Pharmacy Manager

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Pharmacy Manager is the licensed pharmacist responsible for establishing and operating Fora Health's pharmacy services and 340B Drug Pricing Program, and for medication management across the residential, withdrawal management, outpatient, and DUII service lines. The position leads the start-up of pharmacy operations, serves as the organization's subject matter expert on medication safety and pharmacy regulation, and supervises pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff as the department grows. Duties may be assigned, adjusted, or phased by the Chief Administrative Officer as the pharmacy program is built out.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Serves as the licensed pharmacist responsible for medication and pharmacy management across Fora Health's residential, withdrawal management, outpatient, and DUII service lines.
• Leads the start-up of Fora Health's pharmacy services, including securing required Oregon State Board of Pharmacy and DEA registrations, establishing medication storage and dispensing areas, and selecting wholesaler, inventory, and split-billing systems.
• Develops the pharmacy staffing plan and participates in recruitment and onboarding of pharmacy technicians and support staff as the department grows.
• Serves as Pharmacist-in-Charge for Fora Health's registered drug outlet or medication storage areas as required by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy, and maintains all required registrations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains medication management policies and procedures, including storage, security, labeling, administration, reconciliation, and disposal.
• Maintains the organizational formulary and the process for formulary review, exception, and approval.
• Oversees procurement, receipt, inventory, and par levels for all medications and pharmacy supplies.
• Researches drug sources, products, and availability; contributes to and makes drug product selection decisions, including generic substitution and therapeutic interchange consistent with the approved formulary.
• Supervises or assists in the preparation, labeling, unit-dose packaging, and repackaging of medications in accordance with Oregon State Board of Pharmacy requirements.
• Manages controlled substance handling, including perpetual and biennial inventory, reconciliation, waste and destruction documentation, and DEA registration compliance.
• Leads the drug diversion prevention and detection program, including monitoring, investigation, and reporting in coordination with Quality Management and Human Resources.
• Provides clinical pharmacy consultation to prescribers and nursing staff, including medication regimen review, drug interaction screening, and dosing guidance for withdrawal management and medication for opioid use disorder.
• Reviews medication errors and adverse drug reactions, trends findings, and reports to the Quality Management Committee.
• Maintains medication-related components of the electronic health record, including order sets, the medication administration record, and e-prescribing.
• Ensures Prescription Drug Monitoring Program queries are completed in accordance with Fora Health policy.
• Oversees naloxone distribution and patient medication education at admission and discharge.
• Establishes and operates Fora Health's 340B Drug Pricing Program in accordance with HRSA requirements, including application of the patient definition, eligible prescriber and location determinations, prevention of diversion and duplicate discounts, and maintenance of auditable records.
• Manages wholesaler, Prime Vendor Program, split-billing or third-party administrator, and contract pharmacy relationships.
• Conducts scheduled 340B self-audits, prepares the organization for HRSA and manufacturer audits, and reports findings and corrective actions to the Corporate Compliance Officer.
• Supervises pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff as those positions are added to the department.
• Verifies and monitors licensure, certification, and registration for all supervised pharmacy staff.
• Develops and delivers medication-related training for nursing, medical, and program staff.
• Maintains compliance with OAR chapter 309, divisions 018 and 019; Oregon State Board of Pharmacy rules under ORS chapter 689; DEA requirements; CARF standards; 42 CFR Part 2; and HIPAA.
• Serves as the pharmacy point of contact for inspections and surveys conducted by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy, DEA, Oregon Health Authority, HRSA, and CARF; develops and implements plans of correction for identified deficiencies and monitors corrective actions to closure.
• Develops and monitors the pharmacy budget in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer.

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ethical behaviors by adhering to the established code of ethics governing the practice of pharmacy, in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the patient.
• Adhere to Federal and State laws and agency policies and procedures regarding the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Recognize the importance of individual differences that influence patient behavior and apply this understanding to pharmacy practice.
• Maintain current Oregon pharmacist licensure and all registrations required for the position.
• Maintains healthy boundaries with patients and their families.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
• Additional trainings to be completed as assigned in a timely manner.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Participate in ongoing supervision and consultation.
• Serve on the Quality Management, Safety, and other organizational committees as assigned.
• Provide leadership to the teams in such a way that the work environment supports and encourages values of the agency: honesty, empathy, respect, inclusion, unity.
• Proactively identify barriers to effective medication administration systems and works with residential and medical staff to address them.
• Maintain quality treatment services that are responsive to client needs and reflect best practices.
• Oversees operational aspects of clinical tasks and roles and provides strategic advice/direction to functionalize the service delivery model.
• Coordinate with Medical, Residential, Withdrawal Management, and Outpatient leadership on medication-related workflows and needs.
• Evaluate pharmacy vendor performance and recommend changes to the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of pharmacy equipment; document maintenance history and flag items in need of repair or replacement.

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS

This position has supervisory duties. The Pharmacy Manager is expected to supervise pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff as those positions are added to the department. Specific supervisory duties, including hiring, performance evaluation, and corrective action, will be defined in coordination with Human Resources at the time pharmacy staff are added, and will be carried out in accordance with Oregon State Board of Pharmacy requirements.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from an ACPE-accredited program.
• Active, unrestricted license to practice pharmacy issued by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy under ORS chapter 689, maintained throughout employment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of licensed pharmacy practice experience.
• Experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, hospital, or ambulatory care pharmacy preferred.
• Experience with the 340B Drug Pricing Program preferred; willingness to obtain the Apexus Certified 340B Expert credential within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Supervisory or lead experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Working knowledge of medications used in substance use disorder treatment, including medication for opioid use disorder, withdrawal management protocols, and commonly co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions.
• Working knowledge of federal and Oregon pharmacy law, DEA controlled substance requirements, and 340B Program requirements.
• Ability to interpret regulation and translate it into practical policy, procedure, and workflow.
• Ability to supervise, train, develop, and evaluate pharmacy staff.
• Proficient with electronic health records and pharmacy inventory or split-billing systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Outlook, Excel and Word
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting ideas, transmitting information, or convey concepts to individuals or groups of people of varying educational, cultural and experiential levels.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with patients, the community, and other staff members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with patients, other treatment program staff, team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Written and organizational skills to complete all required documentation.
• Communicates information effectively in writing and verbally
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Displays initiative and problem-solving skills
• Marked ability to demonstrate and utilize self-awareness
• Intermediate understanding of mental health disorders and symptom presentation

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• For employees with a history of substance use disorder, Fora Health’s policy requires certification of a minimum of six months of sobriety for this position.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and for cause Tuberculin and drug screening tests.
• Ability to pass DHS criminal background check.
• Must maintain active licensure and all required registrations throughout employment, and must report any investigation, restriction, or disciplinary action affecting licensure to Human Resources immediately.
• Must not be excluded from participation in federal health care programs; subject to screening against the OIG List of Excluded Individuals and Entities and the System for Award Management at hire and monthly thereafter.
• Position will require some amount of regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Prolonged use of computer
• Position requires on-call availability to respond to medication-related questions and emergency situations during off-duty hours, including via cell phone.
• Position generally works in an indoor office and clinical environment with frequent travel between sites.
• Position does not consistently require overtime. Adjustment of work schedule may be required.
• Work in secured medication storage areas, including handling of controlled substances.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including COVID, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled or emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, and families.
• Fast paced, high volume work environment.