Pharmacist

Job Summary

The Pharmacist is responsible for dispensing medications accurately, maintaining pharmacy inventory, ensuring compliance with hospital and legal regulations, and providing guidance to patients, nursing staff, and healthcare professionals regarding medicines. The role requires strong knowledge of pharmaceuticals, attention to detail, ethical practice, and adherence to hospital policies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Medication Dispensing & Patient Care

• Review prescriptions to ensure accuracy, correct dosage, drug interactions, and patient safety.
• Assess the identity, strength, and appropriateness of medications as prescribed by doctors.
• Dispense medicines accurately through barcode systems for both OPD and IPD patients with proper billing vouchers.
• Deliver medicines to patient beds in IPD as per hospital schedule when required.
• Provide instructions to patients and nursing staff regarding proper usage, dosage, and storage of medicines.
• Provide patient counselling to help them understand their medications and treatment.
• Check expiry dates before issuing medicines to patients.
• Ensure maker-checker verification while dispensing medications in both OPD and IPD pharmacy.

2. Inventory & Stock Management

• Maintain appropriate storage and record-keeping systems to ensure safe handling of pharmaceuticals.
• Monitor stock levels and perform daily stock checks.
• Report stock discrepancies and shortages to the appropriate authority.
• Ensure proper replenishment of medicines during all shifts and maintain a replenishment logbook.
• Ensure medicines are stored in designated locations to prevent damage, breakage, or stock variance.
• Maintain and update the Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) medicines list and labelling (updated every three months).
• Maintain records of high-risk drugs, controlled substances, and narcotic medications as per regulatory requirements.
• Inform management regarding stock-out or short supply products and follow up for availability.

3. Pharmacy Operations

• Greet patients, visitors, colleagues, and senior staff in a professional manner.
• Ensure smooth pharmacy operations in both OPD and IPD sections.
• Ensure implementation of the token system in OPD pharmacy and maintain daily records.
• Ensure proper preparation of billing vouchers and credit bills without manual register entries.
• Prepare credit vouchers immediately or obtain receiver signatures if documentation is delayed.
• Maintain pharmacy counter display and ensure medicines and products are properly arranged.
• Ensure housekeeping, cleanliness, and hygiene standards are maintained at the workplace.

4. Coordination & Communication

• Report daily activities and work status to the Pharmacy In-Charge / Assistant Manager / HOD.
• Coordinate with doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff regarding medication requirements.
• Handle medical inquiries related to medicines from OPD and IPD departments.
• Escalate complex queries or issues to senior pharmacists or department heads when required.
• Take initiative to interact with doctors to support departmental services and improve patient care.

5. Compliance, Safety & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with Drugs & Cosmetics Act, hospital policies, and pharmacy regulations.
• Ensure proper documentation for dispensing, billing, and inventory management.
• Ensure high-risk and controlled drug vouchers are counter-signed before medication dispatch.
• Ensure Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) forms received from wards are properly filled, acknowledged, and forwarded to senior staff.
• Maintain records and communication logs during shift handovers and obtain signatures in the communication book.
• Assist during pharmacy audits, inspections, and quality checks.

6. Additional Responsibilities

• Follow ward medicine delivery schedules for inpatient pharmacy services.
• Arrange new drug requests and specialized medical appliances when required.
• Collect daily patient feedback (minimum 10 responses) and submit to the appropriate authority.
• Complete all assigned tasks during the shift before handover.

Required Qualifications

• Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) or Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm).
• Valid State Pharmacy Council Registration.
• 1–3 years of experience in hospital pharmacy preferred.
• Knowledge of hospital pharmacy software and barcode dispensing systems.

Key Skills

• Strong knowledge of medicines and drug interactions
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Inventory and stock management
• Communication and patient counselling skills
• Ethical and responsible behaviour
• Ability to work in rotational shifts

Working Conditions

• Rotational duty shifts.
• Work within hospital pharmacy premises.
• Interaction with patients, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff