Pharmacist II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

1d•$8,488 - $11,422•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacist II performs highly advanced, independent pharmaceutical management work for the DSHS Pharmacy Branch. The position serves as Pharmacist-In-Charge for the DSHS Central Pharmacy Class A pharmacy and as a staff and consulting pharmacist for DSHS Public Health Region Class D pharmacies. It supervises and trains clinical and pharmacy support personnel, provides guidance to local health departments, and helps ensure pharmacy operations comply with federal and Texas laws and regulations. The role coordinates drug repackaging and relabeling, including infectious disease medications, and oversees production controls, documentation, quality assurance, and Good Manufacturing Practices. It provides medication and vaccine information, consultation on procurement, inventory, storage, distribution, and drug therapy, and contributes to pharmacy policies, formularies, training, and process improvements. The pharmacist also provides agency leadership and expert consultation on healthcare policy, pharmaceutical purchasing and pricing, 340B, strategic planning, preparedness, and legislative matters. The position works under the general direction of the Unit Director with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and participates in DSHS disaster response and recovery activities. This is a full-time, regular position based in Austin, Texas. It is not eligible for telework and may require travel up to 30%.

Requirements

Current valid pharmacist license with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
Current Texas Driver’s License.
Bachelor of Science or PharmD degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy.
Knowledge of medical pharmacology, medical terminology, and drug nomenclature.
Knowledge of state and federal pharmacy and public health laws and licensure regulations.
Knowledge of community, institutional, and good manufacturing practices for drugs, and regulations related to repackaging, relabeling, procurement, storage, and provision of drugs.
Knowledge of the 340B program and policy planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Skill in operating pharmaceutical equipment and pharmaceutical order-processing and inventory systems.
Skill in using Microsoft Office applications and database management systems.
Skill in problem identification, evaluating alternatives, implementing solutions, communication, public speaking, collaboration, training, supervision, and workgroup leadership.
Ability to prepare drug repackaging, relabeling, and distribution with little or no supervision; initiate, develop, and administer programs; organize and evaluate drug therapies; supervise people and tasks; and make decisions and delegate authority.
Ability to manage competing priorities; maintain pharmaceutical records; plan, assign, and coordinate work; coordinate and analyze programs; recommend improvements; develop policies and procedures; and conduct investigations.
Ability to produce written reports and oral presentations and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the public, professional associations, boards, and government entities.
Ability to think and plan strategically.
Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds; work with moving objects and equipment, cleaning supplies, abrasives and solvents, biological agents, and biomedical waste.
Ability to perform repeated bending, grasping, standing, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching above the shoulder, sitting, walking, and upper-body twisting.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Applicants invited to interview must complete a skills test/in-basket exercise.

Nice To Haves

Five years of pharmacist experience is preferred.
Experience with Texas Class A and Class D pharmacy rules and regulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the Drug Repackaging Program, including repackaging and relabeling medications in compliance with FDA regulations, Texas State Board of Pharmacy rules, and applicable laws.
Operate repackaging equipment and electronic ordering, inventory, barcode-scanning, and related systems; prepare medication orders for shipment to clinics and other public health outlets.
Oversee repackaging production controls, equipment, documentation, quality assurance, and Good Manufacturing Practices; serve on the Compliance Committee and Quality Control Unit.
Train repackaging staff and conduct on-the-job and GMP training, verifying that required competencies are achieved.
Serve as Pharmacist-In-Charge for the DSHS Central Pharmacy Class A and as staff pharmacist for DSHS Health Service Region Class D pharmacies.
Supervise nurses, physician assistants, technicians, and assistants in pharmacy-related medication activities; conduct statewide site visits and review clinic compliance with policies and procedures.
Provide in-service training and assist with developing and periodically reviewing clinic drug formularies, pharmacy policies, and procedure manuals.
Communicate with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and assist with resolving pharmacy compliance deficiencies.
Consult with DSHS regional clinics, local health departments, physicians’ offices, and program staff on drug distribution, disposition, security, storage, licensing, inspections, and regulatory requirements.
Advise programs that purchase drugs and vaccines; help establish inventory levels and requisitioning requirements for medical supplies.
Provide statewide drug information and guidance on medication and vaccine storage, dosage calculations, drug interactions, disposal, safe handling, and use of medications and biological products.
Help oversee receipt and integrity of refrigerated shipments and develop guidance for storage, packing, and shipping of drugs and vaccines.
Identify and coordinate business process improvements; assist with hiring selections and serve in an acting role when the Operations Unit Manager is absent.
Provide high-level consultation and leadership on healthcare policy, healthcare system redesign, 340B, pharmaceutical purchasing and pricing, pharmacy licensure, strategic planning, preparedness, and legislative issues.
Lead or participate in workgroups and special projects; prepare written reports and oral presentations and represent DSHS at meetings and hearings.
Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities, which may involve an alternate shift pattern or location.
Attend work regularly and predictably and perform other duties as assigned.