Manager/Pharmacy Operations

Overview

The Pharmacy Manager, Operations is responsible for leading and managing associated staff, programs, services, and operations. Additionally, the role is responsible for providing direction and leadership to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy interns and pharmacy residents who provide inpatient pharmacy patient care and operational services.  The role will partner with other Department Managers to ensure pharmacy purchasing, receiving, inventory management, and overall supply chain management systems are operating efficiently. The role leads, manages, and coordinates pharmacy operations, medication use systems, planning and project management, human resource management, teaching, scholarship, and community service in associated areas of responsibility. All responsibilities are accomplished in collaboration with the pharmacy leadership/management team under the direction of the Corporate Director of Pharmacy. The scope and complexity of the position requires a diverse and highly developed skill set including but not limited to: time-management, communication, creativity, vision, teamwork, management, leadership, clinical knowledge base/skills, mentorship, change management, scholarship, and teaching.

Responsibilities

Medication Systems and Operations Coordination and Implementation - Manage and lead the provision of safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient-centered pharmacy patient care services and operations for areas of responsibility. Manage technology and automation to allow for optimum resources. Assure that existing automation is being utilized at the highest level of efficiency, and develop efficiency standards for each. Assure compliance within sterile compounding (USP 797) and non-sterile compounding practices (USP 795). Review reports for medication errors, adverse drug events, ineffective service, or other problem identification. Analyze and implement quality improvement measures for improving organizational performance. Manage peri-operative care pharmacy services. Includes management of pharmacy staff and medication management workflows in these areas. Coordinate programs to support efficient and cost effective use of medications within the OR. Liaison to the OR medical staff. Assist and coordinate efforts to ensure operations meet state, federal, CMS and Joint Commission compliance and quality improvement standards and initiatives. Identify opportunities to redesign operational systems to maximize labor and operational efficiency. Planning and project management for specific projects and new services related to departmental goals. Coordinate and monitor pharmacy internal and external workload and productivity monitoring systems. In collaboration with the other Pharmacy managers and team leaders assist in oversight of day to day operations while identifying and resolving problems which occur. Develop and/or maintain patient care services and operational policies and procedures.

Human resource management - Management of personnel supporting pharmacy operations. Evaluate performance of assigned personnel. Coordinate and lead team and staff meetings for assigned areas of responsibility. Work with staff on an ongoing basis to improve performance and attain their professional development goals by directing, coaching and supporting. Monitor the progress of assignments and performance of daily responsibilities for all assigned personnel, coaching and disciplining staff as necessary. Identify and deal with personnel issues in a proactive and timely manner, with appropriate follow-up as necessary. Manage labor expenses. Manage employee leaves of absence and family medical leaves. Measurement of employee engagement and implementation of improvement initiatives. Participate in the recruitment, interviewing and hiring of professional and technical staff. Staff orientation, training and competency assessment.

Practice Optimization - Monitor staff performance and recognize high-performers and hold poor performers accountable to department and institutional standards. Serve as an advisor and/or preceptor for students/interns/residents on patient care and administrative rotations. Maintain and foster a practice culture that embraces change and innovation with a positive attitude. Develop technician role and workforce to support pharmacist clinical services and medication use system. Participate as a member of pharmacy department and hospital multidisciplinary team and committees. Oversees assigned staff performance and participation on their assigned department and hospital committees.

Planning and project leadership - Participate in department’s strategic plan development and execution of assigned goals. Identify and develop business cases for pharmacy patient care services based upon anticipated future needs, practice advancement, and organizational priorities for inclusion in the department strategic plan. Mentor and develop residents and pharmacists in planning/project management as members of the project team via direction, supporting, coaching, and delegating as appropriate. Participate and/or lead, as pharmacy representative, organization quality improvement initiatives/projects. Maintain an expertise in the selection and use quality improvement methodologies/tools to maximize project outcomes.

Compliance and Regulatory - Has working knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations affecting the practice of pharmacy. Stays up to date with State, CMS and Joint Commission requirements related to medication and safety. Works with the Corporate Pharmacy Director and Clinical Manager to identify and develop processes to meet or exceed all regulatory standards.

Participates in management on-call coverage.

 

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Pharm.D. or B.S. Degree with 3 years’ experience in Pharmacy. Pharmacy residency preferred.
• Must be currently licensed or license eligible to practice pharmacy in the State of Alabama. Must be fully license within 60 days of hire date.
• 5 years’ experience in hospital pharmacy required. Supervisory experience required. Participation in professional organizations is strongly encouraged.  MHA or MBA preferred.
• Project management skills preferred (ability to lead meetings, prioritize, resolve conflicts, maintain issue lists, manage project plan). 
• Strong Interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel are necessary.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. Strong time-management, organizational skills and project management.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

Environmental

• Exposure to contaminants
• Exposure to hazardous conditions
• Close physical proximity
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment

Psychological

• Contact with others
• Occasionally deal with unpleasant or angry people
• Daily use of electronic mail
• Engage in face to face discussions
• Frequent use telephone
• Work with group or team

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Physical activities include: Talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, kneeling, crouching, stooping, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion, standing, and/or using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls).
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Possible exposure to disease, infection and hazardous materials.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

• Must be pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Must be reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfill obligations.
• Must be able to file and maintain records.
• Must be careful about detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
• Must be willing to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Must be honest and ethical.
• Must be able to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.