Director, Pharmacy

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the overall operation of the Pharmacy Department; ensures compliance with patient care quality standards as it relates to the care provided to all age groups of patients ranging from newborns to the elderly; directs and controls the purchase and inventory maintenance of pharmaceuticals and related substances and supplies; participates in the department's planning, revenue analysis, budgeting, education, and human resources activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with hospital administration on planning, organizing, and directing pharmacy operations and ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitors activities of the Pharmaceutical Services Department and takes appropriate action as necessary to ensure efficient and effective operation.
• Works closely with the nursing and medical staffs and other clinical department managers in addressing pharmaceutical services issues as they are related to the services provided to all patients ranging from the newborn to the elderly. Understands that there are dosage variations between newborns, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics and knows where to find appropriate information.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Directs and controls the purchase and inventory maintenance of pharmaceuticals.
• Oversees the storage and distribution of all pharmaceutical items in departmental and patient care locations.
• Directs and participates in the development/revision, implementation and communication of policies, guidelines, and standards for the Pharmaceutical Services Department in accordance with the hospital's policies and JCAHO standards.
• Directs and participates in the human resources management function for the department by coordinating the selection, promotion, orientation, and performance appraisal processes.
• Coordinates the department's in-service training.
• Attends and participates on hospital committees such as the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Department Manager's Meeting and Performance Improvement Committee.
• Provides coverage as a staff pharmacist for the department, as necessary.
• Prepares department budget for personnel, operating expenses, and capital equipment. Responsible for fiscal operation of the department.
• Works In the community to bring positive attention to the effective patient care that the hospital provides.
• Maintains a system of records in accordance with hospital policy for recording patient charges as well as maintaining adequate controls over requisitioning and dispensing of pharmaceuticals.
• Maintains formularies, information resources and references for preparations.
• Responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of performance improvement and CQI activities assigned to the Pharmaceutical Services Department.
• Defines problems, collects data, establishes facts, and draws valid conclusions.
• Interprets an extensive variety of technical and financial instructions and deals with several abstract variables.
• Applies mathematical operations to such tasks as dosage calculations, formulation of pharmaceutical preparations and data analysis.
• Reads, analyzes, and interprets pharmacy-related journals.
• Responds to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the hospital staff.
• Writes articles for publication and to effectively present information to management, medical staff, hospital staff and public groups is essential.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS - It is our responsibility to treat all of our customers (patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and outside contacts) with courtesy, dignity, respect and professionalism. The following is an assessment of your performance relative to each of these expectations.

• Welcome and/or greet customers in a professional, polite, and respectful way. Assists customers with finding their way. Makes eye contact; introduces self and explains purpose, when appropriate.
• Assists people with finding proper resources for problem resolution.
• Listens carefully; does not interrupt; gives people full attention.
• Respects privacy and dignity. Respects individual and cultural differences
• Uses a professional and respectful tone. Does not make disparaging remarks about others.
• Respects other people's time and priorities.
• Discusses confidential or sensitive information about customers, employees, or hospital business only with those having a valid need to know, and does so privately, never in public places.
• Responds in a timely manner to requests for help. Responds to customers' needs and provides prompt service, provides a time frame for providing services and explains any delays. If unable to provide service, finds someone who can assist.
• Adapts easily when plans or situations change. Supportive of and appropriately responsive to change.
• Invites questions and comments
• Communicates with clarity and professionalism both orally and in writing.
• Keeps people informed while resolving issues or getting answers to questions.
• Takes responsibility for improving processes and systems; looks for new and better ways of doing things
• Participates openly, honestly shares opinions, and looks for new and better ways of doing things. Demonstrates a willingness to accept assignments in a positive manner.
• Maintains positive working relationships with co-workers and all customers. Works as a member of the team; performs duties in a way that makes it easier for others to perform theirs.
• Avoids personal conversations with co-workers when providing patient care or other customer service. Demonstrates a professional attitude toward co-workers and customers.
• Makes no inappropriate or negative comment about patients, co-workers, physicians, and any aspect of Nashoba Valley Medical Center while in the presence or within hearing of an internal or external customer. Does not initiate conflict and takes measures to ensure that conflict does not occur.
• Demonstrates pride in Nashoba Valley Medical Center by keeping areas clean and safe. Limits eating, drinking and to designated areas and only during approved times.
• Complies with organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Demonstrates ongoing responsibility and commitment to the job through attendance and punctuality in relation to stated work hours.
• Accepts responsibility for the outcome of decisions. Learns from criticism, is open to new ideas and makes appropriate changes.
• Follows professional telephone guidelines.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE/TECHNICAL/OTHER:

Education:

• Doctorate of Pharmacy degree or Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Science with advanced Degree i.e. MBA.
• Graduate from accredited School of Pharmacy

Experience

• Education in all age groups ranging from newborn to the geriatric population obtained either in school education, experience, or subsequent training.

• Management training or equivalent managerial experience required.

Certification/Licensure: Current Pharmacist certification or licensure in State of Massachusetts