Director of Pharmacy - Congress - Pharmacy Management

El Rio Community Health Center•Tucson, AZ

124d•$137,524 - $226,779

About The Position

The Director of Pharmacy provides administrative, strategic, and operational oversight for the Pharmacy and Advanced Practice Pharmacy departments and associated programs. The Director leads planning, monitoring, and assessment of operations and services to support high-quality patient care, legal and accreditation compliance, operational efficiency, and organizational goals. The role requires evidence-based decisions, deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical supply chain, clinical therapeutics, prescribing patterns, medication-use processes and policies, test-ordering practices, and technology supporting care. The Director also oversees formulary-related efforts to maximize patient benefit while controlling expenses and pursues technology and AI opportunities to improve efficiency and resource stewardship across the health network. Working with general direction, the Director exercises independent judgment on significant pharmacy operations and pharmaceutical patient-care matters, including resolving problems involving departures from standard policies or procedures within the role’s authority and applicable Arizona State Board of Pharmacy and El Rio Health requirements. As a licensed pharmacist, the Director fulfills the essential functions and responsibilities of a pharmacist. The Director leads cross-functional teams, manages departmental leaders and staff, develops and administers budgets, oversees regulatory and quality compliance, and directs short- and long-term strategic planning. The role collaborates with Executive Leadership and clinical, administrative, and support teams; serves as a liaison to government agencies and other entities; and represents pharmacy programs in community and public settings. Employees in this position must have reliable transportation for potential operational reassignments during the workday. A valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle-insurance requirements are required when driving during work hours.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Ten years of management experience; pharmacy-environment experience is preferred.
Five years of experience working in a pharmacy as a pharmacist.
Current Pharmacist License in accordance with Arizona State Board of Pharmacy requirements.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers.
Current, valid Level I fingerprint clearance card in good standing, or application submitted within seven working days after beginning employment; the posting also states that the card or fingerprint receipt must be submitted before the hire date or transfer date and that the Level One Non-IVP card must be received within 30 days after the hire or transfer date.
Reliable transportation capable of meeting operational reassignments during the workday.
Valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle-insurance requirements when driving during work hours.
Employees must undergo pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.
Employees are strongly recommended to obtain and maintain vaccination status, including influenza vaccination, subject to applicable exemptions and accommodations.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy.
ASHP-accredited Postgraduate Year Two (PGY2) in Health-System Pharmacy Administration.
Bilingual English/Spanish ability to speak, read, and write in both languages.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if directly related to the job’s functions and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Develop and direct quality standards for Pharmacy and Advanced Practice Pharmacy functions, services, and associated programs.
Oversee departmental goals, objectives, priorities, budgets, outcomes, and service levels.
Integrate continuous quality improvement into pharmacy operations through measurement, monitoring, and assessment of processes and outcomes.
Protect patient confidentiality and ensure compliance with HIPAA, corporate compliance, and confidentiality standards.
Direct planning, coordination, and operation of pharmacy locations, services, activities, and associated programs.
Facilitate administrative collaboration among medical, behavioral health, outreach, support, and administrative services.
Ensure compliance with 340B Drug Pricing Program requirements and third-party funding standards.
Ensure compliance with federal and state pharmacy laws, controlled-substance requirements, Arizona State Board of Pharmacy regulations, and accrediting-agency requirements.
Communicate new formulary information and medication-use and safety policies and standards to staff.
Develop and implement plans to improve clinical and operational performance.
Prepare professional communications, financial statements, reports, and analytical or statistical summaries for leadership, governing boards, clients, agencies, and other stakeholders.
Oversee department leaders, staff, performance, recruitment, orientation, training, evaluations, discipline, conflict resolution, and employment or retention decisions.
Ensure staff maintain required licenses, certifications, continuing education, and recertification; develop competency-assessment programs for pharmacy staff.
Serve as liaison and principal contact for government agencies and legal entities concerning pharmacy and clinical pharmacy operations.
Participate in proposals for new or continuing pharmacy and clinical operations and programs; represent programs in community engagements and deliver or facilitate informational workshops and campaigns.
Manage budgets, resource allocation, expenses, revenue, and funding expenditures; develop, prepare, and reconcile annual budgets and implement cost-reduction strategies when needed.
Oversee purchasing and inventory programs, utilization reporting, pricing, and contract pricing.
Consult with Executive Leadership to identify funding sources that support services and strategic goals.
Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and processes that promote safe, efficient, cost-effective medication use and comply with regulatory requirements.
Lead short- and long-term strategic planning for the Pharmacy and Advanced Practice Pharmacy departments.
Oversee clinical and operational metric dashboards aligned with value-based contracts, community healthcare needs, and operational excellence.
Collaborate with stakeholders to improve patient access, appointment scheduling, online scheduling adoption, and no-show rates through predictive analytics and targeted interventions.
Lead revenue-cycle and efficiency initiatives, including provider schedule optimization, reducing appointment-status errors, and improving copay collection.
Complete training and performance activities required to maintain pharmacist licensure under Arizona rules and regulations.
Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment and demonstrate proficiency with Joint Commission Certification compliance and reporting requirements.
Support departmental culture aligned with El Rio’s cultural beliefs and serve as a change agent as the organization advances population health management.
Represent El Rio Health professionally in community events and local, state, and national healthcare activities.
Use supplies, materials, and equipment cost-effectively and limit waste.
Accurately document hours worked and obtain timely sign-off or approval in accordance with policy.
Maintain proficiency with El Rio Health operating systems and software, adapting to updates and learning new skills as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.