Maria Zervos
Easton,PA
Summary
Accomplished Pharmacist with a robust background at CVS Pharmacy, excelling in medication dispensing and patient counseling. Demonstrates expertise in pharmacy automation systems and a commitment to quality assurance. Proven track record of enhancing patient care through effective immunization administration and medication therapy management. Skilled in fostering patient relations and adept at managing medication inventory.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
Bethlehem, PA
02.2022 - Current
- Effectively resolved insurance rejections and other billing issues.
- Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.
- Supported clinical services such as immunizations administration, leading to increased accessibility for patients in need.
- Enhanced patient care by providing accurate medication dispensing and thorough counseling on drug interactions
- Vaccinated patients to provide immunity against influenza, pneumonia, and other diseases.
- Communicated regularly with physicians, nurses, insurance companies and managed care organizations.
- Provided education and support to reduce obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
- Decreased wait times for patients by optimizing the use of pharmacy technology and automation systems
- Saved patients money and increased pharmacy profit margins with therapeutically equivalent and more cost-effective generic drugs.
- Interpreted prescriptions from healthcare providers to properly dispense medications and health products.
- Complied with pharmacy regulations to increase quality of health care and inhibit criminal abuse of drugs.
- Remained knowledgeable about health insurance and other third-party payment programs to facilitate purchases.
- Reported adverse drug events to comply with regulatory policies and procedures.
- Reviewed and evaluated orders for non-formulary to identify generic alternatives.
- Reconstituted oral liquids.
- Educated patients on proper medication use.
- Closely monitored department performance metrics.
- Hand counted controlled medications, measured liquids and reconstituted antibiotics.
Staff Pharmacist, Pharmacy Manager
Rite-Aid Pharmacy
Bethlehem, PA
07.2016 - 02.2022
- Effectively resolved insurance rejections and other billing issues.
- Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.
- Supported clinical services such as immunizations administration, leading to increased accessibility for patients in need.
- Provided medication therapy management to patients using Outcomes and Mirixa.
- Provided comprehensive staff support during peak hours, effectively managing increased workload without compromising quality of service or patient safety.
- Supervised compounding activities, ensuring accuracy in preparation of custom medications according to physician specifications.
- Enhanced patient care by providing accurate medication dispensing and thorough counseling on drug interactions.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Educated patients on possible drug interactions, potential side effects, and optimal methods of administration.
- Monitored and managed pharmacy staff performance to maximize productivity and customer satisfaction.
- Ordered all pharmacy supplies and kept check on inventory levels.
- Complied with all federal laws, company policies and procedures and state regulations regarding intern, technician and assistant training and licensure.
- Maintained state and federal records of legendary drugs and controlled substances.
- Streamlined pharmacy operations by implementing efficient inventory management systems and reducing medication errors.
- Improved pharmacy efficiency by training new staff pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on proper procedures and protocols.
- Regularly stocked shelves, rotated stock and checked for expired medications.
- Correctly completed pharmacy daily and weekly reports.
- Assessed correct identity, strength and purity of medications when filling prescriptions.
- Affixed correct labels to direct patients to correctly take medication as recommended by healthcare provider.
- Interviewed, hired and trained staff, enabling business to serve more patients.
- Reconstituted oral liquids.
- Educated patients on proper medication use.
- Closely monitored department performance metrics.
- Led a high-performing team of pharmacists and technicians to deliver exceptional patient care and service.
- Trained pharmacy interns and newly hired pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacist
Global Healthcare Management,LLC
Easton, PA
02.2016 - 07.2016
- Reviewed prescription to confirm appropriate selection of drug, dose and check for interactions with other medications.
- Collaborated with pharmacy team members to develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement in quality of care.
- Managed prescriptions daily while maintaining excellent customer service and attention to detail.
- Interpreted prescription orders, dispensed medications, and counseled patients on drugs.
- Educated patients about possible drug interactions and gave special administration instructions.
Floater Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
Lehigh Valley, PA
08.2012 - 02.2016
- Remained knowledgeable about health insurance and other third-party payment programs to facilitate purchase
- Assisted patients in minimizing medical expenses by recommending generic alternative prescription medications.
- Interpreted prescription orders, dispensed medications, and counseled patients on drugs.
- Educated patients about possible drug interactions and gave special administration instructions.
- Reviewed prescription to confirm appropriate selection of drug, dose and check for interactions with other medications
- Educated patients on medication, tools and equipment to promote patient-centered care and increase adherence to treatment.
- Entered orders into database, verified insurance and prepared medications.
- Affixed correct labels to direct patients to correctly take medication as recommended by healthcare provider.
- Collaborated with colleagues, technicians, and leading pharmacists in effective prioritization and filling of orders.
- Assisted in the implementation of pharmacy services such as immunizations, point-of-care testing, and wellness programs that enhanced patient care options.
- Advised patients on medication side effects and contraindications and explained proper administration.
- Educated patients on proper medication use.
- Reconstituted oral liquids.
Staff Pharmacist
Giant Pharmacy
Easton, PA
09.2000 - 07.2010
- Effectively resolved insurance rejections and other billing issues.
- Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.
- Enhanced patient care by providing accurate medication dispensing and thorough counseling on drug interactions.
- Ensured consistent delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical services through adherence to established standards and guidelines.
- Supervised compounding activities, ensuring accuracy in preparation of custom medications according to physician specifications.
- Received and accurately processed written prescriptions from customers using medical computer system.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop customized medication plans, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
- Maintained state and federal records of legendary drugs and controlled substances.
- Regularly stocked shelves, rotated stock and checked for expired medications.
- Championed patient safety by staying current on drug recalls and promptly removing affected products from pharmacy shelves.
- Implemented best practices for safe medication storage and disposal, maintaining a compliant and organized pharmacy environment.
- Saved patients money and increased pharmacy profit margins with therapeutically equivalent and more cost-effective generic drugs.
- Correctly completed pharmacy daily and weekly reports.
- Affixed correct labels to direct patients to correctly take medication as recommended by healthcare provider.
- Assessed correct identity, strength and purity of medications when filling prescriptions.
- Educated patients about possible drug interactions and gave special administration instructions.
- Remained knowledgeable about health insurance and other third-party payment programs to facilitate purchases.
- Complied with pharmacy regulations to increase quality of health care and inhibit criminal abuse of drugs.
- Reviewed and evaluated orders for non-formulary to identify generic alternatives.
- Managed drug and supply inventories.
- Dispensed and verified patient prescription orders, conducting necessary utilization reviews.
- Educated patients on proper medication use.
- Counseled customers on medications, appropriate dosage and potential side effects.
- Hand counted controlled medications, measured liquids and reconstituted antibiotics.
- Reconstituted oral liquids.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA05.2000
Associate of Science - Pharmacy (Pre-Pharmacy)
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PA08.1997
Skills
- Drug utilization review
- Medication Dispensing
- Immunization Administration
- HIPAA Regulations
- Patient Counseling
- Committed to quality assurance
- Continuing education
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Pharmacy law knowledge
- Medication inventory management
- Patient Relations
Timeline
Staff Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
02.2022 - Current
Staff Pharmacist, Pharmacy Manager
Rite-Aid Pharmacy
07.2016 - 02.2022
Pharmacist
Global Healthcare Management,LLC
02.2016 - 07.2016
Floater Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
08.2012 - 02.2016
Staff Pharmacist
Giant Pharmacy
09.2000 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Temple University
Associate of Science - Pharmacy (Pre-Pharmacy)
Northampton Community College