Department Coordinator, Pharmacy

Brown Medicine•Cranston, RI

1d•$127,691 - $210,725•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Medication Use Policy, Quality, Safety, and Outcomes, the Department Coordinator, Pharmacy Services provides high-level organizational support and clinical leadership to Pharmacy Services across Brown University Health. Positions within this classification are each designated to one of four defined, distinct specialty areas: (1) Formulary Management; (2) Medication Use Policy and Regulatory Readiness; (3) Data Analytics, Impact, and Outcomes; or (4) Drug Diversion and Controlled Substance Compliance. Each incumbent serves in a single designated specialty area, as identified at the time of posting or appointment (e.g., Department Coordinator, Pharmacy Services – Drug Diversion and Controlled Substance Compliance). The duties and qualifications described in this job description reflect the full classification; the scope of work performed by any individual incumbent corresponds to their designated specialty area. The Coordinator develops and implements processes to manage, coordinate, maintain, track, and document key departmental functions related to medication safety, quality, regulatory readiness, analytics and clinical outcomes, medication policy and utilization, and controlled substance diversion prevention. Actively tracks and benchmarks the outcomes of pharmacy programs to ensure regulatory compliance, operational and clinical quality, and financial effectiveness. Standards monitored include, but are not limited to, The Joint Commission (TJC) regulatory readiness standards and National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) best practices, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requirements, and other applicable national regulatory, quality, and safety standards. Uses critical thinking skills to appropriately balance competing priorities and to manage time, information, and communications reliably and professionally. Maintains excellent working relationships with interdepartmental and intradepartmental leadership and staff. Precepts and/or participates in student, resident, and pharmacist training experiences and competencies. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy.
Prior to starting date, possesses current unrestricted licensure as a licensed pharmacist, or as a licensed 90-day temporary pharmacist, in the State of Rhode Island or, where applicable to the position location, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Obtains full licensure prior to expiration of the 90-day temporary pharmacist license, then possesses and maintains current unrestricted licensure as a licensed pharmacist in the applicable state.
Knowledge of area/specialty-specific technology, including but not limited to electronic health records, pharmacy information systems, automated dispensing technology, electronic drug diversion monitoring software, and other applicable software, equipment, and automation.
Must possess solid computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and common email and calendar tools, and be comfortable using web-based applications and multiple pharmacy and system-wide platforms.
Demonstrates familiarity with the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a healthcare or clinical operations setting, including an understanding of AI capabilities and limitations, data privacy considerations, and the importance of human oversight when applying AI-assisted workflows to pharmacy practice and administrative functions.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact appropriately with colleagues and others.
Effective organizational, analytical, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MS, MPH) and/or completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY2 residency in a relevant area of specialty (e.g., Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership, Medication-Use Safety and Policy, Ambulatory Care, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
Board certification in Pharmacotherapy or area of specialty (e.g., BCPS, BCACP) is preferred.
Five years or equivalent of progressively more responsible related experience, preferably gained in a similarly diverse and operationally complex healthcare environment, is desired.
Exceptional aptitude or demonstrated knowledge may be considered in lieu of experience.
Supervisory or project management experience is desired.
Extensive healthcare analytics and clinical experience are preferred.
For positions designated to the Drug Diversion and Controlled Substance Compliance specialty, prior experience in controlled substance diversion prevention, regulatory compliance, or opioid stewardship programs is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Is responsible for knowing and acting in accordance with the principles of the Brown University Health Corporate Compliance Program and Code of Conduct.
Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy residents and students.
Provides high-level organizational support to the pharmacy departments at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, and Brown University Health Pharmacy, LLC in following areas:
Coordinates all matters of drug policy, including but not limited to Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee work and related documentation.
Leads pharmacy department drug cost reduction programs and revenue enhancement programs; assists in determining return on investment for new clinical pharmacy programs.
Develops annual goals, opportunities, and strategies regarding drug utilization for the pharmacy department.
Utilizes data, including but not limited to the Vizient Clinical Database (CDB), to benchmark Brown University Health's utilization of medications in comparison to academic medical center cohorts, designated benchmarking groups, and group purchasing organization peers.
Uses benchmarking data to identify opportunities to reduce costs and clinical variation and to identify clinically appropriate therapeutic alternatives.
Actively reports to and engages with medical staff, administrative leadership, and multidisciplinary teams to gain support for implementation of identified utilization opportunities.
Leads and participates in multidisciplinary and pharmacy department teams; partners with a wide range of clinical and operational stakeholders to support resource utilization management and reduction of clinical variation.
Participates in management, action plan development, and review of data related to drug shortages to ensure the safety and effectiveness of identified therapeutic alternatives.
Responsible for healthcare utilization analytics encompassing drug, laboratory, and radiology use; participates in or leads multidisciplinary committees addressing practice variation.
Maintains professional competence through participation in pharmacy staff development and skills enhancement programs, including ongoing independent study and active membership and participation in professional organizations.
Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy residents and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students; completes required competency and evaluation documentation. Acts as preceptor for Brown University Health's PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) residency when applicable.
Develops and implements processes to manage, coordinate, communicate, maintain, track, and document key departmental regulatory requirements, including but not limited to TJC standards and National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), ISMP guidance, and applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations as they relate to medications and vaccines.
Stays abreast of additions and changes to regulatory requirements; responds proactively and in a timely manner to ensure a continual state of compliance; communicates changes broadly to staff; and facilitates staff education and training.
Oversees the timely maintenance of policies and procedures for the department, including those due for periodic review, incorporating edits, obtaining required signatures, and posting to the BUH policy management site in accordance with departmentally defined timeframes.
Communicates substantive new policy information and changes to existing policies and procedures widely across the department.
Coordinates with Corporate Compliance to ensure that new and revised policies and procedures are posted to the BUH policy management site within defined timeframes.
Designs, implements, and evaluates pharmacy staff education and training programs to ensure that learning experiences are contemporary, competency-based, and aligned with departmental goals, regulatory standards, and evolving pharmacy practice.
Participates in the education and training of pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, medical student, and resident learners as needed.
Works with pharmacy and operational leadership to develop performance measures for staff and institute ongoing professional development opportunities, including internal certification programs, career ladders, and cross-training initiatives.
Coordinates activities related to the identification, development, and tracking of outcome metrics related to pharmacy clinical services and other national and system-wide medication-related safety, quality, and effectiveness measures.
Develops and supports the pharmacy department vision for the measurement of the impact of pharmacists, pharmacy services, and external factors on patient care outcomes.
Establishes and participates in optimizing the structure and governance of data management, metrics, and outcomes measurement and reporting.
Identifies key pharmacy accountability measures (PAMs) and health care system quality priorities on which pharmacy has measurable impact.
Develops reporting, creates proactive strategies, and communicates the performance of targeted initiatives to appropriate staff and leadership.
Drives a data-driven culture of continuous quality improvement in pharmacy operations and clinical services.
Works with system-wide stakeholders to align pharmacy analytics and outcomes initiatives with the overall organizational mission and vision.
Research and Scholarship: Leads and supports pharmacy department research and scholarly activities in alignment with departmental and organizational goals. Identifies, develops, and pursues opportunities for original research, quality improvement initiatives, and evidence-based practice projects. Disseminates findings through peer-reviewed publications, poster and podium presentations at regional and national professional meetings, and collaborative partnerships with academic institutions and industry stakeholders. Mentors pharmacy residents, students, and staff in the development of research methodology, data analysis, and scholarly writing skills.
Serves as a pharmacy subject matter expert (SME) for controlled substance diversion prevention and regulatory compliance across Brown University Health locations and affiliated prescribers.
Advises on pharmacy-related opioid stewardship activities, including safe prescribing practices and diversion monitoring and prevention technology.
Leads the Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention Program (CSDPP) Team and coordinates activities across Brown University Health affiliates.
Develops procedures and workflows related to controlled substances management and diversion prevention.
Ensures compliance with HIPAA and applicable state and federal regulations during audits, investigations, and documentation activities.
Communicates findings of aberrant prescribing, dispensing, inventory, or usage patterns to appropriate clinical, operational, compliance, and administrative leadership; supports follow-up and corrective action as indicated.
Assists with audits of automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) transactions and other controlled substance distribution records; supports timely reporting and documentation in accordance with Brown University Health policy and applicable regulatory requirements.
Utilizes electronic drug diversion monitoring software to audit and monitor controlled substance prescribing, dispensing, and administration data; identifies outliers and suspicious activity patterns across electronic health record systems and other applicable data sources.
Conducts routine program assessments and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and non-punitive reporting.
Supports accreditation surveys, audits, and regulatory inspections.
Develops and delivers education to clinical staff on controlled substance handling requirements, detection, reporting, and prevention of diversion.
Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop diversion-related metrics, monitor trends, and sustain a proactive and compliant diversion prevention program aligned with DEA, TJC, and applicable state regulatory standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.