Facility: Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Job Summary:

Reports to Pharmacy Department OR Emergency Services
As an integral member of the Emergency Department team the Medication History Specialist (MHS) is responsible for working with patients who have been identified for admission to the hospital in order to obtain and document the best possible medication history. The MHS role is essential to assure high quality and safe care by reducing medication duplications, ommissions and possible errors. The information obtained will be accurately entered into the computer system and it will be used by the physicians, pharmacist, nurse and other healthcare providers as an input into treatment plans and medication orders during hospitalization, and in discharge planning for post hospital transition and care.
Must be capable of passing the medication reconciliation competency test for Pharmacy Technicians.
Must be able to pass annual competency and quality assurance metrics.
Interview and inquiry techniques, with the patient, family, pharmacy's) to compile the best possible medication history.
Responsible for entering all home medications into the electronic medical record.
Monitor the tracking board for potential admissions and highly complex patients to complete the medication history to assist in the delivery of quality care.
Upon notification of patient admission responsible for updating home medication record in electronic medical record to match ordered and or active prescription medications.
Possess service excellence skills, setting patient and family at ease, demonstrating, patience and compassion at the bedside.
Will work under direction of Pharmacy Leadership, ED Leadership, Medication Safety Officer, and nurses as needed to resolve any discrepancies/errors in home medication orders.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Customer Service
• Properly provide customer service during phone calls, team interaction and patient/family interaction. • Communicate effectively with all patient populations to gather best possible medication histories. • Communicate effectively with pharmacists, nurses, family members and others outside the hospital to gather further medication history information. • Demonstrate professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills. • Make rounds in the Emergency Department on the nursing staff, physician staff and patients. 20% Medication Reconciliation
• Obtains and clarifies patient’s home medication list by utilizing drug information resources, contacting community pharmacies, contacting physician office for prescription clarification, interviewing patient/family and reviewing prescription bottles brought to the Emergency Department by the patient to ensure proper identification of doses and drugs including prescription medications, over the counter drugs and herbals/supplements. • Interacts with and provides medication history and other related patient information to nurses, physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals as appropriate. 80%

Required Minimum Education:

High school diploma High School graduate Required or
GED Required and Other Education Medical Terminology course Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):
All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Cert Pharmacy Tech or Registered Pharmacy Tech
• Basic Life Support (BLS) with American Heart Association

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):



Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years pharmacy technician experience Required and
retail experience Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Minimal typing skills.
Basic computer skills.
Good oral communication skills.
Basic management skills.
Good “problem solving” skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.
Ability to push a transportation cart of approximately 100 pounds