Pharmacist-In-Charge

Pharmacist-In-Charge

Under general direction of the Pharmacy Supervisor, the Pharmacist-In-Charge (PIC) ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for a single pharmacy; compounds and dispenses prescribed medications; may provide functional supervision of professional, paraprofessional, and support staff; and performs related duties as required.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Regulatory Compliance Expertise: In-depth knowledge of state and federal pharmacy laws and regulations to ensure the legal operation of the pharmacy.
• Pharmaceutical Proficiency: Skilled in compounding and dispensing medications, and maintaining detailed records of prescription transactions.
• Supervisory Skills: Ability to provide functional supervision, including training, assigning duties, and evaluating staff performance.
• Effective Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills to collaborate with medical professionals and counsel patients on medication use.
• Attention to Detail: High accuracy in maintaining records, managing inventory, and documenting medication errors.

About the Program: The County Health Pharmacy is a crucial partner of the physician and provider community in the provision of quality health care. The Pharmacy Program fills approximately 90,000 prescriptions for patients each year. Our pharmacists provide counseling services on the importance of medication compliance and have oversight of indigent related programs, such as patient assistance medication programs and the 340B programs. The Pharmacy Program utilizes robotics and workflow techniques to increase safety and decrease wait times. The accuracy rates of the pharmacy programs have been documented to be greater than 99%.

Examples of duties include:

1. Maintains records of all transactions of the pharmacy necessary to ensure accurate control over and accountability for all drugs as required by applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; ensures legal operation of the pharmacy, including meeting all inspection and other requirements of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing pharmacy operations.
2. Fills prescriptions for pharmaceutical preparations and devices for patients at County facilities; maintains accurate and detailed records of all prescription transactions, and submits appropriate claims for third-party reimbursement; consults with physicians and nurses regarding pharmaceutical questions; advises physicians on formulary medications and cost-effective and innovative therapies; answers pharmaceutical questions from patients and staff; monitors storage, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals.
3. May provide functional supervision to professional, paraprofessional, and support staff in their respective pharmacy, including training, assigning duties, and providing input for performance evaluations.
4. Documents and reports medication errors to direct supervisor.

Employment standards include:

1. Possession of a valid Pharmacist license issued by the California State Board of Pharmacy, and one year of professional experience as a Pharmacist; OR
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

Knowledge of: inventory control; the compounding of prescriptions and stock pharmaceutical preparations; pharmaceutical chemistry and manufacturing methods; drugs, chemicals, and pharmaceutical supplies required in the operation of a pharmacy; state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the legal operation of a pharmacy; medical record keeping requirements and procedures; the use and dispensing of narcotics and poisons. Ability to: learn modern pharmacy management, including accounting procedures within medical payment/reimbursement programs; learn to assign, prioritize, and evaluate the work of others; learn to develop and implement operational procedures; collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations; maintain accurate records and document actions taken; make arithmetical calculations; maintain confidentiality of information; understand, interpret, explain, and comply with laws, regulations, and policies governing pharmacy operations; compound a wide variety of drugs and medicines and maintain appropriate related records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with fellow medical professionals and patients; develop harmonious professional relationships with clinic staff; counsel patients on proper use of medication; learn and apply principles and practices of supervision.

County of Santa Barbara