Full-time Director of Pharmacy

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title:  Director of Pharmacy Services

Effective Date: October 24, 2021

Supervisor:  Chief Financial Officer

Department:  Pharmacy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Responsible for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of performance improvement and quality improvement activities assigned to Pharmacy Services. Defines problems, collects data, establishes facts and draws valid conclusions to develop effective improvement action plans consistent with recognized best practices. Responds to hospital quality initiative requests in which Pharmacy is a stakeholder.
2. Provides drug information to patients, health care providers and other health care professionals. Provides individual patient medication teaching on newly-prescribed medications and medication regimens. Provides drug information to clinical staff and healthcare providers on patient rounds, when initiating medication use interventions, in response to inquiries by clinical staff and via routine agenda items at the Medical Staff meetings. Educates pharmacy staff and other health care professionals regarding medication-related educational needs.
3. Develops policies and procedures that promote the effective, appropriate and safe use of drugs in all patient care activities in the health center.
4. Coordinates the operation of the Pharmacy Department, monitors activities of Pharmacy Services and takes appropriate action as necessary to ensure efficient and effective operation. Performs all aspects of pharmaceutical care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medication/medical errors.
5. Participates in various committees as assigned.
6. Coordinates pharmacy services with all other health center departments, including evaluation and implementation of recommendations from the health center’s committees that relate to pharmacy services.
7. Works closely with nursing staff, healthcare providers and other clinical department managers in addressing Pharmacy Services as they relate to medication management provided to all patients ranging from newborn to the elderly. Understands there are dosage variations between newborns, pediatrics, adolescents, adults and geriatrics and assures adequate resources are available to evaluate appropriateness of medication utilization in these populations. Provides an annual review of medication use for specific age/condition populations.
8. Interviews, recommends for hire, orients, trains, evaluates the performance of pharmacy personnel, and when necessary, disciplines and recommends discharge of subordinate personnel.
9. Prepares departmental reports on the activities of the pharmacy department for hospital administration as needed and acts as an advisory person to Administration regarding pharmacy issues.
10. Attends educational conferences and/or pharmacy professional meetings as financially appropriate to maintain professional licensure and keep abreast of current trends, best practices and changes in the pharmacy and healthcare fields.
11. Assumes role and responsibility of Staff Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician.
12. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
13. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
14. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
15. Responsible for following safe-injection practices.
16. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
17. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (Teamstepps, Just Culture, etc.).
18. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
19. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge of the effective, appropriate and safe use of drugs in order to optimize drug use in all patients as is typically acquired through the completion of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited school or college of Pharmacy.
2. Must hold a current active Pharmacist license issued by the state of Nebraska. Minimum registry of Registered Pharmacist. Must also obtain and maintain licensure as a Registered Pharmacist with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Current Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required.
4. Completion of a hospital pharmacy residency preferred.
5. Knowledge of the specialized function of hospital pharmacy services, usually attained by completion of a