Chief Pharmacist- Atrius Health

Pharmacy Chief

Explore opportunities at Atrius Health, part of the Optum family of businesses. We're an innovative health care leader and multi-specialty group practice, delivering an effective, connected system of care for adult and pediatric patients at 28 practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Our entire team of providers (physicians, AP/NPs and ancillary clinicians) works collaboratively with a value-based philosophy within our group practice as well as with hospitals, rehab and nursing facilities. Be part of our vision to transform care and improve lives by building trust, understanding and shared decision-making with every patient. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Under general direction from the Chief Pharmacy Officer, Director of Pharmacy and Regional Pharmacy Operations Manager, and in accordance with Atrius Health policies and procedures, federal and state laws and regulations, and pharmacy professional standards, has responsibility for the overall operation of the site pharmacy including hiring and supervision of staff, regulatory compliance, budget preparation and performance, weekly scheduling, acquisition, inventory and disbursement of pharmaceuticals, along with all operations including workflow, prescription processing, inventory management, financial profitability, payroll management, and security, with emphasis on ensuring Service Excellence to our patients. Maximizes the P&L. Oversees and develops the daily activities of support personnel, maintains highest day to day pharmacy operations standards, and continuously monitors to ensure best practice behaviors within the Atrius Health environment. Responsible for improving site pharmacy processes and business metrics that enhance patient care, improve capture, integrate technology and initiatives, and align operations. Works with a great sense of urgency, provides exemplary patient service, maximizes positive patient outcomes, promotes one team culture, leads and motivates team to adapt to changing needs, and demonstrates professionalism in all their interactions. Maintains quality control and documents safety reports needed to support effective and safe operations. Collaborates with pharmacy personnel, physicians, and other clinical department staff to deliver safe and optimal drug therapy. Works rotating shifts to meet patient and business needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leads and manages the daily operations of the department and prioritizes direction to ensure pharmacy success by executing strategy, motivating and inspiring team, maximizing contributions, executing daily tasks, supporting the team, and building rapport with clinicians, colleagues, clinical departments, and patients to improve Capture. Adheres to, maintains, and implements policies and procedures, Atrius Health Code of Conduct, and ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Ensures safe and accurate dispensing of all prescriptions and over the counter drugs (OTCs), including the utilization of patient profile review for drug interactions. Responsible to ensure pharmacists verify authenticity of prescriptions, resolve prescription discrepancies and clarifications, validate prescription order entry, proper labeling and filling of medication container and ensuring processes in place for accurate shipping and delivery. Ensures that all patients are provided the opportunity to receive counseling. Utilizes control processes to measure quality of dispensing. Periodically surveys patient satisfaction and addresses patient complaints associated with the department's services
• Develops, monitors, oversees and is accountable for department operating budget, including cost of goods sold and profit margins. Analyzes performance against budget and reports findings to central pharmacy administration. Submits monthly departmental operating statistics, utilizing uniform divisional format, to pharmacy administration and accounting. Ensures that operations are managed within budget and established guidelines. Develops and implements cost saving measures as appropriate. Maximizes use of organizational resources
• Contributes to the development of meaningful solutions to drive growth, increase Capture, and improve site and team performance. Is engaged in the department, is accountable to job expectations, and models Service Excellence. Owns team decisions, along with communicating and supporting departmental and or organization initiatives. Drives results and accountability among the team, and facilitates the implementation & acceptance of change within the workplace
• Actively contributes to one team culture and works to support and develop pharmacy team. Ensures team members are oriented, trained, developed to top of licensure, and evaluated per department and organization guidelines. Works to promote employee engagement
• Manages pharmacy and staff performance by overseeing and assigning tasks to ensure complex operational actives are met in a timely manner. Provides direction to staff by coaching and providing constructive feedback, monitoring service to our patients, and fostering employee development. Motivates team members by establishing expectations, monitoring and recognizing progress, and conducting performance evaluations while promoting a shared vision
• Ensures Pharmacists lead and direct the work within the pharmacy, are accountable to support the management, oversight and operation of all aspects within site pharmacy, and are responsible for pharmacy performance. Ensures Pharmacists has oversight of all processes prior to dispensing the medication per policies and procedures. Ensures Pharmacist provides coaching, feedback and training for support staff and are responsible for direct oversight of the pharmacy technician's activities in the pharmacy
• Acquires and disburses all pharmaceuticals within the practice. Oversees facility security, proper storage of medications, purchase, and control of pharmaceuticals; maintains accurate records of controlled substances per regulations and policies. Oversees and monitors expired medications, drug shortage action plans, returns, and recalls per policy. Assures appropriate controls are in place for the security of prescription blanks
• Ensures documentation is monitored and maintained for all areas related to drug preparation and delivery, including order entry, equipment management, adverse events, and drug inventory per established department guidelines
• Takes an active role in the identification, development and implementation of quality improvement projects. Works with pharmacy administration and colleagues to develop and implement enhanced professional and operational activities. Makes recommendations for revisions as appropriate
• Identifies and reports medication-related safety events and HIPAA violations per policy
• Implements Documented Counseling and/or Corrective Action per company guidelines
• Keeps current all employee and department licenses/certifications, registrations, and Power of Attorney for DEA Orders, including revocations. Monitors pharmacist and technician compliance with state/federal mandated continuing educational requirements
• Takes an active role in assigned projects and activities beyond Chief duties that support Atrius Health mission, values, and goals
• Preceptor role is performed to ensure pharmacy students achieve performance standards
• Represents the department at facility and plan-wide meetings and special task forces, as required in his/her area of expertise. Orients new clinicians to departmental and corporate pharmacy processes and tools
• Works collaboratively with other Chiefs and colleagues to ensure the success of the overall Atrius Pharmacy Department
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Performs a wide range of routine and complex pharmaceutical duties/projects and oversight in support of Specialty Pharmacy
• Develops strong working relationships with the leaders of the clinical departments to grow the specialty pharmacy business
• Establishes working relationships with account managers to acquire specialty medications from wholesalers, or direct from the manufacturer
• Provides administrative oversight and coaching to the Specialty Pharmacy Supervisor
• Dedicates greater than 10% of work time to implementing quality measurement and improvement programs for Specialty Pharmacy delivery
• Leads and manages a group of exempt and nonexempt pharmacy staff, including subordinate supervisors. Delegates Pharmacist in Charge during Chief absence. Carries out supervisory and leadership responsibilities within areas of responsibility in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Oversees the operations and personnel of the pharmacy to ensure consumer and staff safety. Provides consistent monitoring and frequent coaching/counseling of staff to set expectations. Provides direction and support to staff to assure departmental effectiveness and efficiency. Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, orienting and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; coaching and evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; reviewing personnel actions of subordinates and addressing complaints and resolving problems. Develops talent and properly succession plan

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of accredited school of Pharmacy; Pharm D or Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy
• Currently be a Registered Pharmacist in the state of Massachusetts with an active pharmacist license without restrictions from the MA Board of Pharmacy
• Complete 20 Continuing Education (CE) credits per calendar year as required by Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and in accordance with Pharmacy Staff License Monitoring and Maintenance of Credentials Policy
• Not be listed on the Exclusion Database List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on specialty
• Immunization certified recommended
• Solid knowledge of pharmacy operations and fee for service business
• Solid computer skills are required including proficient with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Proven excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and must also display well-developed interpersonal skills in order to work successfully with all levels of management, staff, colleagues, and patients