Pharmacist at Pseven Medical Diagnostic and Consulting Center

Responsibilities

Patient & Family Counseling

• In a hospital, counseling is often more intensive than in a retail setting because the medications are usually higher-risk.
• Discharge Counseling: The pharmacist meets with patients before they leave to ensure they understand their new regimen. This reduces "readmission rates" (patients coming back because they didn't take their meds correctly).
• High-Alert Meds: Providing specific education on drugs like anticoagulants (blood thinners) or insulin, where a small mistake can be dangerous.
• Device Training: Teaching patients how to use complex delivery systems like inhalers, insulin pens, or post-surgical heart monitors.

Stock & Inventory Management

• Hospital pharmacies carry millions of dollars in inventory. Mismanaging this leads to waste or, worse, "drug shortages."
• Shortage Management: If a critical drug (like an anesthetic) goes on backorder, the pharmacist must find a substitute and update the hospital’s entire computer system so doctors don't prescribe the missing item.
• Cold Chain Maintenance: Managing expensive biological drugs that must be kept at exact temperatures (e.g., vaccines or certain cancer meds).
• Narcotic Control: Strict oversight of "Schedule II" drugs (opioids). Pharmacists perform daily audits to prevent "diversion" (theft or misuse by staff).

Drug Purchase & Procurement

• This is the business side of the pharmacy. The goal is to get the best drugs at the lowest cost.
• Formulary Management: The pharmacist helps decide which brands the hospital will stock. They choose drugs based on clinical efficacy vs. cost-effectiveness.
• Wholesaler Relations: Ordering daily from large distributors to ensure the "Par Level" (minimum amount needed on hand) is always met.
• Contracting: Negotiating with pharmaceutical reps or buying groups to get bulk discounts.

 Medication Billing & Revenue Cycle

• Hospital billing is incredibly complex, involving "bundles" and "diagnostic codes."
• Prior Authorizations: Working with insurance to prove a patient needs an expensive drug before the hospital administers it.
• Charge Capture: Ensuring every pill, IV bag, and syringe used is correctly logged in the Electronic Health Record (EMR) so the patient/insurance is billed accurately.

Qualifications

• University5–6 YearsB.Pharm or PharmD degree
• InductionOne-dayOath-taking and Provisional License
• Internship1 YearHands-on training in an approved facility
• PEP Exam1 DayPass mark is typically 50%
• NYSC1 YearNational service (usually clinical posting)