Internship style

[bananaface]

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Across the country there seems to be a wide variance in the level of responsibility an intern may take on. How is it at your internship site? Do you function as a tech? a pharmacist? something in between? And, in what state/province do you live?

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

Across the country there seems to be a wide variance in the level of responsibility an intern may take on. How is it at your internship site? Do you function as a tech? a pharmacist? something in between? And, in what state do you live?

In Florida, the 3 things we as interns cannot do are:
- Actually certify that a medication is ready for transfer to the patient
- Write a prescription from the pharmacists’ formulary
- Write a prescription for a non-prescription control (i.e. a CV)

Other than that, we can do pretty much anything else a pharmacist can...so it's definitely somewhere in between. Basically...an intern can perform 2 of the 3 elements involved in dispensing (interpret prescriptions for interactions and contraindications, and counsel on proper drug usage). We can't certify a medication is ready for transfer to the patient. And technicians are not allowed to do any of the 3.

My experience has been pretty close to this...although some preceptors seem to think interns/techs are one-in-the-same 😳

 

[Requiem]

The "Do Nots" of interning:

a) Receiving an Rx over the phone
b) Verifying a Rx to be dispensed
c) Consulting Dr.'s regarding a persons medication.
d) Transferring prescriptions


If you ever make a recommendation (most just refer to the RPh, depends on the situation) you're supposed to be within earshot of the pharmacist so they can intervene - same with counselling.

My latest jaunt in retail pharmacy I counselled certain meds (amoxicillin, anaprox, nasonex, etc) pretty routinely; I also did my share of paper shredding and taking out the garbage.

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

The "Do Nots" of interning:

a) Receiving an Rx over the phone
b) Verifying a Rx to be dispensed
c) Consulting Dr.'s regarding a persons medication.
d) Transferring prescriptions


If you ever make a recommendation (most just refer to the RPh, depends on the situation) you're supposed to be within earshot of the pharmacist so they can intervene - same with counselling.

My latest jaunt in retail pharmacy I counselled certain meds (amoxicillin, anaprox, nasonex, etc) pretty routinely; I also did my share of paper shredding and taking out the garbage.

Hmmm...what state is this in Requiem?

 

[bananaface]

In WA the board says the only pharmacist duty intern may not legally do with the consent of their preceptor is to operate the pharmacy on our own. The actual experience varies with some people not working their way up to full duty.

 

[Requiem]

Hmmm...what state is this in Requiem?

*province 😉

Newfoundland.

 

[sdn1977]

In CA - an intern can do anything a pharmacist can do, except the final product must be verified by a pharmacist - an rx or IV or consultation.

So...I evaluate the level of expertise of my tech. If I have confidence, I'll let them mix the antibiotic, take a phone rx or counsel. But...probably not with a P1. We have to work together to make the relationship one which is of equal confidence. If I have confidence in you - you'll be able to transmit that to the pt. As your experience grows, so does your responsibilities with me.

btw....when I'm transferring an rx to another state....if I know its an intern taking the transfer....I'm very patient. Its a lot of info to give over the phone....so I'm willing to be very patient & repeat anything they need to get it right. Tell us & you'll find that to be the case in most states which can transfer rxs to interns.

 

[Requiem]

SDN, do you have confidence, in my skills?
😀

 

[sdn1977]

SDN, do you have confidence, in my skills?
😀

Well....having never worked with you....I can't tell. But...you surely seem to have enough knowledge!

Sadly.....I'll probably never get the opportunity to know. We can't take transfers from out of the country & I've never been called for one from Canada.

But...I do appreciate your professional willingness to share info here!

 

[All4MyDaughter]

In WA the board says the only pharmacist duty intern may not legally do with the consent of their preceptor is to operate the pharmacy on our own. The actual experience varies with some people not working their way up to full duty.

This is basically what the statute in KY says as well. The intern can't be left in charge of a pharmacy and must practice under the direct supervision of his or her preceptor.

It all depends on your relationship with your preceptor, and how they assess your ability and judgement...

I do everything except verify scripts and the final check. When I am working (not very much these days):

I take verbal prescriptions over the phone (including controls).
I take and give transfers (in and out of state).
I call Dr's and consult with them when the issue is within my knowledge base.
I counsel patients on the use of diabetic testing supplies.
There are a few drugs I can counsel on.
I make all the compounds.


I have a great relationship with my preceptor and I get to do a LOT of things. Sometimes when we have floaters I don't get to do all of that stuff. The floaters don't know me and I respect that. It's their license on the line!

 

[gsinccom]

great info, thanks🙂

 

[dgroulx]

I'm technically not allowed to verify, but:

While working in hospitals, I have done the final verifications before meds go out to the floor. In retail, it hasn't been allowed on my current rotations. But, Walgreens let me do it as an intern as long as the pharmacist on duty was okay with it.

 

[psychoandy]

Here in the lovely land of Massachusetts I can...

-Counsel, of course, but then again most "counseling" involves questions like how to take a GoLyteLy or how to inject fragmin...not really complicated questions.
-Transfers and all phone Rx's
-Entering scripts and whatnot
-Mingle with doctors on the phone who have random questions
-Call MDs to change Rx's

However, all the techs can legally do everything above there except counsel, and even then, they still do it for little things like Z-packs and whatnot. I'm not so hot on tech laws so idk if that's legal, but my boss is the prez of the board of pharmacy, so I doubt we're doing anything too off-base.

Downstairs in the dungeon that is inpatient, the only thing i'm allowed to verify/check are one-day supplies, since all the orders have already been approved by the RPh and are just maintenance doses. The main checking pharmacist on the weekends usually doesn't like checking close to 700 little bags full of drugs, so they occasionally outsource the label. However, techs as well can do this too, so it's not really a big step up.

They let me do all this as a P1. I figured everyone mixes antibiotics and whatnot, since I'd like to think everyone can use a graduated cylinder. Maybe I have too much faith in my coworkers. I never knew it was such a big deal until I did a transfer out of state and the intern on the phone with me was like "hold up i need to get a pharmacist".

 

[GatorRxGirl]

The "Do Nots" of interning:

a) Receiving an Rx over the phone
b) Verifying a Rx to be dispensed

d) Transferring prescriptions

Dang I did all of those things as a tech when my pharmacy manager found out I got accepted. He was really trusting and lazy though.