At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Intern is responsible for performing functions as a pharmacy technician and participates in a variety of routine pharmacy services such as medication acquisition and distribution, including but not limited to: triaging phone calls, repackaging medications, labeling medications, charging/crediting medications, compounding medications, and inventorying medications. The Pharmacy Intern may perform any duty of a pharmacist provided the duties are delegated by and under the supervision of a Pharmacist licensed by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a preceptor.


The Pharmacy Intern program is designed as a three-year longitudinal experience while the student progresses in an ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Student pharmacists enrolled in an ACPE-accredited PharmD program are eligible for entry into the program when they have completed the first semester of their first year (P1).

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals.

• Proactively supports and assists with training new employees and all other pharmacy learners (e.g. residents, interns, students and volunteers).

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with optimizing the safety and efficiency of pharmacy operations and to support the workflow needs of the pharmacy department.

• Contributes in departmental efforts to resolve drug related problems and maximizing patient care.

• Presents or assists with in-services for pharmacy staff as directed by Pharmacy Management. Participates in workgroups, committees, and continuing education activities for technical staff.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs efficient and safe medication acquisition and distribution functions such as, but not limited to: telephone triaging, repackaging of medications, labeling medications, charging/crediting of medications, compounding medications, and inventorying of medications.

• Provides support to the workflow and reports any problems to the appropriate parties. Accurately documents and completes paperwork for the assigned role/function.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Recommends solutions in achieving departmental objectives.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Suggests/Promotes/Participates in improvements to workflow in coordination with the Pharmacy Manager/Pharmacy Intern Program Coordinator.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Pharmacy Intern.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Must be enrolled in an ACPE-accredited PharmD program and have completed the first semester of their first year (P1)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• LPHT - Licensed Pharmacy Tech - State Registration -- Texas Pharmacy Technician Registration OR
• RPI - Reg Pharmacy Intern - State Licensure -- Pharmacy Intern Licensure

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Proficient in performing accurate calculations required for usual dosage determinations

• Proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, hospital/ pharmacy related software, drug preparation pumps/devices, packaging and labeling machines, automated drug dispensing equipment, prescription balances, and portable data processing units

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.