Health System Director of Pharmacy

ABOUT THE MA STATE OFFICE OF PHARMACY (MSOPS):

The MA State Office of Pharmacy (MSOPS) provides clinical and distributive pharmacy services to several separate and distinct agencies within the MA Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) and Executive Office of Public Safety & Security (EOPSS).  The Pharmacy Distribution Center (PDC) located in Tewksbury, MA serves as the primary central fill location, providing medications in unit dose or blister card form for DDS, DPH, DMH, DOC, and HOC facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Lemuel Shattuck Hospital and the Veterans Homes at Chelsea and Holyoke have on-site pharmacies. Other locations are supported by a network of site-based Clinical Operations Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technician staff.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Cardinal Health Director of Pharmacy Operations and Account Management and MSOPS Chief Pharmacy Officer, the Health System Pharmacy Director (HSD) is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all functions of the MSOPS pharmacy Services. The HSD assures all legal, regulatory, and accrediting requirements are maintained at the best demonstrated practice. The HSD assures pharmacy services and activities are carried out to meet goals and standards of both Cardinal Health and MSOPS and maintains a professional presence throughout the health system including communications with pharmacy staff and MSOPS leadership.  

Responsibilities:

  • Maintains thorough understanding and accountability of/for the requirements and all deliverables of the MSOPS RFR/Contract and all attachments including, but not limited to:

    • Required reports and timing of delivery

    • Hours of operation and coverage by management team to include weekends

  • Manages the pharmacy budget and all aspects related to the financial program.

  • Is responsible and accountable for monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) as defined in the Contractor Performance Evaluation (CPE)

    • Evaluates KPIs monthly to assess current performance and communicates results to Cardinal Health leadership as well as on-site leadership and staff

    • Identifies areas of risk and guides improvement efforts to maximize annual CPE outcome

  • Oversees development, maintaining, and updating of the pharmacy Policy and Procedure manual for the system within PolicyTech

  • Actively participates in the State Advisory Committee P&T and other facility P&T committees as defined by MSOPS.

  • Participates in develop and maintenance an Antimicrobial Stewardship program, in conjunction with multidisciplinary team members

  • Participates in MSOPS committee meetings necessary to enhance practice and patient care

  • Assures there is a process for medication charges, and that they are accurately and timely posted to accounts

  • Provides leadership and oversight for development and maintenance of information systems and other technology applications within the Pharmacy

  • Uses Econotherapeutic best practices in formulary and cost control

    • Use Cardinal Health applications and DCOA, to analyze data and manage clinical initiatives where applicable

  • Responsible for all drug storage areas (all locations) in accordance with legal and best demonstrated practice

  • Leads and oversees preparation and delivery of medication throughout the MSOPS system

  • Ensures standards and training for sterile product preparation are established in compliance with USP 795/797/800 non-sterile and sterile preparation standards, including annual review of master formulation records

  • Provides leadership and oversight of the design, implementation, maintenance of all pharmacy quality activities including, but not limited to, a clearly outlined medication safety program

  • Collaborates with site Directors of Pharmacy and System Clinical Director to achieve acceptable scores as defined by Cardinal Health on operations assessments/audits (PPA, Regulatory, Accreditation, BOP, etc)

  • Defines and manages the activities and performance of pharmacy leadership team and pharmacy staff

  • Recruits, hires, retains, and separates employees using Cardinal Health policies and procedures

  • Arranges/conducts hospital and pharmacy orientation and onboarding for new hires within 60 days

  • Assures the development and implementation of a training and competency program for all staff and maintains records of those completed competencies

  • Assures approval of MUE criteria, perform MUE, and report results in committee meetings

  • Precepts Health System Administration rotation for PGY1 Residency Program

  • Assures control and documentation of controlled substances as defined within Cardinal Health Regulatory requirements and best practices

  • Assures development and implementation of a process for all drug recalls

  • Leads departmental meetings, in-services, and quality improvement programs

  • Adheres to facility and departmental policies and procedures.  Complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, security, fire, and infection control.  Complies with all applicable state, local and federal regulations

  • Maintains safety-integrity-professionalism of pharmacy at all times including communication with coworkers

  • Provide in-services to pharmacy staff and hospital professional staff and assures acquisition and renewal of all pharmacy licenses and permits and staff licenses

  • Oversees monthly medication area inspections and have supporting documentation

  • Performs special projects as requested

  • Performs as Staff Pharmacist as needed

  • Other duties and work scheduled as assigned to assure continuity of service to MSOPS

Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree or equivalent from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy

  • Active Registered Pharmacist license in good standing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (System Director may also be eligible for licensing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with license secured within a timeframe agreed upon prior to hire by Cardinal Health.)

  • Three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a Manager or Director of Pharmacy in an acute care and/or long-term care setting

  • Ability to work and make sound decisions independently

  • Ability to integrate clinical services, training and education, and research activities

  • Strong leadership ability with excellent communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills

  • Possesses a data driven mindset and must understand and use basic statistical methods and formal analytic methods

  • Must have a positive work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills to motivate other team members and promote a professional work environment

  • Completion of an American Association of Hospital Pharmacist (ASHP) accredited PGY1 residency

  • Substantial knowledge in project management, performance improvement, risk management principles, patient safety, and planning

  • Experience with information systems applicable to the medication use process including but not limited to electronic medical records, smart pump technologies and databases, automated dispensing cabinets, and medication carousels

  • Training and proficiency in age specific therapies for all patients serviced, such as Behavioral, Corrections, pediatric, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric

  • Initially will be required to rotate weekend shift coverage (approximately every 6 weeks)

Anticipated salary range: $130,100 - $210,315

Bonus eligible: Yes

Benefits: Cardinal Health offers a wide variety of benefits and programs to support health and well-being.

  • Medical, dental and vision coverage
  • Paid time off plan
  • Health savings account (HSA)
  • 401k savings plan
  • Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Work-Life resources
  • Paid parental leave
  • Healthy lifestyle programs


Application window anticipated to close: 10/16/2024 *if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

The salary range listed is an estimate. Pay at Cardinal Health is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographical location, relevant education, experience and skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.