Staff Pharmacist

Pay Range:$82.78 - $116.13 General Description: This position is held by a Licensed Pharmacist who directs and supervises the licensed Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) staff who administer medication (pharmacists and nurses) across the consortium. This position reports to the SEARHC Medical Director for Addiction Services with cross-functional reporting to the SEARHC System Director of Pharmacy to assure compliance within the larger health system. The Pharmacist works closely with the Director of Substance Use Disorders and the local OTP Managers to standardize consistent processes across all locations that systematically improve clinic functions, operations, patient flow, efficiency, safety, quality, and patient experience. The Pharmacist ensures that staff are properly trained and competent to perform tasks and consistently follow OTP standards, procedures, and practices. The Pharmacist monitors and maintains all drug processes within the consortium’s OTPs to ensure that all applicable State and Federal regulations are followed.

This position serves as the expert on all aspects of drug ordering, storage, monitoring, auditing, dispensing, dosing, and licensing within the OTPs and will develop and maintain policies and procedures related to the OTP medication process. The pharmacist will also be required to train staff on proper drug preparation, dispensing, documentation, and tracking in the OTPs as dictated by Federal and State law and SEARHC policy and procedure. The Pharmacist may also: dispense medication when needed, provide patient counseling/education; advise the medical and nursing staff on drug therapy; select and maintain an appropriate drug inventory; formulate and participate in quality improvement activities. The Pharmacist’s services directly impact the healthcare of our patients and performs in a manner that is professional, respectful, confidential and demonstrates qualities endorsed by following the seven Standards for Service Excellence outlined in the SEARHC Human Resources Manual.

Independent professional judgment is used prior to the dispensing prescribed medications, and the Pharmacist evaluates it for appropriateness and safety. When questions or concerns arise, the Pharmacist consults with the Prescriber to consider and evaluate alternative therapies. The Pharmacist counsels patients as to medication side effects and verifies that patients understand their medications and appropriate outcomes of drug therapy. Counseling increases medication compliance and decreases patient morbidity. Decision making is required in the Drug Utilization Evaluation process and the formulation of policy and procedure that impact operations.

This position requires periodic travel to Consortium OTP’s.

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Provide day-to-day leadership and mentoring to pharmacy and nursing staff designed to standardize consistent application of processes.
• Identify and correct system issues that negatively impact patient care, access to care, patient safety, or staff workflow. 
• Supervise assigned staff and provide consistent feedback designed to strengthen compliance, patient relations, and job performance.
• Promote healthy communication and functioning between pharmacy, nursing, medical, and behavioral health staff.
• Participate in recruitment and orientation of assigned staff. 
• In partnership with the local OTP manager staff, ensure medication administration units are adequately staffed.
• Promote outstanding quality customer service through cooperative teamwork and healthy communication.
• Maintain constant regulatory readiness assuring policies, processes and environment of care are in compliance. 
• Maintain a firm understanding of all State and Federal regulations and guidelines including but not limited to those dictated by SAMHSA, DEA, SOTA, and State Board of Pharmacy.
• Review medication orders for appropriateness of therapy, legality, completeness, contraindications, interactions, allergies, adverse drug reaction, lab value abnormalities and follow up by screening patient’s chart. Provides clinical consultation and clarification and resolves any concerns or questions with prescriber prior to dispensing. Documents all clinical activities and interventions accurately and completely.
• Verify clinic drug orders and assures orders are received and accounted for according to clinic policy. Performs audits of drugs as required by State and Federal law and investigates any discrepancies. Unresolved discrepancies are reported to the Medical Director, Director of Pharmacy, CEO, and DEA.
• Ensure orders are filled accurately while maintaining all required record keeping and documentation.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Organize and prioritize work assignments.
• Ensure pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner.
• Advise patients clearly and accurately about their medications and appropriate outcomes and verifies patient understanding. The information will include the indication for which the patient is taking the medication, the drug name and strength, how it is used, and what changes to expect.
• Communicate regularly with patients as well as internal and external health care providers to resolve medication problems and provide optimal care.
• Perform chart reviews for medication orders and medication therapy management.
• Write recommendations for providers and requests prescription refills on the patient’s behalf.
• Provide drug information, drug therapy consultation and staff education relating to drug therapy.
• Participate in clinical and administrative activities including quality control and quality improvement within the department and OTPs.
• Attend meetings and participate on committees as requested.
• Assures availability, preparation, and control of medications.
• Takes on additional departmental duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Provide health promotion and disease prevention activities related to drug use and preventative drug therapy.
• May require up to 40% travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned licensed medication administration staff

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Pharm.D. degree from an accredited university
• Unrestricted registered pharmacist license in any state.
• Completion of a nationally recognized (by ASHP) pharmacy residency program preferred.

Experience Required

• At least 3 years’ experience as a licensed pharmacist
• Experience with Substance Use Disorder preferred
• Experience working in an OTP preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of

• State and federal laws governing the practice of pharmacy and OTPs.
• Working knowledge of computer application skills.

Skills in

• Math skills required for the accurate calculation of drug dosages both oral and intravenous and compound formulations.

Ability to

• Work efficiently as part of the medical team; it is necessary to be proficient at reviewing the patient’s medical history, labs, and medications orders using an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical sciences.
• Provide care appropriate to the needs of patients of all ages.
• Communicate both orally and in writing to patients and staff.
• Work cooperatively within health system and pharmacy staff and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule.
• Work independently, set priorities, make critical decisions, and respond quickly to emergency requests.
• Travel via jet, boat, or small plane up to 40% of the time.

Computer Skills: 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Travel Required: 

• Must be able to travel 10% of the time.

Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities: 

• Employees are responsible for complying with safe work rules; reporting all accidents and injuries immediately; cooperating in all accident and injury investigations; reporting defective equipment and unsafe conditions.

Physical Demands: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must lift and/or move 50 lbs.

Work Environment: 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Position Information:

Work Shift:Exempt

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!