Pharmacy Services Manager

Pharmacy Services Manager at Houston Methodist Hospital

At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Services Manager position is responsible for providing and assuring quality pharmaceutical care in accordance with accepted ethical and professional practices and all legal and regulatory requirements. This role organizes, manages, controls, monitors, and evaluates pharmacy services that promote desirable patient outcomes through the use of safe, sufficient, and cost-effective drug therapies.

The manager position responsibilities include managing the daily work activities of the department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency while assisting management in accomplishing strategic and operational objectives. In addition, this position provides guidance to staff and is responsible for staffing, budget compliance, contributing to staffing decisions such as hiring and terminating employment, coaching and counseling employees on work-related performance, and assisting in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position also implements training, monitoring and operations initiatives that secure compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.
• An advanced degree (i.e., master’s degree or Pharm.D) preferred.

Experience

• Must have one of the following:
• Successful completion of an ASHP-accredited post-graduate year one (PGY1) and year two (PGY2) residency training program.
• Successful completion of an ASHP-accredited fellowship program.
• Six years of hospital pharmacy experience.
• Prior experience in a lead role, or HM experience and performance that demonstrates leadership abilities.
• Prefer experience with computerized drug distribution/pharmacy management systems, drug preparation and drug use control systems, drug product selection, purchasing, inventory control, clinical, ambulatory pharmacy services, specialized drug delivery devices, and teaching.

Licenses and Certifications

Required

• PHRM - Pharmacist - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV.
• PPC - Pharmacist Preceptor Cert - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV.
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association.

Preferred

• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA).
• IV Certification - Intravenous certification (Various) or Board of Pharmacy Specialties Certification.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially impacting patient or employee safety.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers with a customer service focus.
• Ability to interact with others to build confidence in intentions and organization.
• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction, initiative, and effective communication.
• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities, drawing conclusions from data.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.
• Familiarity with clinical, administrative, educational, and research activities in contemporary hospital pharmacy practice.
• Working knowledge of sterilization and aseptic techniques.
• Ability and willingness to contribute to pharmaceutical literature.
• Understanding of basic principles of rational drug therapy and ability to train others.
• Knowledge and ability to fiscally manage a hospital pharmacy division.
• Basic background knowledge of biostatistical techniques and research methodology in drug evaluation.
• Professional knowledge, database, and judgment to accurately dispense medications and intervene in monitoring drug therapy for all patient age groups.
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet development.
• Professional and technical competence in critical selection, evaluation, and utilization of pharmaceutical, medical, and scientific literature.
• Ability to integrate distributive, supportive, and clinical activities.
• Ability to monitor compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to drugs and drug delivery devices.
• Knowledge and ability to apply continuous quality improvement (CQI) principles to pharmacy services (e.g., PDSA, Six-Sigma, Lean, FMEA).
• Competence in research related to pharmacy practice and maintains active credentialing with HM Research Institute as applicable.

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

• Performs management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees. Provides development and mentoring of staff, aiming to meet or exceed department turnover goals.
• Provides fair and consistent leadership and communication through regular department meetings, rounding, performance appraisals, coaching, and recognition.
• Facilitates and promotes effective team dynamics and process improvements within and between departments.
• Meets or exceeds department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.

Service Essential Functions

• Plans and organizes day-to-day department operations, schedules, and activities, setting priorities to ensure high service delivery and patient satisfaction.
• Drives department service standards and activities to impact patient/customer satisfaction scores through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serves on entity committees as a department voice.
• Serves as a liaison between medical, nursing, allied health staff, and the pharmacy department for operational issues.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment, monitoring and revising the department safety plan and accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines. Monitors staff credential compliance.
• Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations, supporting performance improvement and data management.
• Employs a proactive approach to optimizing safe outcomes by monitoring and improving workflow, reporting near misses, and identifying solutions. Adopts lean principles for process improvements.
• Monitors self and employee compliance with policies, procedures, and HR Standards of Practice.
• Assists the Director in integrating pharmacy services to ensure compliance with legal requirements and accreditation rules.
• Promotes positive patient outcomes through appropriate pharmaceutical use.
• Provides leadership and expertise in medication management processes, integrating people and technology effectively.

Finance Essential Functions

• Assists in department budget development and ensures cost-effective operations, managing expenses within approved parameters. Develops staffing plans reflecting cost-effectiveness.
• Implements department strategies to achieve financial targets and staffing needs, optimizing productivity, resource efficiency, and minimizing overtime.
• Maintains cost-effective inventory levels and follows formulary guidelines.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Identifies and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes, leading unit projects and supporting shared governance activities.
• Proactively evaluates processes, recommends and implements action plans for change, and participates in procedure development/revision.
• Identifies opportunities to build strategic relationships between departments to achieve business goals.
• Seeks opportunities for self and staff development, ensuring career discussions and updating My Development Plans (MDP).
• Maintains active involvement in professional organizations and participates in hospital education and research programs, including preceptorship.

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire

• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes

On-Call

• Yes (employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies).

Travel

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area.
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area.

Key skills/competency

• Pharmacy Management
• Pharmaceutical Care
• Regulatory Compliance
• Patient Safety
• Inventory Control
• Leadership Development
• Budget Management
• Quality Improvement
• Drug Therapy Monitoring
• Team Leadership