MOS 68Q—Pharmacy Specialist

Qualifications for initial award of MOS 68Q, Pharmacy Specialist:

PULHES: 222221
Physical Demands Rating: moderately heavy
Required ASVAB Score: ST: 95
Enlistment Bonus: None
Security Clearance: None
U.S. Citizenship: Not Required
AIT Length / Location: 19 weeks at Ft Sam Houston, Texas
Other Requirements

Pharmacy Specialist (MOS 68Q) Description / Major Duties:

The pharmacy specialist prepares, controls and issues pharmaceutical products under the supervision of a pharmacist or physician, or supervises pharmacy activities. MOS 68Q personnel require finger dexterity in both hands.

Duties for MOS 68Q at each skill level are:

MOSC 68Q1O. Prepare, control and issue pharmaceutical products. Prescription handling and dispensing: Under close supervision, Manually or using a computerized system: receives, interprets, compounds, manufactures, fills, labels, issues and files prescription, bulk drug, sterile product and/or unit dose orders. Evaluate orders to verify dosage, dosage regimen and quantity to be dispensed. Check for completeness and correctness and for common interactions, incompatibilities and availability. Refers questionable orders or questions on basic formulation to supervisor for clarification. Reduces or enlarges formulas, as required. Calculates and annotates proper dosage. Evaluates completed orders to ensure integrity of final product. Provide information regarding availability, strength and composition of medications to physicians or pharmacists. Verifies patient eligibility for receipt of medication. Provide instructions to patients regarding medication consumption and side effects. Perform quality control checks on medications. Issue medication to patients, wards, clinics and other using agencies. Supply, administration and maintenance: Assigns and records prescription numbers. Delivers unit dose, sterile products, bulk drug and controlled drug orders. Prepares prescription labels and affixes auxiliary labels. Maintain signature cards and prescription files. Prepares and maintains files of controlled substances stock cards, records and work units. Maintains master formula record, batch sheet and patient medication record. Maintain pharmacy reference files and publication library. Prepares and files pharmaceutical reports. Prepare requisitions for and receives, packs, unpacks, stores, safeguards and accounts for inventories. Controls and issue pharmaceutical and pharmacy supplies. Inspects, calibrates, operates and performs preventive maintenance on common pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging equipment. Cleans and disinfects pharmacy equipment and work areas. Packs, unpacks, loads and unloads equipment and assists in setting up unit equipment.

MOSC 68Q2O. Prepares duties shown in preceding level of skill and provides technical guidance to lower grade personnel in accomplishment of these duties. Prepares, controls and issues pharmaceutical products to include chemotherapeutics. Evaluate sterile products and orders to include calculations, identification of drug interactions and drug compatibilities. Maintain pharmacy system database.

MOSC 68Q3O. Perform duties shown in preceding level of skill. Assists with or supervises pharmacy operations. Prescription handling and dispensing: Refers questionable drug orders or questions on basic formulation to appropriate professional for clarification. Prepare master formula cards and drug control ledgers. Reviews and updates compounding formula reference file. Supervise requisitioning of standard and nonstandard supplies. Establishes and maintains stock levels. Researches and interprets pharmaceutical supply catalogs. Dispose of unserviceable and outdated pharmaceuticals. Organizes work schedules, assigns duties and instructs subordinates in work techniques, procedures and evaluates pharmacy operations. Establishes work priorities and distributes work load. Inspect pharmacy area to ensure orderly, clean and safe environment. Supervise operational maintenance program of pharmacy equipment. Prepares and conducts training programs. Evaluates personnel performance, counsels personnel and prepares evaluation reports. Prepares and updates pharmacy Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

MOSC 68Q4O. Supervise pharmacy operations. Performs duties shown in preceding level of skill. Ensure compliance with quality control methods and procedures. Assist in compiling information for Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Meetings. Assist in revision and update of hospital formulary or drug list. Reviews work schedules. Establishes, reviews, evaluates and makes necessary revisions to training programs. Ensure compliance with Army and Federal rules, laws and regulations relative to pharmacy operations. Directs and supervises supply inventories. Reviews established stock levels to ensure compliance with command guidance. Reviews requisitions for standard and nonstandard items and emergency medications. Reviews, consolidates and prepares technical, personnel and administrative reports. Assists pharmacist in personnel matters. Prepare manpower survey reports. Coordinate pharmacy and personnel matters pertaining to pharmacy with other elements of medical treatment facility. Review operations to ensure compliance with Joint Commission Accreditation Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) standards.

MOSC 68Q5O. Supervises pharmacy activities within the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). Perform duties shown in preceding level of skill. Assist in establishment and operation of formal training programs for specialized areas. Ensure compliance with quality control standards for doctrinal material in formal training programs. Compile information for Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee Meeting.

Other Requirements for Award of MOS 68Q:

(1) Normal color vision.
(2) Completion of 1 year of high school or college algebra and chemistry with a final grade “C” or higher.
(3) No history of a felony conviction.
(4) No history of conviction of crimes involving:
(a) An out of hospital patient or a patient or resident of a medical care facility.
(b) Financial exploitation of a person entrusted to a care of the applicant.
(c) Any weapons/ammunition/explosives/arson charges.
(d) Any drug activity involving illegal possession, buying, selling or distribution (dealing) of controlled substances or synthetics.
(e) Violence against persons or property.
(f) Sexual misconduct.
(5) Formal training (completion of MOS 68Q course conducted under the auspices of the AMEDD Center & School) mandatory or meet the ACASP criteria per paragraphs (a) thru (d) below.
(a) Have successfully completed a Pharmacy Technician training program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and have 1 year experience (including 3 months of sterile preparation experience) as a pharmacy technician. The training program must have a minimum of 600 hours and extend over a 15 week period or longer. Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam is not an acceptable substitution for completing an ASHP accredited training program.
(b) If employed as a pharmacy technician in a state that requires registration/licensure or certification, possess such a current license or certificate to practice pharmacy.
(c) Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of a Pharmacy officer (AOC 67E) or an NCO qualified in MOSC 68Q3O or higher.
(d) Must have no record of conviction of any Federal or State Statute relating to use, growth, processing, manufacture, sale, disposition, possession, transportation, or importation of narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant or stimulant drugs or substances, or any other federally scheduled controlled Substances.

Additional Skill Identifiers for MOS 68Q:

N / A

Article Last Modified: February 17, 2011

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