Pharmacy Supervisor - Inpatient

Pharmacy Supervisor

The primary function of the Pharmacy Supervisor is to direct and coordinate the daily workflow and operational activities within the Inpatient Pharmacy. These activities include helping to coordinate staff scheduling and staff assignments, as well as workflow monitoring and management, directing veteran and non-veteran patient customer service, and occasionally working online as a pharmacist, if needed. The Pharmacy Supervisor will be responsible for supervising multiple pharmacists and technicians, as well as providing oversight to trainees, pharmacy students and volunteers that work within the area. The Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor must manage people, maintain effective interdepartmental relations, exhibit effective problem resolution skills, and cooperate with other services to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. Additional duties include assuring that the inpatient pharmacy areas are compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements, designing and implementing orientation and training programs for staff, developing and performing ongoing competency assessments, and maintaining systems to monitor the performance of staff activities. The Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor develops policies and procedures related to his/her assigned area. Lastly, the incumbent will serve as a key member of the Pharmacy Management Team and perform duties as assigned by the team.

Functions or scope of assigned duties:

• Pharmacy Operations
  • Provides first-line coordination and oversight for pharmacist and technician inpatient pharmacy work activities, including staff leave and scheduling, staff work assignments, drug distribution processes, preparation of sterile and non-sterile products, veteran and non-veteran customer services, and regulatory compliance regarding medication control and security.
  • Manages the distribution and control of scheduled and unscheduled medications including investigational drugs in the area of responsibility. Helps coordinate provision of cost-effective procurement, preparation, and distribution of pharmaceuticals.
  • Participates in drug distribution reviews as a part of Medical Center performance improvement teams to coordinate and evaluate compliance and readiness for external review bodies such as JC, SOARS, OIG, including drug utilization reviews and audits.
  • Ensures processes are in place to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of special populations such as pharmacokinetic dosing parameters, and other pharmacotherapeutic considerations.
  • Functions as the leave approving official following department policy and procedure. Monitors leave usage to prevent abuse of the leave privilege and to assure accountability.
  • Contributes to adequate quality assurance and quality improvement activities, including development and maintenance of effective services, systems, and processes from both patient outcome and cost perspective using audits, continuous monitors, and patient safety reports.
• Clinical
  • Applies expert level proficiency in clinical pharmacy.
  • Assesses appropriateness of clinical decisions based on available data and evidence and uses clinical judgement to guide clinical pharmacists when necessary.
  • Operationalizes clinical pharmacy activities, (e.g., therapeutic interchanges, formulary initiatives, monitoring protocols, updates in policy) within the assigned program area.
  • Collaborates with other service line supervisors, coordinators, and staff in the design and implementation of clinical pharmacy services.
  • Effectively prioritizes patient care activities based on patient need and resources available.
  • Effectively communicates with other professionals using professional terminology and with patients using language appropriate for the assessed level of understanding.
• Leadership
  • Provides direct supervision to a team of inpatient clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
  • Conducts performance evaluations, sets performance standards, and provides ongoing feedback, coaching, and professional development.
  • Identifies training needs and implements new employee training plans and staff development initiatives to ensure high competency levels and professional growth.
  • Promotes the continuous development of integrated clinical pharmacy services by all staff members within the inpatient pharmacy areas.
• Administrative
  • Prepares administrative reports and documentation as required by the Chief of Pharmacy Services or other VA leadership.
  • Participates in strategic planning and assessment for pharmacy services.
  • Participates in committees as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized