Role of pharmacist in hospital
The basic role by which pharmacists work in hospitals can be different depending on the size of the hospital and the number of patients coming in or are in need of pharmacy services.
There are certain differences between hospital pharmacists and clinical pharmacists.
You can read more regarding the clinical pharmacist role here which is slightly different from hospital pharmacists.
In the hospital, the pharmacy is usually compromised of a good layout structure and works under the supervision of the manager.
There can be a single main pharmacy or as many as multiple pharmacies around in every department depending on their need and utility of medicines.
Usually, every hospital has a pharmacy and therapeutics committee which ensures high-quality drug therapy for patients, the formulary is decided by the committee of that hospital.
In this article, you will find out where pharmacists can work in hospitals according to their job descriptions.
Warehouse pharmacy
Inpatient pharmacy
Main pharmacy
Opd pharmacy
Intensive care pharmacy
Radiopharmacy (in large tertiary care hospitals)
Pharmacy stations where pharmacist can work in hospitals
Typically a large tertiary care health facility will have several pharmacy stations where pharmacists must be employed.
Warehouse pharmacist in hospital
Pharmacy stations include the main warehouse pharmacy where all drugs are stored and dispatched to the main pharmacy located in the hospital building according to their need.
The warehouse pharmacy and pharmacist employed there will take care of all the medicines appropriately stocked for the hospital’s needs.
And will be responsible for sending the medicines to the hospital according to the need.
Inpatient pharmacy
Inpatient pharmacy is a term used for a pharmacy located within the hospital.
It is used to dispense medicines to the patients inside the hospital, usually, patients and their attendants are not allowed near this station to avoid any probability of theft.
There might be a need for a hospital pharmacist assistant who would help senior pharmacists to manage operations and dispense medicines.
Pharmacist at main pharmacy
The primary pharmacy station is the main pharmacy located in the hospital building where most of the medicines are dispensed.
The role of the pharmacist is to look up prescriptions and determine whether the appropriate dosage of medication is prescribed.
Not only that they also look for any possible drug interaction with food and other drugs.
Role of pharmacy technician in hospital
We also have pharmacy assistants and hospital pharmacy technicians employed at the main pharmacy and other satellite stations.
where they take care of following this and help pharmacists.
Screen prescription order
Prepare medications, pour, weigh, and mix the medicines sometimes
Perform calculations and medical reconciliation
Help and assist in medical trials
Use technology to maintain patient records, place orders, and maintain dispensing records digitally
Pharmacy technicians usually have to obtain a license to practice, which means it’s a regulated profession in the developed world.
Pharmacist at satellite pharmacies
There are many secondary stations where pharmacists have a specialized role.
Because satellite pharmacies include specialized units of pharmacy services in different departments of hospitals where pharmacies are located to cater to their need only.
Take an example of OPD pharmacy at this pharmacy more common drugs prescribed by doctors.
At this station ideally stocked and delivered medicines are for hypertension, diabetes, cold, cough, antibiotics, etc. On the other hand, an emergency pharmacy is a place that usually stocks and dispenses more drugs that require invasion for delivery, equipment, life-saving drugs, bandages, 1st aid kits and lot’s more.
Hospital pharmacy assistants are mostly employed at pharmacy stations along with pharmacists.
Their duty is to assist pharmacists usually working under the supervision of pharmacists.
The above scenario clearly explains that drugs dispensed at different satellite pharmacies would have different utility and they would probably require a pharmacist with a different set of specialties to work in
Some of the advantages of satellite pharmacies that help patients and hospitals in specialized care are as follows.
Help hospitals to manage stock effectively which results in improved Iv compounding and dispensing, accurate labeling, accurate charging, accurate labeling, and the list goes on.
Examples of satellite pharmacies include OPD pharmacy, Emergency pharmacy, Intensive care pharmacy, specialized pharmacy counters on each floor of the hospital or in ICU, CCU, HDU.
Major work resposibilties of pharmacist in hospital
Check prescriptions and ensure their safety for the individual patient.
Participate in ward rounds to take a patient history and counsel nursing staff there for the correct delivery of prescribed drugs to the patients.
Advice and counsel other medical staff, for appropriate dosage and drug delivery regime. Keep up-to-date knowledge of drugs and their safety, contribute to research and development.
Make guidelines and oversee their implementation.
Discuss treatment plan with relative person and its relatives or caretakers.
Other major responsibilities may include ensuring cost-effective treatment, Set-up of clinical therapies, and supervising clinical trials.
Skills required
You need to have good communication skills, you must have an ability to communicate with patients their treatment plan.
The ability to carefully and predictably manage the protocols set by the therapeutic committee.
It skills to register patient records effectively on a database
Team working skills for effective management of the patient’s condition.
General clinical awareness and responsible attitude towards working.
The ability to work with medicines while ensuring patient safety.
Career options further as a hospital pharmacist
Freshly graduate pharmacists can get jobs in the following departments.
Clinical pharmacy, clinical trials, dispensing services, primary care pharmacy, medicines information/management, radiopharmacy (use of radioactive materials as medicinal agents).
After 3 to 4 years of experience, you will be eligible for a higher position in the hospital They have an option to choose a specialization in the following fields.
Cardiology, hematology, pulmonology, pediatric care, geriatric care, radiopharmacy, intensive care pharmacy, emergency pharmacy, etc.
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