Manager Pharmacy - Acute

Fairview Health Services•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Manager Pharmacy – Acute manages pharmacy and medication-use functions and supervises daily operations of the inpatient pharmacy department. The role oversees decentralized pharmacy services, human resources, technology, resource utilization, customer service, and patient medication safety. Primary accountabilities are shared with another operations manager and two supervisors and include inpatient and central pharmacy operations, medication distribution and staffing, workflow and process improvement, technician management and development, compliance monitoring, medication-error follow-up, emergency preparedness, and coordination with nursing services and pharmacy leadership. The manager ensures high-quality pharmacy and medication-management services, safe and timely medication delivery, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The role manages patient-care services and medication-use processes; supports implementation of technology; oversees department finances, staffing, and drug expenditures; and develops staff through coaching, recruitment, training, feedback, and performance management. The position also participates in designated system and service-line work groups and operational meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.
3–5 years of progressive leadership experience.
1–3 years of hospital pharmacy or equivalent experience.
Licensed or eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in Minnesota.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency program.
Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Master’s degree in Pharmacy Administration and Leadership or an equivalent degree such as an MBA, MHA, or MPH.
Previous management experience.
Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy.

Responsibilities

Manage pharmacy services and inpatient pharmacy operations, including decentralized services and medication distribution.
Oversee central staffing and strategic workflow improvement.
Continuously improve processes to meet customer needs and business goals, using customer feedback, process-improvement methods, systems thinking, and best-practice information.
Manage patient-care services, medication-use guidelines, order sets, and other assigned areas.
Ensure pharmacy processes and systems support excellent patient care and timely, accurate medication services.
Develop and maintain programs that improve pharmacists’ and pharmacist extenders’ patient-care skills; participate in educating physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
Manage the safe and effective implementation and application of new technologies, including electronic health records, pharmacy dosing programs, automation, rules, alerts, order sets, and investigational drug technologies.
Manage departmental finances and resources, including staffing levels and drug expenditures; monitor financial performance and pursue revenue and cost-saving opportunities within budget parameters.
Ensure medication-safety programs are in place; identify and correct safety issues, reduce medication errors, and conduct root-cause analyses for medication occurrences.
Ensure the pharmacy department and medication-use process meet regulatory requirements, including State Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health, and Joint Commission requirements.
Coach and mentor pharmacy staff; support recruitment, retention, orientation, training, and professional development; provide timely feedback and performance reviews; and hold staff accountable for their practice.
Ensure relevant policies and procedures are followed and take action to enhance employee satisfaction.
Manage daily technician work and resolve issues; lead huddles and provide KPI updates; recruit, hire, and onboard technicians.
Oversee kits and crash-cart tray processes and replenishment, delegating to the technician supervisor role as appropriate.
Monitor Epic Dispense Prep and CNR compliance as a backup, follow up on Simplifi 797 compliance, and manage shortage plans for on-site compounding.
Triage and follow up on pharmacy-related medication errors and delays; review Compass reports related to pediatric/NICU medications, non-sterile compounding, and hazardous medications.
Serve as liaison to nursing services and leadership for pediatrics, NICU, PICU, and pediatric emergency services.
Develop pharmacy technician roles and non-sterile compounding competencies; participate in emergency preparedness and management.
Participate in assigned pharmacy operations and system committees, work groups, and meetings, including scheduling committees, system strategy and operations, sterile preparation, oncology, pediatric chemotherapy, RAC, and Silver Team meetings.