State of Maryland

A Pharmacist I is the entry level of work in dispensing and compounding prescribed medications, drugs and other pharmaceuticals for patient care at a State facility.  Employees in this classification may oversee the work of Pharmacy Technicians and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Pharmacist III or designated administrator.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends.  Employees are subject to call‑in and overtime based on staffing needs.  The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Pharmacist I and Pharmacist II levels are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Pharmacist I learns to perform duties under close supervision, and the Pharmacist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Dispenses and compounds prescribed medications, drugs and other pharmaceuticals for patient care, according to professional standards and State and federal requirements;

Reviews and fills prescriptions issued by physicians or other authorized prescribers;

Prepares various compounds and admixtures;

Inspects the dispensing of drugs and drug storage areas;

Instructs professional and non-professional personnel in the performance of the duties necessary to supply the pharmaceuticals needed at assigned State facility;

Maintains drug controls regarding distribution of controlled substances;

Places drug orders periodically to maintain proper level of supply;

Develops and periodically reviews the hospital formulary;

Provides for safe use and control of research medication;

Provides for emergency pharmaceutical services;

Provides for dependable transportation and delivery of filled drug orders;

Prepares drug preparations in bulk quantity for hospital use;

May prepare the pharmacy’s budget and establish its policies and procedures;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the compounding of prescriptions and stocking pharmaceutical preparations by means of standard physical and chemical procedures;

Knowledge of regulations regarding the use of Schedule II substances and the necessary records to be kept in accordance with legal requirements for their usage;

Knowledge of recent developments in the field of pharmacology;

Knowledge of other ancillary medical services of the hospital;

Ability to compound prescriptions and stock pharmaceutical supplies;

Ability to maintain confidential information and accurate records;

Ability to determine the correct level of stock and requisition needed for replacement items;

Ability to comprehend and follow instructions;

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with patients or clients and their family members, supervisors and staff;

Ability to communicate effectively with patients, family members, supervisors and co-workers.

Education:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Pharmacy.

Experience: None.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the facility with a phone number at which they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined     PHARMIST I Page 4   by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.