Supervision of an Intern Pharmacist
A licensed pharmacist in good standing, may supervise an intern pharmacist by accepting the responsibility to educate and train an intern pharmacist in practical experiences. The supervising pharmacist is ultimately responsible for the professional activities performed by the intern pharmacist while under his or her supervision. There is no additional registration required to supervise an intern pharmacist.
When considering whether to supervise an intern pharmacist ask yourself the following:
- What is the breadth of my experience as a pharmacist and can I share this with an intern?
- Do I actively participate in continuing education programs and pharmacy related training conferences?
- Am I able to spend time providing instruction to an intern pharmacist?
- Am I able to use effective communication skills from which the intern pharmacist can learn?
The setting in which you practice is as important as your willingness to teach. The ideal pharmacy for interns pharmacists incorporates practice and attitude befitting the professional activities that are performed. The pharmacy has an adequate set of reference materials, a computerized patient profile system, sufficient clerical help to enable you time to work with the intern pharmacist, and is a clean and inviting environment. The pharmacy should exemplify the highest standards of the profession.
Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 1726 below defines the supervision of an intern pharmacist.
1726. Supervision of Intern Pharmacists.
(a) The pharmacist supervising an intern pharmacist shall be responsible for all professional activities performed by the intern under his or her supervision.