Pharmacy Manager

Pay Range:$82.78 - $116.13

This position is responsible for the provision of a full range of clinical pharmacy services as well as supervisory and managerial responsibilities related to the day-to-day operation of pharmacy services provided at Mt Edgecumbe Hospital and the rural clinics. The primary purpose of pharmacy services is to assure efficacious, safe, and cost-effective drug therapy and appropriate outcomes in the use of drugs and medicines; to procure, store, prepare and distribute medications according to Federal and State laws; to provide patient and staff drug information, counseling, and education; to evaluate and maintain an appropriate drug inventory and to participate in quality improvement activities.

This position ensures that the pharmacy department provides optimal services; meets all legal, accreditation, and certification requirements; and complies with all applicable policies, procedures, codes, and standards of our organization. The performance of this department has a direct and significant impact on the health care delivered by the Consortium and to individual patients. The manager performs in a professional manner, respects confidentiality, and demonstrates qualities endorsed by following the seven Standards for Service Excellence outlined in the SEARHC Human Resources Manual.

The pharmacy manager is responsible for promoting the provision of high-quality pharmaceutical care services to our patients while addressing workload and demands.

Decisions must be made regarding personnel management including determining staffing levels and priorities, and how to effectively utilize limited human resources to provide the highest level of pharmacy services possible. Problems which may arise include staffing during vacancies and leave, employee actions requiring counseling and/or a performance improvement plan and ameliorating conflict between co-workers.

Formulary management: Problems include critical outages resulting from unanticipated usage, unavailability from manufacturer, lack of deliveries due to inclement weather, or drug recalls.

Quality assurance and improvement decisions must be made on a continuous basis. Workflow must be analyzed to provide care in a timely and safe manner. Medication errors and pharmacist interventions are documented, and evaluation of appropriate actions must be followed up on. Problem solving includes root cause analysis and how the error could be prevented in the future.

Independent professional judgment is used prior to the processing and dispensing of each prescription or medication order in order to evaluate it for appropriateness and safety. If any question arises, the prescriber must be consulted and recommendations for the alternate therapy are made by the pharmacist. If this is not done, the possibility exists for inadequate treatment, serious adverse effects, or even death. Independent judgment is also used to counsel patients. Counseling can directly increase medication compliance and decrease patient morbidity.

Operational decisions must be based on all federal and state laws pertaining to the practice of pharmacy as well as Joint Commission medication management standards.

Responsible for retaining all records required by State board of Pharmacy, the Federal Controlled Substance Act, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

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

• Peer reviews clinical pharmacy services including direct patient care in the outpatient pharmacy.
• Reviews prescriptions and 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. Provides feedback to pharmacists on their work.
• Documents all clinical activities and interventions accurately and completely.
• Provides anticoagulation monitoring service as described in collaborative practice agreement.
• Advises patient clearly and accurately regarding 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 to be used, and what changes to expect. Responsible for the medication therapy of individual patients (of all ages) by assuring appropriateness of drug therapy, verifying that patients understand their medications and appropriate outcomes of their drug therapy, and managing therapy for selected patients in whom drugs are the primary method of treatment. Provides drug information, drug therapy consultation and staff education relating to drug therapy.
• Documents all clinical interventions accurately and completely.
• Plans, schedules, assigns, directs, and evaluates work of pharmacy personnel; assures adequate training of employees. Ensures staff carries out program responsibilities.
• Responsible for recruiting and hiring pharmacists and technicians.
• Ensures that departmental and clinic policies and procedures are followed.
• Assists in training pharmacists and technicians.
• Assists staff in dealing with unusual situations and ensures the quality of services.
• Assists director in planning and executing all pharmacy services.
• Assists in control of departmental resources.
• Provides inpatient pharmacy duties including unit dose medication distribution, pharmacy generated Medication Administration Records, kinetics consults, TPN consults, anticoagulation services, sterile compounding, patient bedside discharge counseling, medication reconciliation and pharmacotherapy consults.
• Monitors rural clinic medication distribution. Ensures technicians fill village orders in a timely manner. Ensures that village policy and procedures are followed. Field visits to rural clinics as needed. Supervises the requisition and maintenance of drugs and supplies for the department. Maintain inventory at appropriate levels. Select appropriate drugs and vaccines per formulary. Assure availability, preparation, and control of medications.
• Formulate and evaluates drug utilization reviews. Attends the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Identify and problem solve trouble areas. Reports medication errors and adverse drug reactions to Medical Director and Pharmacy Director. Participates in clinical and administrative activities including quality control and quality improvement within the department and clinic.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

A supervisor has the responsibility and authority to hire, train, evaluate and discipline subordinates. A supervisor is distinguished from a lead person who assigns and checks work, trains, and schedules subordinates on a daily basis, and performs the same or more difficult duties performed by the subordinates.

• Staff Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Technicians

Other Comments

• This position requires handling of hazardous substances.
• This position requires standing for extended periods of time, usually 8 hours.
• This position requires walking to patient care areas throughout the building.
• This position requires lifting 30 lbs. boxes.
• There is potential for exposure to infectious patients or materials.
• There is potential for sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items.
• There is potential for musculoskeletal injuries.
• There is potential for harm from burglary or robbery.

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Pharm.D. degree and licensure as a registered pharmacist. Work experience requirements listed below. Candidates licensed prior to 2003 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree will be considered (following work experience requirements below). There is no equivalent substitution for the degree.

• B.S. Degree plus 7 years progressive clinical experience, 3 of which must have been in a hospital setting, 2 of which must have been in an outpatient setting; and 2 years in a supervisory pharmacy role strongly preferred.

• For direct hire employees: an unrestricted active license as a registered pharmacist.

• For Commissioned Officers: an unrestricted active license as a registered pharmacist in any state.

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED).

• ACLS certification preferred.

• PALS certification preferred.

• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and subsequently every three years

• High Risk Competency required within 3 months of hire and subsequently every three years

Experience Required

• Pharm.D. degree plus 5 years' experience; 3 of which must have been in a hospital setting, 2 of which must have been in an outpatient setting; and 2 years in a supervisory pharmacy role strongly preferred.

• One year experience as National Clinical Specialist (NPS) or Board Certification in a pharmacy specialty such as Pharmacotherapy (BCP) or residency program preferred.

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of computer applications necessary to perform duties.

• Knowledge in drug therapy and the ability to meet the pharmaceutical needs of all patients.

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, safety and security issues, and clinic policies and procedures.

Skills in

• Effective communication skills- both verbal and written.

• Computer application skills.

• Math skills are required in the accurate calculaton of drug dosages both oral and intravenous and to compound formulations.

Ability to

• Ability to work independently and handle stress appropriately.

• Ability to work cooperatively within health system and pharmacy staff.

• Ability to handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule.

• Ability to work cooperatively within health system and pharmacy staff.

Position Information:

Work Shift:Exempt

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