At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Intern - Advanced position 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. This position 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. Additional activities for this position, under the supervision of a pharmacist preceptor, include but are not limited to medication management interventions, drug use evaluations, and obtaining medication histories and other pertinent patient care information for health care professionals.


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. Students progress into the Pharmacy Intern - Advanced role after completion of the Pharmacy Intern program, typically one year.

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

• 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 support the workflow needs of the pharmacy department.

• Contributes in department 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

• Participates in clinical activities under direct pharmacist supervision including, but not limited to obtaining medication histories, participating in discharge counseling, reconciling TPNs, assisting order verifying pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and clinical pharmacy specialists with medication management interventions, participating in clinical pharmacy project-work, and owning at least one major project under pharmacist preceptorship/ supervision.

• 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 - Advanced

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

• Enrolled in an ACPE-accredited PharmD program and at least in the third year (P3)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Completed one full year of Pharmacy Intern Program

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RPI - Reg Pharmacy Intern - State Licensure

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• IV Certification - Intravenous certification (ACPE) within 6 months

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

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing workflow and actively participating in problem-solving

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 1998, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has been serving Fort Bend and the surrounding counties. Residents have come to rely on a level of compassionate care and leading-edge technology that was once available only in the Texas Medical Center. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital tied for No. 4 in Houston and No. 6 (three-way tie) in Texas in U.S. News & World Report’s best hospital rankings in 2020. With 316 operating beds, 24 operating rooms and over 2,400 employees, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was designed to provide comprehensive, personalized care for the community.