Heather Ortis

After resigning from my job at Loxley Discount Drugs, I started working for Citronelle Drugs. My responsibilities at the pharmacy include overseeing the scheduling of other relief pharmacists each week. Managing the filling and dispensing of prescriptions in accordance with established policies and procedures. Ensuring compliance with state laws, regulations and professional standards related to pharmacy practice. Compounding non-sterile preparations such as ointments, creams or suspensions when necessary. Analyzing drug utilization patterns in order to recommend cost-effective therapeutic alternatives. Maintaining accurate records of patient profiles, medications and inventories. Collaborating with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care outcomes. Providing medication counseling to patients on proper use, side effects and potential drug interactions. Supervising pharmacy technicians and interns. Monitoring medication stock levels to ensure timely replenishment of supplies. Reviewing physician orders for appropriateness prior to dispensing medications. Checking prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions or allergies before dispensing medications. Overseeing and monitoring dispensation of controlled substances according to regulatory requirements. Training pharmacy technicians to promote error reduction while enhancing efficiency. Recommending over-the-counter medications for patients after assessing symptoms. Ensuring strict adherence to pharmacy laws, regulations, and standards, including controlled substances management. Participating in continuing education to stay current with new medications, technology, and pharmacy practices.

When my hours were decreased at Loxley Drugs due to new owners, I was hired and began working for owner Frank Conwell at Conwell's Pharmacy. I really enjoy my job at this store because of the uniqueness of the patient population, mostly coming from Dauphin Island. This store has a largely transient atmosphere due to the fact that the area has a seasonally fluctuating population due to tourism. The owner of the pharmacy has given me special responsibilities, such as implementing and maintaining employee compliance in regard to required training, such as HIPAA, Medicare Part D, FWA training, Bloodborne Pathogen training, Cultural Sensitivity, and Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention. Also, I am heavily involved in audits by healthcare companies. The rest of my responsibilities at this pharmacy are standard, such as verifying prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, or allergies before dispensing medications. Counseling patients on the proper use of medications, responding to questions, and discussing the side effects of both specific brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals. Overseeing drug preparation and distribution activities to provide safe, efficient care for patients. Managing and monitoring the dispensation of controlled substances according to regulatory requirements. Training pharmacy technicians to promote error reduction while enhancing efficiency. Verifying prescription information against safety guidelines and insurance limitations to protect patient health and financial interests. Reviewing physician orders for appropriateness prior to dispensing medications. Supervising pharmacy technicians and interns. Maintaining accurate records of patient profiles, medications, and inventories. Providing immunization services, including flu shots and shingles vaccines, as allowed by state law. Ensuring compliance with state laws, regulations, and professional standards related to pharmacy practice. Managing the filling and dispensing of prescriptions in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Originally, I started working at Medical Village Pharmacy as a part-time floater pharmacist. I have a set schedule at this store, and I am largely in charge of operations and management because the owner has other businesses that he owns and manages. Many of my responsibilities here are different from other stores where I am employed. For example, I am responsible for all recredentialing and updating NCPDP regularly. I am also responsible for scheduling all floater pharmacists year-round. In addition, I review, manage, solve, and submit all audits required by contracted insurance companies. I enjoy working here because of the freedom that I have been given to implement new programs, like autofills, that were previously not in existence. The remainder of my duties and responsibilities at the pharmacy are routine and similar to those at other stores, such as supervising pharmacy technicians. Reviewing physician orders for appropriateness prior to dispensing medications. Receiving and verifying daily incoming drug inventories, reporting discrepancies, and logging items into the inventory system. Checking prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, or allergies before dispensing medications. Counseling patients on the proper use of medications, responding to questions, and discussing the side effects of both specific brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals. Training pharmacy technicians to promote error reduction while enhancing efficiency. Checking prescriptions for proper contents and labeling. Providing excellent customer service by assisting customers with medical-related issues, and providing healthcare counseling. Recommending over-the-counter medications for patients after assessing symptoms. Supervising pharmacy technicians and support staff in daily operations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Participating in continuing education to stay current with new medications, technology, and pharmacy practices. Managing medication therapy and patient counseling to ensure optimal drug safety and efficacy. Preserving state and federal record-keeping for legend drugs and controlled substances. Creating and implementing policies and procedures for effective pharmacy management. Ensuring compliance with state laws, regulations, and professional standards related to pharmacy practice.

When I started working at this pharmacy as a permanent floater, I was also working full-time at another chain pharmacy. What I really like about my experience here is that, although I don't work many hours at this store, I am treated and viewed as a partner. Also, I have been given some benefits here, such as the opportunity to purchase supplemental insurance and a retirement fund that the owner contributes to on my behalf each year. The majority of my duties and responsibilities at this store are similar to those at the other independent pharmacies where I work. These include, but are not limited to: checking prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, or allergies before dispensing medications. Increased focus on pharmacy's encompassing health services by administering immunizations and delivering patient consultations. Counseling patients on the proper use of medications, responding to questions, and discussing the side effects of both specific brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals. Overseeing drug preparation and distribution activities to provide safe, efficient care for patients. Managing and monitoring the dispensation of controlled substances according to regulatory requirements. Reviewing packages and medication bottles for proper labeling before distributing to patients. Preserving state and federal record-keeping for legend drugs and controlled substances. Verifying prescription information against safety guidelines and insurance limitations to protect patient health and financial interests. Mentoring pharmacy technicians and trainees, providing insight, and answering questions regarding company procedures and medical protocols. Monitoring medication inventory levels and keeping detailed documentation in company software. Providing excellent customer service by assisting customers with medical-related issues, and providing healthcare counseling. Conducting comprehensive medication reviews to identify, resolve, and prevent medication-related problems. Developing and maintaining professional relationships with patients to provide personalized care. Checking medications for content, accuracy, and completeness of drug packaging and labeling.

Originally, I came to Loxley Discount Drugs as a staff pharmacist to assist with a compounding pharmacy that they were opening. However, the endeavor was halted shortly after I was hired. Prior to the cancellation of the compounding portion of the pharmacy, I obtained my Mississippi State License in order to comply with the laws regarding the practice. The owner of the pharmacy decided to keep me on as a staff pharmacist. Some of my duties included reading and dispensing prescription medications based on pharmacy guidelines. Provide refills to patients as per the physician’s prescriptions. Inform patients about medication usages, including dosages, and administration procedures. Address patient queries and concerns professionally. Monitor inventory status, and accordingly, order and stock medications in the pharmacy. Maintain clear and complete patient medication profiles in the database. Provide medication information as per the request of the physician, recommend medications for patient therapy, and suggest alternative substitutions when needed. Supervise pharmacy technicians and interns on a daily basis. Ensure to provide accurate, timely, friendly, and efficient services to patients. Work in accordance with pharmacy laws established by local, state, and federal authorities. Participate in and perform tasks related to medication therapy management. Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, or allergies before dispensing medications. Oversaw and monitored dispensation of controlled substances according to regulatory requirements. Recommended and administered vaccines to immunize patients against communicable diseases.

Compounding and dispensing medications, as prescribed by physicians. Monitoring customers’ drug therapies, advising interventions, and informing customers of any potential side effects. Instructing customers on how and when to take prescribed medications. Conducting health and wellness screenings. Providing immunizations, and other medical services, such as taking blood pressure, temperature measurements, and checking blood sugar levels. Keeping accurate customer records.

Ensuring a safe and clean working environment. Completing operational requirements of the pharmacy, including verifying order entries, maintaining records of controlled substances, charges, and removing expired and/or damaged drugs from the pharmacy’s inventory. Adhering to applicable legal rules, regulations, and procedures governing pharmaceutical practice. Performing other administrative tasks when needed. Performing tasks related to Outcomes MTM's

Review prescriptions issued by the Physician, or other authorized prescriber to assure accuracy, appropriateness of medication, and determine formulas and ingredients needed. Directs pharmacy workers engaged in mixing, packaging, and labeling pharmaceuticals. Answers questions and provides information to pharmacy customers on drug interactions, side effects,dosage and storage of pharmaceuticals Maintains established procedures concerning quality assurance, security of controlled substances, and disposal of drugs designated as hazardous waste. Enters data such as patient name, prescribed medication and cost, to maintain pharmacy files, charge system, and inventory. Participates in traditional and e-learning programs. Works effectively with other company employees, managers, and departments. Comply with all State and Federal Laws and Regulations. Performs all job functions with Company Mission, Vision, and Goal Statements in mind.

Evaluate and execute physician’s prescriptions checking their appropriateness and legality Organize the pharmacy in an efficient manner to make the identification of products easier and faster Maintain full control over delivering, stocking and labeling medicine and other products and monitor their condition to prevent expiring or deterioration Listen carefully to customers to interpret their needs and issues and offer information and advice Provide assistance other medical services such as injections, blood pressure/ temperature measurements etc. Prepare medicine when appropriate using correct dosages and material for each individual patient . Maintain records of patient history and of all activities regarding heavy medication. Keep abreast of advancements in medicine by attending conferences and seminars and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Comply with all applicable legal rules, regulations and procedures.

Ensure adherence to facility standards of practices and procedures, adherence to state and federal regulations, and directly supervise pharmacists. Fill and review prescription orders, supervise technicians, schedule all pharmacy personnel, maintain inventory, organize pharmacy and keep a clean work area, assist patients with choosing OTC items. inventory control, counsel patients in regards to their prescription medications, work to practice and maintain company goals and values. Counsel and instruct employees in regards to job duties and evaluate their performance.