Career Center

Central IV Lab Services

General Summary

Under general supervision, fills orders for unit doses, pre-package pharmaceuticals, intravenous admixtures, DEA Controlled substances, floor stock, supplemental medications, emergency kits and general stock requisitions. Maintains proper levels of pharmaceutical supplies, instruments and equipment. Performs various related pharmacy duties including such quality management activities as drug product recalls, pharmacy area inspections and pharmaceutical care audits. Responsible for maintaining the Robot.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Works with Pharmacy Manager to ensure Robot functionality. Works with Pharmacy Manager on ad-hoc projects.

• Prints and reviews reports from Robot computer system.
• Adds and deletes drugs from Robot formulary.
• Adjusts inventory of medications in Robot. Responsible for restocking medications and maintaining off-line inventory on peg board.

Prepares and dispenses medication orders for an assigned patient population (in-patient and out-patient). Fills patient medication bins, daily, in the assigned pharmacy satellite, based on physician orders and patient profiles approved by the Pharmacist through the pharmacy computer system, in accordance with departmental procedures.

• Picks up and delivers pharmacy documents and medications from various departments and patient care locations according to departmental procedures.
• Enters Admissions, Discharges and Transfers (ADTs) into computer system for proper medication order processing.
• Packages, and labels medications into unit doses for inspection and approval by Pharmacist according to departmental Quality Control Standards. Checks refrigerator for stability (medications are within expiration dates, physical acceptability standards and related requirements) and accurate labeling of all refrigerated medications.
• Prepares sterile intravenous medications ("mini-bags," syringes, large volume parenterals, Patient Controlled analgesia medications, and chemotherapy) for all UMMS areas using proper aseptic technique.
• Fills supply requests and medication orders in appropriate units of issue as instructed by requestor and by supervisor.
• Prepares and dispenses controlled substance orders. Verifies and maintains controlled substance drug inventories and coordinates the preparation and return of controlled substances to the Drug Enforcement Agency as appropriate.

Maintains appropriate inventory levels of medications and pharmaceutical supplies in the Pharmacy department and in-patient care areas. Tracks and maintains stock levels of pharmaceutical supplies to insure availability of supplies in accordance to pre-established par levels. Data is given to clerk for entry into the computer system for audit purposes.

• Verifies accuracy of supplies received by comparing packing order to original purchase order request and documents same. Stores incoming merchandise in proper locations as instructed. Informs the supervisor/Pharmacist of stock needs and stock shortages.
• May contact vendor to resolve discrepancies in incorrect orders or forward to Purchasing to resolve.
• Receives expired medications from all patient care areas; documents information on expired bags, bottles and disposes of properly. Returns all expired or damaged controlled substances to the Drug Enforcement Agency for disposal.
• Completes appropriate pharmacy inventory for supplemental medications and stock requistion. Orders IV solutions and pharmaceutical supplies as needed.
• Checks and replenishes floor stock and supplemental medications to assigned nursing stations.
• Processes medication recalls when required in accordance with departmental policy and procedure.

Produces various computer reports from a variety of pharmacy databases (e.g. DEA substances use, unit inspections, drug use studies, inventory, billing, transfers, borrow/lending transactions). May be responsible for running standard reports and back-up procedures relative to the pharmacy computer system. May compile queries of databases in order to address specific questions. These duties are performed on an as needed basis.

• Documents all vital information regarding DEA Controlled substances requests. Performs random audits of the DEA distribution and control system as specified in departmental policy.

Responds to telephone requests and provides excellent customer assistance to user departments related to available stock items or other pharmacy related inquiries. Problem-solves to assist user in determining or locating item needed. Communicates with various departments throughout the Medical System. Communicates problems to the supervisor or Pharmacist for resolution, as necessary.

Observes established department policies, procedures and quality assurance programs, safety, security, environmental and infection control standards.

• Performs routine inspections of pharmacy areas; completes inspection reports and documents problems observed and corrective actions taken as necessary.
• Properly handles hazardous substances by observing and demonstrating proper safety procedures and/or "Universal Precautions," as appropriate.

Assists in the care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies, such as, Laminar Flow Hoods, biological safety cabinets, computers and printers, packaging equipment and manufacturing equipment.

Insures proper functioning of Pharmacy refrigerators and freezers, checking for adequate temperature levels and that cleaning standards are maintained according to departmental procedures.

• Performs routine maintenance; contacts Facilities Maintenance or Biomedical Engineering, as needed, to perform more complex maintenance duties.
• Thoroughly cleans Laminar Flow Hoods and biological safety cabinets using aseptic technique. Documents all actions relative to established total quality management criteria according to established procedure.
• Participates in the interview process and training of new staff.
• Attends and participates in in-service training and various educational programs to enhance professional growth and development.
• Performs related duties as required.