and/or experience, which provide an applicant with the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job, is acceptable.

This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions required of employees in this position. The organization reserves the right to modify or amend the duties of the position or to require that additional tasks be performed as organizational needs change. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and employment with the organization is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care, including all of its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to employment opportunities and the ability to perform the essential functions of a position. If you require an accommodation to complete the application process, interview, or perform the essential functions of a role, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@aliviacare.com.

We participate in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Where applicable, and as required by law, employment with Community Hospice & Palliative Care may be contingent upon successful completion of a background screening initiated by the organization through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Background Screening Clearinghouse. More information about the Clearinghouse, including positions that require screening, can be found here: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer