Director of Pharmacy

 Pharmacy Director

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The Pharmacy Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the daily operations within the pharmacy department including the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.  The director is under the direct supervision of the CNO.  The pharmacy director is responsible for all medications and related processes throughout the facility.  The director provides services within the licensure of a pharmacist in the State of Texas, to include the acquisition, storage and dispensing of pharmaceuticals as ordered by a physician.  The director assures that the acquisition, storage, dispensing and documentation of all pharmaceuticals including narcotics are performed in a safe and effective manner that meets the standards outlined by the Texas Board of Pharmacy and Texas Administrative Code, The Joint Commission and  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  This person is legally identified as the Pharmacist in Charge.

The Pharmacy Director ensures the safe and effective use of medications by providing medication order verification while assessing for optimal drug product selection or alternatives, dosage regimen design, effective administration and drug therapy monitoring services at South Texas Spine and Surgical Hospital (STSSH) and OPC.  The director monitors inpatient and outpatient drug therapies, when appropriate, and works with medical staff to find alternatives when needed, to ensure the best care possible is being given. The director oversees the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

Projects a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of patients, coworkers, and facility information and adhering to the HIPAA policy.  Reports, in good faith, any known or suspected activity that appears to violate laws, rules, regulations or the SP Code of Conduct.  Fulfills annual continuing education requirements.

Personal attributes include the ability to be self-directed; demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change.  Seeks guidance, direction, and assistance when needed.  Works under stress and in situations that demand patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing great service.  Fosters an attitude of teamwork and willingness to assist others and does not refuse to perform other job duties as requested.  Sets priorities, responds timely to issues which require a decision, and ensures there is consistent follow through.

Patient Population:

The patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 12 years and/or of adult stature.  The Outpatient Center (OPC) serves infants through geriatrics. 

Essential Job Functions:

Service

• Presents Formulary Changes to Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and presents medication related policy changes

• Effectively verifies patient medication orders for appropriateness and accuracy
• Accurately transcribes written medication orders into the electronic medical record
• Demonstrates proficiency in Pharmacy distribution services
• Ensures medications are stored per manufacturers guidelines and stored securely
• Ensures medications reach the patient timely in the correct form and dose
• Responsible for the accurate dispensing and timely distribution of medicines for inpatients or outpatients
• Maintains competency working in the electronic medical record
• Communicates effectively with patients, patient family and all of the healthcare team
• Complies with STSSH Customer Service Standards
• Routinely contributes to the on-call responsibilities of the Pharmacy Department; Call will be equally divided among pharmacists depending on the needs of the facility and department
• Demonstrates regular and prompt work-site attendance
• Oversees the management of automatic dispensing machines for accuracy and efficiency
• Other duties as they are assigned

People

• Supervises and checks the work of less experienced and less qualified staff
• Provides concise, applicable, comprehensive, and timely responses to requests for drug information for patients and health care providers
• Provides leadership and oversight for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists
• Educates patients on the effects, dosage and route of administration of their drug treatments, particularly those who require complex drug therapy and document the counseling
• Supports and participates in the educational and professional development of the pharmacy department and pharmacy students
• Maintains positive working relationships with peers, management and customers
• Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities
• Participates in Employee Orientation as appropriate

• Provides technical support for issues related to medications within Meditech
• Monitors staff adherence to protocols and procedures
• Holds regular staff meetings and communicates pertinent hospital information in written format and/or direct communication
• Collaborates with Human Resources and Chief Nursing Officer to hire, evaluate, counsel and discipline staff as needed

• Maintains privacy at all times for patient and employee information

Quality

• Reviews and facilitates physician order set changes and maintains medications within the physician order sets in Meditech
• Ensures all staff is educated in new and existing department procedures and systems
• Monitors medication, including narcotic, usage throughout the hospital and OPC
• Maintains pharmacy policy and procedures including annual review of all pharmacy policies

• Prevents, detects, and resolves medication-related problems and to make appropriate evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy recommendations

• Appropriately documents clinical interventions

• Assists with diversion prevention programs

• Participates in research programs approved for the facility
• Submits or reviews and presents all medication related incident reports and medication errors including actions for resolution
• Develops performance improvement programs, instructs staff on PI indicators, and implements new and improved processes
• Oversees quality audits within the pharmacy department

• Collaboratively works with the physicians, LIPs, directors, and staff regarding any medication issues
• Assess and provides annual quality checks for any sterile compounded medications via contracted pharmacies (e.g., Intravenous medications, Operating Room medication mixtures, etc.)
• Actively participates in practice specific hospital alert response when necessary
• Participates as an active member in emergencies and ( e.g., codes and rapid response)
• Represents Pharmacy service on committees and quality support teams
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
• Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration
• Protects patients by adhering to infection-control protocols

• Collaborates with the CNO on all audits and medication concerns.

Regulatory

• Completes required continuing education credits and submits pharmacist license renewal to State Board of Pharmacy on time
• Complies with The Joint Commission, Texas Administrative Code and CMS standards
• Leads departmental tracer activity for survey readiness
• Actively participates in the development and implementation of patient safety activities

Finance

• Maintains a limited hospital formulary
• Assists with maintaining appropriate inventory levels

• Maintains most cost-effective strategies to meet budgetary expectations
• Monitors overtime costs, vacancy, and turnover rates
• Maintains accurate position control (FTEs) and completes annual budget requests

Growth

• Attends pharmacy department meetings and other programs, committees, meetings, and functions required by the hospital or pharmacy
• Assist with growing service lines and new business for STSSH and the OPC
• Assesses pharmacy related educational needs for new service lines
• Supports new growth strategies and cascades updates to staff

• Willingness to participate in goal-setting and educational activities for own professional advancement
• Collaborates with corporate IT and Pharmacy staff to improve workflow and documentation systems

TEAM MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS:

Performs effectively when one’s success depends upon the performance and success of others.  Functions

within a team and participates actively in meetings to produce results in a cooperative effort.  Places shared

goals before one’s own interests and builds relationships with others throughout the system.  Derives a sense

of accomplishment from a team effort.  Establishes action plans for self and others to ensure work is

completed efficiently.  Practices active listening skills in one-to-one and group settings by paraphrasing and

acknowledging information.  Displays patience to hear opposing viewpoints, asks probing questions to

increase understanding and conveys understanding to others.  Exhibits managing up co-workers and directing

staff to their appropriate leader(s). Supports new strategies, programs and expectations publicly and always

demonstrates a unified alliance with all co-workers.  Embraces new staff and peers with support and

understanding.

Physical Requirements:

Work is of medium demand. Visual and auditory acuity and manual dexterity essential to performing designated duties required. Optimal auditory acuity required. Manual dexterity involving the handling of equipment and instruments or needles is essential to performing assigned duties. Physical conditions are clean, neat and well-lit. May be subjected to unpleasant sights and odors, stressful situations and hazardous or infectious agents where judgment as to precautions needed to be taken is essential. Climate control and ambient temperature variances may be experienced and required by patient care and needs of the surgical team. Exposure to limited amounts of radiation, hazardous chemicals or substances and infectious disease processes are a possibility.   Hours of duty may be irregular or unexpectedly extended due to the requirements of the surgery schedule.

Physical Demands

OSHA Exposure Classification:

Job Category III. Tasks/activities do not entail predictable or unpredictable exposure to blood or other body fluids to which universal precautions apply.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Ability:

• Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
• Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy required
• Current licensure in the state of Texas
• Ability to relate and work effectively with others
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written English communications for safe and effective patient care and to meet documentation standards
• Previous experience as a pharmacist in a hospital setting is preferred
• 1-3 years managerial experience required