4A31

PAY RANGE: EP28

PHARMACIST

(Bilingual)

(General)

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is full performance level pharmaceutical work dispensing a wide variety of medications and pharmaceutical supplies in one of the city's health center or central fill pharmacies. Work includes processing prescriptions, providing technical direction to pharmaceutical technicians, and developing and maintaining inventory of drug supplies. An employee in this class reviews patient medication profile, advises physicians of any prescription problems and/or alternative medications and counsels patients about their medications. Contact with patients, physicians, insurance companies, pharmaceutical benefit programs, pharmaceutical supply company and outside agencies regarding prescriptions and medications is significant to the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• Positions must perform full performance level pharmaceutical work dispensing a wide variety of drugs and medications in one of the city's health center or central fill pharmacies.
• Positions must review patient medication profile, advise physicians of any prescription problems and/or alternative medications, and counsel patients about their medications.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

BILINGUAL

Performs the duties shown below with members of the English language speaking and designated non-English language speaking populations.

GENERAL

Receives and reviews prescriptions from physicians, ensuring that they are included in the formulary of applicable third party plan; reviews patient medication profile, checking prescriptions against patient medications and looking for allergies, sensitivities, incompatibilities and drug interactions; advises physicians of any prescription problems and/or alternative medications including contra-indications; checks medications for identification of drug, strength, manufacturer and dosage; prepares medication labels; updates and maintains patient medication profile; processes payment to third party insurance; completes forms and/or applications to pharmaceutical indigent care or special benefit programs; advises technical superior or a health center director of any billing/computer problems; counts tablets; measures liquids based on physician prescriptions; compounds medications as needed.

Provides technical direction to pharmaceutical technicians in counting, measuring and compounding medications, developing labels, data entry of patient information, data entry for billing, processing patient applications for prescription benefits, and patient-staff interactions.

Develops and maintains inventory of drug supplies; notes quantity of drugs in stock; records number of medications dispensed; prepares requisitions for drug supplies.

Dispenses drugs to tuberculosis patients or disease control staff for distribution to individuals in the community; maintains records of tuberculosis drugs dispensed.

Counsels patients on the proper use and safety precautions associated with prescribed drugs; furnishes information concerning pharmaceutical to medical personnel.

Utilizes a computer to enter and retrieve information pertinent to patient medication profiles and third party insurance coverage and billing; contacts insurance providers and informs patient if billing problems are encountered; completes forms required for medication reimbursement programs.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· the principles and practices of pharmacy and pharmacology

· the basic sciences underlying pharmacy, such as chemistry, biology, and physics.

· the federal, state, city laws and regulations governing the dispensing of drugs and medications

· the generic and trade names of a wide variety of drugs

· the uses and applications of computer hardware and software pertinent to pharmacy operations

SKILL IN:

· counting, measuring and compounding medications

ABILITY TO:

· process prescriptions, utilizing a computer terminal to enter and retrieve information

· provide technical direction to pharmaceutical technicians

· develop and maintain inventory of drug supplies

· counsel patients on the proper use and safety precautions associated with prescribed drugs

· interact, communicate, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional staff, drug manufacturers, insurance companies, associates and the general public

· speak, read and write in a specified non-English language and in English fluently for the Bilingual specialty

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/22.)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid, unrestricted license as a registered Pharmacist as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy prior to and during tenure of employment as a Pharmacist.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established: 1/53

Spec. Revision:

CSC: 1/03

Ad Board: 7/03

Spec. Revision:

CSC: 11/06

Ad Board: 4/07

Change in Pay Range:

CSC – 2/08

Ad. Board – 3/08

Change in Pay Rate:

CSC – 9/13

Ad. Board – 11/13

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC: 6/22

Ad. Board: 7/22

Change in pay rate:
CSC – 10/23

Ad. Board – 11/23

JL