Employee Health Plan Pharmacist (System Pharmacy Coordinator)

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.
Job Summary
The Memorial Hermann Employee Health Plan Pharmacist is responsible for maintaining an ongoing review of prescribing habits, administration, and drug utilization amongst the employee group population. The pharmacist should be able to identify cost saving opportunities via trend analysis and develop methods for improving medication use in a safe and cost-effective manner.
Additionally, the pharmacist will be expected to conduct member, pharmacy, and physician interventions with a goal of resolving medication related issues through targeted discussions and/or comprehensive medication reconciliations.
The System Pharmacy Coordinator is responsible for assisting in standardizing system operations to ensure federal and state standards are consistent and hospital sites are compliant. Position assists in coordinating pharmacy services and activities and ensures that the pharmacy provides optimal operations and clinical services on a daily basis. The System Pharmacy Coordinator focuses on either operations coordination or clinical coordination.
The Operations Coordinator facilitates the development, implementation and maintenance of operational systems that will promote and support medication safety efforts throughout the system. The Clinical Coordinator facilitates the development, implementation, and maintenance of systems that promote desirable patient outcomes through the use of appropriate, safe, cost-effective drug therapies. In partnership with the Hospital Directors of Pharmacy and System Director of Pharmacy Operations, the Operations Coordinator will assist in optimizing pharmacy operations provided within the System to ensure regulatory compliance is maintained at all sites and the Clinical Coordinator will assist in coordinating the activities of the Hospital's clinical pharmacists.Job Description
Additional accountabilities include:

• Works collaboratively with the PBM to optimize patient outcomes while lowering drug expenditures.
• Able to address questions and concerns related to PBM, Employee group, and steerage.
• Focuses on retrospective DUR efforts and address population-based outcomes on drug use, identify comparable lower-costing alternatives and recommendations.
• Monitors trends for cost saving opportunities and explore routes of optimal use.
• Should be able to educate healthcare professionals on drug use and containment opportunities.
• Develops materials for provider presentations and/or accompany leadership for provider interactions on a regular basis and ad hoc.
• Reviews escalated medication requests for appropriateness through Appeals process.
• Works collaboratively with the PBM to optimize patient outcomes while lowering drug expenditures.
• Able to address questions and concerns related to PBM, Employee group, and steerage.
• Focuses on retrospective DUR efforts and address population-based outcomes on drug use, identify comparable lower-costing alternatives and recommendations.
• Monitors trends for cost saving opportunities and explore routes of optimal use.
• Should be able to educate healthcare professionals on drug use and containment opportunities.
• Develops materials for provider presentations and/or accompany leadership for provider interactions on a regular basis and ad hoc.
• Reviews escalated medication requests for appropriateness through Appeals process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: PGY1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency is highly preferred.

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree required.
• Completion of a Pharmacy residency or commensurate experience preferred.
• Masters of Science, Masters of Health Administration or Masters of Business Administration or commensurate experience desirable.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licensed as a Registered Pharmacist in the State of Texas.
• Board certification in pharmacotherapy or other specialty preferred for the System. Pharmacy Coordinator focusing on Clinical Coordination.

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Five (5) years in a clinical pharmacy required and three (3) years as Clinical Coordinator or other leadership position in clinical pharmacy developing and evaluating clinical pharmacy programs or operations experience ORcompletion of a PGY1/ PGY2 Health System Administration Pharmacy residency.
• Must work effectively as a team leader, have strong communication skills and have the ability to prioritize effectively and manage complex projects.
• Knowledgeable and compliant with all relevant laws, rules regulations and accreditation standards and requirement.
• Experience with analyzing and reporting data and demonstrates knowledge of intermediate to advanced level skill with MS Word, Excel, Power Point.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients according to established policies, procedures and protocols.
• Assist in coordinating the safe medication practice standards deployment for technology (e.g., mainframe computer system, smart IV pumps, etc.).
• Develops, implements, and directs the department's drug utilization and pharmacoeconomic strategy.
• Monitors utilization benchmark performance for the department and develops and implements improvement action plans in support of the organization's performance strategy.
• Develops and maintains indices for clinical competencies.
• Recommends, develops, implements, and evaluates policies and procedures and makes recommendations as appropriate.
• Ensures documentation of activities as appropriate for specific area of responsibility. Serves on interdisciplinary committees to provide leadership on medication use issues (e.g., System Patient Safety, Patient Care Leadership/CNO Forum, System Risk, etc.).
• Participates in precepting pharmacy residents and students.
• Participates in clinical research.

Clinical Coordination:

• Assists in directing all clinical pharmacy services provided within the System including clinical pharmacists, staff pharmacists and residents.
• Oversee and monitor the clinical pharmacy activities for the MHMH Clinical Programs Committee and Subcommittees.
• Assist in directing the clinical pharmacy activities for creation and maintenance of electronic Medical Power Plans for ordering.
• Serve as the Administrator of the Continuing Pharmacy Education Program for the System. Assists in the development of practice standards for clinical pharmacy services. Investigates opportunities for additional clinical pharmacy services and assists in implementation.

Operations Coordination:

• Provides support of the controlled substance diversion prevention efforts throughout the system, including the implementation and optimization of diversion software
• This position also serve as a point of contact for system projects, answering questions, troubleshooting problems, and solving any other issues related to operational challenges.
• Serve as the implementation lead for projects working with Directors and Managers regarding operations plans
• Serve as the Administrator for the Diversion Software for the System.
• Assist in the safe medication practice standards deployment for pharmacy automation and work with Pyxis Coordinators group.
• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann's service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and colleagues.
• Other duties as assigned.