Director, Specialty Pharmacy (Pharmacist)

About Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health is a global healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. With approximately 48,000 mission-driven partners, we strive each day to advance healthcare and improve lives. We provide customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. Our customer-centric focus drives continuous improvement and leads to innovative solutions that improve the lives of people every day.

About the Advanced Therapy Solutions Team: Our Advanced Therapy Solutions (ATS) team is dedicated to supporting biopharma pioneers in delivering cell and gene therapies (CGTs) to patients who need them most. From clinical development to commercialization, our experts partner with clients to ensure therapies reach the hands of patients who need them most. We have processed over 15,000 CGT orders and support more than 425 active sites of care administering CGTs.

The Director, Specialty Pharmacy will lead the development and operational launch of a specialty pharmacy focused on dispensing Cell and Gene Therapies (CGT) and other complex treatments to healthcare provider sites. This role will collaborate closely with payers and healthcare providers to streamline the white bagging process, ensuring efficient and timely delivery. Serving as the Pharmacist in Charge, the Director will be responsible for the pharmacy’s P&L and will lead and scale the specialty pharmacy team.

This position reports to the Vice President, Emerging Therapies.

Responsibilities       

• Advanced Therapy Specialty Pharmacy Build: Develop and enhance specialty pharmacy capabilities to support the distribution and administration of advanced therapies.
• Advanced Therapy Specialty Pharmacy (ATSP) Leadership: Serve as the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC) for the specialty pharmacy.  Think strategically, make sound recommendations, and support the future growth of the ATSP, including mentoring / managing junior staff in the future. Work independently in a start-up like environment.
• Product Handling: Oversee the receipt, labeling, and dispensing of advanced therapies, including CGTs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining product integrity.
• Collaboration: Work closely with CGT manufacturers and hospital systems to facilitate white bagging processes, ensuring seamless product delivery to healthcare providers.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all pharmacy operations comply with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as company policies.
• Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of medication dispensing, patient interactions, and clinical outcomes.
• Education and Training: Act as subject matter expert on latest advancements in CGT, and provide ongoing education to internal and external stakeholders, as needed 
  • Specialty Pharmacy Board Certification (CSP) required or obtained within 12 months of hire.
  • Demonstrated leadership in clinical pharmacy practice, specialty pharmacy accreditation (URAC, ACHC), quality initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration.

Team Goals:

Building a Specialty Pharmacy: Develop and enhance specialty pharmacy capabilities to support the distribution and administration of advanced therapies

Expanding Distribution Channels: Partner with manufacturers to expand their distribution channels, ensuring broader access to innovative therapies

Quality and Compliance: Maintain the highest standards of quality and compliance in all pharmacy operations, ensuring patient safety and product integrity

Innovation and Collaboration: Drive innovation and collaboration across the ATS team and with external partners to continuously improve service offerings and patient care

Qualifications

• Education: PharmD or equivalent degree in pharmacy required; current active pharmacist license required
• Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of experience preferred as a licensed pharmacist; licensed in the state of Tennessee or willing to obtain within the first 6 months in role required
• Specialty Knowledge: 4+ years of experience preferred in specialty pharmacy, with experience dispensing cell and gene therapies.  Exposure to building or starting up a specialty pharmacy including creating new policies and procedures preferred.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success leading pharmacy operations at independent or hospital-affiliated specialty pharmacy or large payer-integrated specialty pharmacy. 
• Financial: Understanding of the payer landscape for specialty and CGT produc