Associate Director of Specialty Pharmacy

The Associate Director of Specialty Pharmacy focuses on project development, execution and completion for the department, develops process improvement initiatives and helps in managing the day to day operations to support the specialty service line. The core work will be to support the current and emerging strategic initiatives that the department is involved in. Additionally, he or she is responsible for guiding and supporting the day to day operations, as well as helping to develop future strategy and goals for the department.

This role ensures compliance with department policies and procedures, department mission and value statements, hospital core beliefs, as well as any federal or state regulations pertaining to or governing pharmacy practice.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Specialty Pharmacy Operations provides leadership and oversight of the specialty pharmacy services under the direction of the Director of Specialty Pharmacy.  He or she is responsible for overseeing specialty pharmacy services that include the development and management of all specialty clinical services and operations. In addition, the Associate Director has fiscal oversight of the specialty line and is expected to set and meet specific outcomes defined by the Department of Pharmacy. He or she, in collaboration with other key stakeholders, with provides guidance to staff to enhance patient satisfaction, improve patient quality of care, creates new services and empowers staff. In addition to managing specialty services, the Associate Director is expected to collaborate with other key stakeholders to meet the goals set forth by the Department of Pharmacy.

Position: Associate Director of Specialty Pharmacy        

Department: Specialty Pharmacy

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

The AD’s primary responsibilities to the hospital and the department of pharmacy include, but are not limited to:

• Compliance with all Federal, State and Local laws, regulations and rules; compliance with all accreditation standards and knowledge of and adherence to all policies and procedures of the organization and department. This includes the management of all specialty-related accreditations.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of a healthy work environment. A healthy work environment is one where people feel supported, held accountable, where standards are applied and expectations are clear. A healthy work environment is one where leadership supports and leads, models behavioral standards and sets the example for how to do all things right. Critical responsibilities related to this:
  • Being engaged in the department, including managing up, owning team decisions and communicating and supporting departmental and or organizational initiatives.
  • Hold self and others to the highest ethical standards, and act with honor above all.
  • Effective human resource management, including effectively disciplining people, recognizing people, developing and performing performance evaluations and guiding people in professional development
• Maintains a high level understanding of and leadership in general operations, including knowledge and operation of technologies, workflows, and drug distribution processes.
  • Cross collaborates with other pharmacy management to enhance dispensing operations.
  • Develops lean processes and establishes metrics to ensure efficient workflows.
• Coordinates and conducts where appropriate, formal training of pharmacists, pharmacy liaisons and any other personnel under specialty services.
• Manages projects including the creation of ideas, identification of key stakeholders, development and execution of the project, timely completion, and presentation to large groups and/or Vice President, Officer and Board-level stakeholders at the organization.
• Supports the department in managing the pharmacy budget, including creation of controls, cost savings initiatives, systems and programs to lower costs or improve revenue, all while maintaining the highest level of care.

• Assists with departmental budgeting, with a focus on the forecasting or identification of needs, and an assisting role in financial assessments of value.
  • Creates services to improve revenue.
  • Responsible for oversight of key performance metrics that include but are not limited to prescription capture, drives formulary while maintaining clinically efficacy, and engages with providers to secure strong drug access for patients
  • Works with external stakeholders to secure drug and payer access. Responsible for creating necessary paths to secure drug access from drug manufacturers. In addition, responsible for review of payer contract terms to ensure payer access meets the needs of the hospital.
  • Responsible for the management of productivity, including developing a knowledge of metrics, monitoring at defined interval performance and demonstrating an a ability to adjust to meet productive standards through flexing staff, oversight and adjustment of schedules, and proactive flexible position control (e.g. reducing core FTEs through attrition or layoffs, replacing full FTEs with part time and per diems, managing a per diem pool etc.)

• Conducts an on-going assessment of the program’s effectiveness and makes necessary recommendations to improve specialty services.
• Participates in departmental and organizational committees as assigned

• Develops and maintains partnerships across other departments in the organization by early engagement of other stakeholders in problem solving, negotiating and influencing buy-in from others prior to implementation, self-identifying and volunteering for interdepartmental projects, interdisciplinary teams, and generally representing the department outside of the department....
• Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Work requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited college of pharmacy. Advanced degree (e.g., Board certification, M.S., MBA, MPH) preferred. 
 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Work requires licensure to practice pharmacy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

EXPERIENCE:

• Work requires at least 7 years of advanced pharmacy management experience. (May consider less years of experience for candidates with an advanced degree with demonstrated proficiency in the areas of responsibility.  Residency experience may be included in years of experience at a ratio of 1:1).  
• Prior management experience required.
• Prior direct patient care experience preferred.
   

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Proven ability to translate a strategic plan into operational policy.
• Leadership ability to guide, direct, and mentor a multi-layered staff; ability to lead change, manage people, engage across departments and across the organization.
• Demonstrated track record of management of personnel and fiscal resources
• Capable of program development, implementation and evaluation
• Capable of long range program planning that involves complex decision making tasks.
• High degree of analytical ability in mathematics and scientific and management principals necessary to develop, review, and modify procedures and programs.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Must be exceptionally organized to manage multiple priorities and diverse activities, to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Dedicated team player with the willingness and desire to learn and grow within the organization
• Ability to anticipate objections and plan appropriate responses; ability to perform and lead effectively in stressful situations and to solve problems as they occur
• Professional in conduct and appearance
• Proficient with standard software used in healthcare office setting (i.e. MS Word, Excel, web browser, etc.). Experience with pharmacy systems (such as EPIC) is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans