Pharmacist Intern

Banner Health Corporate; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 18,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Banner Health seeks a Pharmacy Intern at Banner Desert Medical Center to support pharmacotherapy, medication preparation and distribution under the supervision of a pharmacist. The role includes sterile compounding, IV admixtures, TPNs, chemotherapy preparations and accurate documentation within the medication use system.

The intern will work across adult and pediatric units, participate in inventory control, and collaborate with pharmacists and health care teams to promote safe, effective care

Qualifications

• Must be attending an accredited School of Pharmacy or have graduated with FPGEC approval.
• Must hold current and unrestricted pharmacy intern licensure in the state of practice.
• Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card required at time of hire or during employment.
• Good organizational, problem solving and computer skills; strong communication with staff, patients and physicians.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing compounded and IV medications under supervision.
• Support medication order processing and documentation for compliance.
• Restock medications and inventory; collaborate with pharmacists and nurses to ensure safe drug therapy.
• Help with sterile compounding, IV meds, TPNs and chemotherapy preparations.

Skills

Pharmacy intern licensure

Strong written/verbal communication

Computer skills

Medication management software

Education

Attending accredited School of Pharmacy

FPGEC/foreign grad exam accepted

Tools

Microsoft Office

Medication management system

Job description

Primary City/State: Mesa, Arizona Department Name: Pharmacy-Hosp Work Shift: Varied Job Category: Pharmacy Pharmacy careers are better at Banner Health! Innovation and highly trained staff. Our Pharmacy team members play a critical role in ensuring the best care for our patients. Join a nationally recognized leader that values excellence and begin making a difference in people’s lives.

Banner Pharmacist Intern works under the supervision of a pharmacist to support medication preparation, distribution, inventory management, and recordkeeping. Assists with sterile compounding, IV medications, TPNs, and chemotherapy preparations. Supports medication order processing and documentation while maintaining accuracy and compliance with established standards. Collaborates with pharmacists and healthcare teams to promote safe and effective medication use and quality patient care across all age groups. This position will be cross‑training on both adult and pediatric units.

Banner Desert Medical Center offers state-of-the-art technology in all departments, from our da Vinci surgical robots to our 3D cancer technology. This position requires working both Saturday and Sunday every other weekend, with shifts scheduled from either 6:00a.m. to 2:30p.m. or 2:00p.m. to 10:30p.m. Located on an 80‑acre campus in Mesa, Arizona, Banner Desert Medical Center is one of Arizona's largest and most comprehensive hospitals and was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of Phoenix's Best Hospitals. We provide an abundance of exceptional opportunities with more than 700 licensed beds, including over 100 dedicated to children and 76 dedicated to our NICU. Areas of excellence include high‑risk pregnancy and neonatal care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology and emergency medicine. With 33 operating rooms, we offer a full range of surgical specialties and advanced technology that includes the da Vinci Surgical System. Becker’s Hospital Review named Banner Desert Medical Center as one of the top 50 busiest Emergency departments in the country. If you aim to deliver top‑tier care to the most vulnerable patients, consider joining Banner Children's Hospital at Desert in Mesa, Arizona. Within our over 200 bed, state‑of‑the‑art facility, specially trained nurses, physicians and other clinical professionals utilize the most advanced technology - including iCare ICU monitoring and robotic surgery - to provide high quality, child‑friendly, family‑centered care. Our facilities feature a 76‑bed NICU, a 24‑bed PICU, six pediatric ORs and a 22‑bed ED. We also offer dedicated pediatric rehab, radiology, oncology and hematology capabilities. With clinical diversity, exceptional training programs and a supportive culture, this is a place where you can grow in your career as you help our very special patients.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will work under the supervision of the pharmacist. Performs routine duties in packaging, distribution and record keeping of pharmaceutical supplies. Assists in preparing compounded and intravenous medications, total parenteral nutrition products, and chemotherapeutic agents. Consistently demonstrates an ability to assess a situation, consider alternatives, and choose the appropriate course of action. May work with the Pharmacist in processing physician orders for medications by entering information in to the medication management system in an unverified status. Under the supervision of the pharmacist, assesses and formulates potential recommendations to physicians and provides information to physicians, nurses, and others regarding topics relating to the medication use system. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients being served.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Selects and/or prepares medications, under direct supervision, as indicated on the patient medication orders. Places medications in patient boxes or in designated area for pharmacist to review, sends/delivers medications to nursing units as required. Investigates missing medication requests. Charges/credits patients for medications and intravenous solutions as appropriate. Restocks unused and credited returned medications.
• Attends to customers and answers telephones in a courteous and timely manner. Serves as a liaison between the customer and the pharmacist.
• Using automated dispensing technology or requisition, restocks medications to nursing and ancillary areas after checked by a pharmacist. Restocks medications to all areas outside automated dispensing technology which may include but not be limited to trays, code carts and emergency boxes. Adds users to the automatic dispensing technology database as per policy. Investigates discrepancies in automated dispensing technology. Troubleshoots automated technology malfunctions.
• Identifies medications and other items for reorder as necessary to maintain a continuous inventory of medications and supplies. Receives, checks‑in, and restocks medications ordered through wholesaler and other vendors.
• Compounds specialty drug products. Repackages bulk medications into unit of use packaging. Completes accurate documentation of items compounded and repackaged.
• Assists in preparing and labeling of intravenous medication orders including total parenteral nutrition products and chemotherapy products using proper sterile and aseptic technique.
• Under the supervision of a pharmacist, utilizes education and pharmacy skills in assessing and formulating potential recommendations to physicians to help ensure quality and economical drug therapy, and positive patient outcomes. May provide information (under pharmacist supervision) to physicians, nurses, and others regarding medication therapy, medication systems, drug product guidelines, laws and regulations, medication formulary, and other topics related to the medication use system. Medication assessments may be performed with special consideration given to medication safety and the needs of the specific patient age groups served.
• Performs quality control activities such as monthly nursing unit checks and pharmacy section checks in a timely manner. Completes documentation on refrigerator temperatures, intravenous hood cleaning, and equipment maintenance activities as required.
• Participates in all aspects of medication use, including (1) selection, procurement and storage, (2) dispensing, (3) monitoring of all medications utilized. Internal customers may include Patients, Nurses, Licensed Independent Practitioners, Nursing Directors, Department Directors, Administrators and other health care team members for the purpose of integrating services, improving patient care and ensuring effective communication systems. External customers may include local, state, and national pharmacy organizations, Joint Commission, state Board of Pharmacy, colleagues and peers, educational institutions and pharmaceutical representatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be attending an accredited school of Pharmacy or have graduated from a school of pharmacy with proof of Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) or application for licensure as a pharmacist by examination or reciprocity.
• Requires current and unrestricted pharmacy intern licensure in the state of practice. Incumbents in Arizona are also required to provide the AZ Board of Pharmacy Wallet Card at time of hire.
• Must possess good organizational, problem solving and computer skills.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills for interfacing with all levels of Staff, physicians, patients and other contacts.
• Must have knowledge of computer software, particularly medication management information system software, Microsoft applications and Automated dispensing systems.
• Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Pharmacy technician experience preferred.
• Additional training in specialty areas (such as automatic dispensing technology, controlled substances and satellite pharmacy) preferred.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement: EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Banner Health supports a drug‑free work environment.

Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country and the leading nonprofit provider of hospital services in all the communities we serve. Throughout our network of hospitals, primary care health centers, research centers, labs, physician practices and more, our skilled and compassionate professionals use the latest technology to make health care easier, so life can be better. The many locations, career opportunities, and benefits offered at Banner Health help to make the Banner Journey unique and fulfilling for every employee. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefit package for all benefit‑eligible positions. Please visit our Benefits Guide for more information.

Banner Health supports a drug‑free work environment.