Director of Pharmacy Services

Department:Pharmacy

Reports to:Chief Medical Officer

FLSA Status:Exempt

Type of Position:Full-Time

Revised Date:04/04/2024

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is:  “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is:  “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Pharmacist is responsible for any and all functions within and/or dealing with the pharmacy department and/or any pharmaceuticals dispensed at Santo Domingo Health Center.  The purpose of this position is to provide a high level of pharmaceutical/clinical care and develop/maintain a provision of care relative to patient and Santo Domingo Health Center needs within an available budget.  The Director of Pharmacy Services reports to the KPHC Chief Medical Officer.

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws, regulations and clinical standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

General

• Communicates to the team, the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values integrated with the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.
• Shares with the team, assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.
• Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established workflow. Assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload.

• Provides on the job training to team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects, and provide or arrange for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• Checks on work in progress or spot check work not requiring review  and reviews completed work to see that instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.
• Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and maintains program and administrative reference materials and supplies available; maintains current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, directives, etc.
• Reports on expected time of completion of work, and maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepares reports as requested.
• Researches, learns and applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze and improve team effectiveness, efficiency and work products.
• Keeps employees informed of procedures, policies, directives, employee benefits, available services, latest program developments and/or changes and employee activities.

Supervisory Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs and plans for a pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacy provision of care, and is responsible for the professional actions of pharmacy staff.  Maintains and improves a comprehensive pharmacy program including clinical pharmacy services, medication processing and dispensing, medication counseling, clinic services, in-clinic services referrals, emergency preparedness and drug information services.
• Provides representation for the pharmacy department at various interdisciplinary team meetings and Health Center administrative meetings.
• Assures close working relationship with administration, clinic departments, drug vendors, HMOs, referral agencies and tribal programs.
• Monitor the quality of services provided by the pharmacy so as to assure that the right medication gets to the right patient at the right time.
• Prepares a fiscal year budget including forecast of expenditures of pharmaceuticals to be used, equipment contracts, equipment replacement/upgrades, pharmacy staff and miscellaneous pharmaceutical related device and storage components.   Provides cost analysis reports, cost controls, stores and third party billing information.
• Reviews pharmacy and pharmaceutical related policies as required and is responsible for policy maintenance, revisions and/or development as related to pharmaceutical services facility wide.
• Evaluates the impact of pharmacy services through a planned program of quality assurance that meets the standards of AAAHC or selected accreditation/certification bodies.
• Serves as the facility narcotics control officer and represents the facility when requested.  Maintains records required by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
• Supervises all assigned staff including technicians, students and support staff. Performs evaluations for pharmacy staff per program standards.  Also reviews evaluations made by other pharmacy administrative staff on subordinate employees. 
• Evaluates the need for pharmacy services and streamline processes for efficiency and patient safety.
• Evaluates and coordinates Point of Sale Third Party Collection adjudication measures and reviews and resubmits claims as needed.
• Coordinates and manages ScriptPro Pharmacy system and licensing requirements.
• Coordinates and manages CareFusion (Pyxis) system and licensing requirements.
• Coordinates with KPHC electronic medical record staff for NextGen drug formulary updates
• Coordinates and manages the KPHC Consumer Drug Take Back Program and licensing requirements.
• Recruits and hires pharmacy personnel in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Collaborates with educational institutions for providing mentorship and training opportunities.
• Vice-Chair of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Member of KPHC Leadership Committee.
• Other duties as assigned.

Clinical Pharmacy Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs all pharmacy functions for the full range of pharmaceuticals provided at the Health Center.
• Reviews medication records, history and physicals, labs and additional information pertinent to patient care for accurateness, efficacy, potential for drug interactions and potential for adverse reactions.
• Adjusts medication based on kinetics, reported drug levels, weight, liver function, and kidney function.
• Evaluates and interprets (antimicrobial stewardship) culture and sensitivity reports, and recommends appropriate antibiotics.
• Provides patient medication counseling and teaching.
• Serves as therapeutic consultant and source of drug information for medical staff and nursing.
• Reconciles patient medication records to ensure completeness of medication list.
• Provides technical support for bar-code medication administration (BCMA) program and equipment as well as electronic health record (EHR) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE), if applicable.
• Provides collateral in-kind clinical pharmacy duties as assigned.

Outpatient Staffing Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews medications ordered by clinic providers, patient medication profiles, and patient Electronic Health Records to determine appropriateness, safety and completeness of medication order, authenticity of prescriber, possible drug interactions, potential for adverse reaction, and any other special aspects or considerations in dispensing medications per Santo Domingo Health Center Pharmacy’s outpatient medication dispensing policy.
• Consults with providers regarding discrepancies found within/between Computerized Physician Order Entry System (CPOE), ePrescribing (SureScripts) and Electronic Medical Record.
• Controls and maintains security of Schedule II drugs and all scheduled drugs within KPHC security protocols.
• Reviews the use of non-formulary and/or restricted items for appropriateness.  Coordinates P and T committee and formulary changes.
• Inspects and processes medications for integrity of dosage form; correct labeling, handling and storage instructions; and proper medication and quantity as labeled for each prescription before dispensing.
• Inspects and logs in bulk pre-packed medications before storage in compliance with KPHC policies.
• Conducts necessary patient education concerning the medication, its administration, signs of reaction, and additional relevant materials per standards concerning patient counseling. Counsels patients on course of treatment and indication for treatment as necessary.  When prompted by patients, will provide disease state education to further educate patients on management and treatment options.
• Performs monthly inspections of assigned drug storage areas.
• Ensures proper equipment treatment and maintenance.  Ensures equipment is properly setup and operated.  Maintains maintenance logs, stores all medications per policy and procures and inventory medication needs within budgetary constraints.
• Provides drug information to providers, nursing, family and other healthcare providers utilizing hardcopy, online and other drug reference materials as necessary and appropriate.
• Participates with physicians in determining course and preferred disease state management.
• Develops appropriate reports and documents medication errors to appropriate administrative levels and/or interventions.
• Obtains continuing education (CE) credits as required by KPHC license requirements and to maintain clinical competency.  Credentialing information is maintained and monitored for staff and follow KPHC policies.
• May be assigned to various clinical teams. Oversees all pharmacy technician activity.
• Assists with the training of new pharmacy staff including new clinic staff in training areas assigned.

• Performs other related duties pertaining to pharmacy operations as assigned by pharmacy administrative staff and or senior pharmacists.
• Is familiar with all Santo Domingo Health Center Pharmacy policies and procedures, federal prescribing and dispensing rules and regulations including DEA rules and regulations, and New Mexico state prescribing and dispensing rules and regulations as applies.
• Acts as technical support, to the best of their knowledge, for providers, pharmacists, nursing and additional Health Center staff for CPOE and/or EHR, if applicable.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

• At least ten years of experience in pharmacy or post graduate training (Masters, Pharm. D, or Pharmacy Residency).  At least five years of administrative experience and licensure as a pharmacist is required.  At least two years of supervisory experience in a hospital or clinic setting, preferred. 

Education

•   Professional degree in Pharmacy (B.S., Pharm.D, or D.Ph.) is required.

•   Current, unrestricted, and valid medical license from any U.S. State, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam, and the ability and willingness to obtain the State of New Mexico license within one (1) year if licensed in another state.  Board Certification/Eligibility is not necessary, but it is preferred.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, and Other Qualifications:

•   The incumbent shall be in the possession of a valid state pharmacy license and maintain licensure by completing necessary Board of Pharmacy requirements for the respective state of licensing.

•   Shall have working knowledge and skills to implement pharmacy POS procedures and systems. The incumbent must possess the knowledge and skills required to perform the responsibilities of this position as listed above.

•   Maintains BLS certification. ACLS and PALS optional.

•   Must have working knowledge of electronic health record systems.

•   Knowledge of policies and regulations on Tort Claims and Third Party Claims.

•   A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.

•   Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

•   Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•   Skills in operating Pharmacy commercial off the shelf (COTS) ScriptPro PMS /Pharmacy Point of Sale peripheral equipment as well as office automation equipment and software.

•   Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language, optional.

•   Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Limited overnight travel may be required from time to time.  This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues. 

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer:  The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Salary Range Starting at:  $134,292.00 to $201,437.00