Job Summary:    Clinical pharmacists responds to Clinical consults by physicians and helps support and maintain clinical pharmacy program.  Clinical pharmacists supervise and direct supportive personnel involved in clinical activities. In the absence of the pharmacy manager, a clinical pharmacist may be required to assume the essential responsibilities and perform the duties of the pharmacy manager.

Reports To:          Director of Pharmacy                         Supervises:           All pharmacy supportive personnel

Some of the many skills performed:

1. Prepares and dispenses drug orders per physician request according to established policies, procedures and protocols.

• Interprets drug orders (verbal and written) and transcribes to computerized patient medication profiles accurately. Maintains accurate, complete pharmacy patient medication profiles.
• Compounds and dispenses pharmaceuticals including sterile products, chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products accurately.
• Issues controlled substances to patient care areas and maintains records as required by law.

1. Ensures safe, appropriate, cost effective drug therapies for patients according to established policies, procedures and protocols.

• Monitors drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies and appropriateness of drug and
• Assists with pharmacokinetics consult service and drug dosing per hospital protocol.
• Reviews/interprets culture and susceptibility data for antibiotic appropriateness and recommends changes as needed.
• Reads, extracts and interprets information in patient charts accurately.
• Detects and reports suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Sustains the hospital drug formulary, minimizing non-formulary procurements, utilizing therapeutic substitution protocols and promoting rational drug therapy selection.
• Provides clinical consultation and clarification to practitioners. Suggests appropriate, cost-effective therapeutic alternatives to medical staff as
• Provides accurate, adequate and timely drug information to the hospital’s professional staff.
• Provides drug education to patients and their families.
• Documents all clinical activities and interventions accurately and completely.
• Participates in the quality improvement and medication use review activities of the department. Collects data, conducts monitors and inspections and maintains logs, records and other documentation as assigned.
• Participates in the development and presentation of orientation, education and training programs for the medical staff, nursing service and other hospital staff as assigned.

1. Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department

• Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians.  Participates in the performance appraisal of pharmacy support personnel.
• Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments.   Ensures pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner. 
• Completes all assigned medication storage area inspections in a timely manner. Identifies and replaces outdated and unusable drugs.
• Answers the telephone, identifying self and department. Directs calls to appropriate personnel.  Answers requests at the window.
• Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat and well organized.
• Oversees operation of the pharmacy in the absence of the pharmacy manager as necessary.

1. Maintains competency required for current job title/position.

• Maintains current pharmacist license. Ensures applicable CE records and licensure are maintained in department files.
• Attends pharmacy staff meetings.
• Attends orientation, education and training programs. Reviews literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy.
• Completes all competency/skills assessment requirements.

E.   Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

EDUCATION:

                       Graduation from an ACPE  accredited School of Pharmacy

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

                        Current Licensure by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacist. Residency program completed

Lake Guntersville, a mountain-lakes jewel, is located approximately 30 miles from metro Huntsville – and is home to Marshall Medical Centers.

Marshall Medical Centers, an affiliate of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, serves the residents of Marshall County and the surrounding area (population approximately 125,000). With two hospitals, eight outpatient locations and a highly-trained team of physicians practicing 28 specialties, Marshall Medical is a confident, convenient choice for local healthcare. Residents can remain close to home and receive excellent care – often provided by those who are neighbors and friends.

Marshall Medical Center South is a 150-bed hospital in Boaz, Alabama, and opened in 1956. Marshall Medical Center North, in Guntersville, opened in 1990 – and – is a 90-bed facility. In addition to the two hospitals, the Gary R. Gore Medical Complex is conveniently located mid-county and is home to several outpatient clinics and a 22,000 square foot comprehensive Cancer Care Center.

Named by the Joint Commission as a “Top Quality Performer” among America’s hospitals, Marshall Medical Centers’ patients can be assured they are being treated in an environment where a premium is placed on quality and best practices.