Scope of Services:

The Department of Pharmacy is responsible for the following primary functions:

• Acquiring, distributing, and storing medications;

• Interpreting physician drug administration orders;

• Preparing medications;

• Preparing parenteral solutions;

• Labeling drug products;

• Dispensing medications;

• Assisting in selecting drug therapy;

• Assisting in monitoring drug therapy

• Assisting in counseling patients;

• Providing drug-related information;

• Maintaining the drug formulary;

• The development of policies concerning the storage, distribution and use of medication in the institution;

• Assisting in drug usage, evaluating, and taking actions to improve pharmacy services.

Types and Ages of Patients Served

        All newborns through adults of all ages that require any medications or pharmacy services.

Important Aspects of Care

• Unit dose distribution of medication

• Emergency drug distribution

• Preparation and distribution of sterile intravenous medication

• Provision of outpatient pharmacy services

• Provision of clinical pharmacy services

Department Standards

      Standards and policies include administrative, infection control policies, departmental policies consistent with State and Federal regulations relative to medication use.

      Policies and procedures are approved through the hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

Department Staffing:

      Staffing is determined by hours of operation, patient need, peak volume times and through approved budgeted positions.

Staff Competencies

      All Pharmacy Department employees must attend mandatory in-services annually. Staff Pharmacist and Technicians are required to complete competency/credential evaluations during orientation and on an annual basis. All Staff Pharmacist must be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of New Jersey. Thirty hours of continuing education are required every two years to maintain licensure. Educational in-services are provided within the Department that are deemed pertinent to their job functions and responsibilities.