hospital-pharmacist/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — hospital pharmacist

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 29-1051.00 (Pharmacists).

Task statements

• [Core] Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
• [Core] Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
• [Core] Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
• [Core] Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
• [Core] Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
• [Core] Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
• [Core] Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.
• [Core] Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
• [Core] Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.
• [Core] Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.
• [Core] Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
• [Core] Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
• [Core] Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.
• [Core] Contact insurance companies to resolve billing issues.
• [Supplemental] Prepare sterile solutions or infusions for use in surgical procedures, emergency rooms, or patients' homes.
• [Supplemental] Manage pharmacy operations, hiring or supervising staff, performing administrative duties, or buying or selling non-pharmaceutical merchandise.
• [Supplemental] Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.
• [Supplemental] Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, or patients.
• [Supplemental] Offer health promotion or prevention activities, such as training people to use blood pressure devices or diabetes monitors.
• [Supplemental] Update or troubleshoot pharmacy information databases.

Detailed work activities

• Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.
• Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.
• Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
• Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
• Analyze health-related data.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
• Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
• Determine protocols for medical procedures.
• Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
• Maintain medical facility records.
• Manage healthcare operations.
• Merchandise healthcare products or services.
• Order medical supplies or equipment.
• Prepare medications or medical solutions.
• Prescribe medications.
• Prescribe treatments or therapies.
• Present medical research reports.
• Process medical billing information.
• Recommend types of assistive devices.
• Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
• Review customer insurance information.
• Train medical providers.
• Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
• Verify accuracy of patient information.