Infusion Services Manager (Pharmacist)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Infusion Services Manager Duties
  • Oversees the daily operations of the Infusion Services area and Infusion Services (unit dose, controlled substances, IV admixtures, clinical services, investigational drug services, infusion pumps, purchasing and billing).
  • Oversees preparation and processing of chemotherapeutic medications and other orders for primary and satellite facilities while ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Plans, coordinates and oversees the activities of Infusion Services staff. Trains new staff on use of the Willow module in EPIC and QS1 and ensures staff is retrained when upgrades or new releases occur.
  • Opens and closes the Infusion Services area and is responsible for activating and deactivating the Infusion Services alarm system.
  • Works with Director of Infusion/Pharmacy Services to develop Infusion Services policies and procedures to enhance work flow and accuracy of Infusion Services procedures.
  • Oversees utilization of Infusion Services supplies, including inventory, disbursements, and ordering for the Infusion Services area. Orders, receives, restocks and maintains appropriate inventory for medications, infusion supplies and narcotics. Reviews invoices for accuracy and submits for payment.
  • Ensures adequate supply of emergency medications is available.
  • Generates and/or maintains appropriate records related to medication distribution and dispensing, including required patient records and other order records.
  • Ensures Infusion Services compliance with all federal and state regulations.
  • Identifies training needs of staff and assures staff receive regular inservice training as part of continuing education requirements.
  • Works with Director of Infusion/Pharmacy Services and Human Resources to select, train, and evaluate competency of staff.
  • Oversees quality control procedures for the Infusion Services area.
  • Ensures all Infusion Services equipment maintenance, as required and/or as needed, is performed in order to assure maximum efficiency, safety and accuracy in performance.
  • Coordinates disposal of biohazardous waste from the facility.
  • Serves as a liaison between Infusion Services staff, physicians, infusion/pharmaceutical representatives, and management.
  • Serves as a resource person for physicians, staff and patients/families regarding drug information and other Infusion Services issues and questions.
  • Represents the Infusion Services area and participates in special meetings as needed.
  • Coordinates Infusion Services staffing schedules, including daily coverage and requests for time off, and confers with the Director of Infusion/Pharmacy Services as necessary.
  • Serves as a primary safety consultant in the event of a chemotherapeutic or other hazardous drug spill or exposure incident, and coordinates with the Safety Coordinator to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, including maintenance of facility MSDS notebooks, development of a written hazardous drug program, and implementation of emergency response procedures.
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable safety and health regulations, policies and procedures. Complies with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposures to chemotherapeutic agents, blood and body fluids, other potentially infections materials, chemical disinfectants, and other hazardous substances.
  • Maintains a safe and efficient working environment in the Infusion Services area by maintaining a clean work area and following all regulations in accordance with regulatory agencies and Infusion Services policies.
  • Performs Infusion Services Technician duties as needed.
• Professional Communication
  • Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to all aspects of employment, including patient/family/significant other confidentiality.
  • Interacts with patients/family/significant others with a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds in an appropriate manner.
  • Provides information to patients and family/significant others that reduces anxiety and conveys an attitude of acceptance, sensitivity and caring.
  • Maintains professional relationships and conveys relevant information to other members of the health care team.
    • Internal Contacts: Physicians, nursing staff, office staff, other Infusion Services staff, billing representatives, etc., and staff at other CCSI facilities.
    • External Contacts: Pharmacies, hospitals, distributors, manufacturers, infusion/pharmaceutical representatives, other provider offices, etc.
  • Relays information appropriately over telephones, facsimiles, pagers, and other communication devices, and follows-through as needed.
  • Communicates appropriate information to physicians, supervisors, and/or other members of the healthcare team as needed, and follows-through on physician orders and requests.
• Teamwork
  • Is a liaison to the EPIC vendor, reporting issues, testing fixes, and testing and training staff on updates.
  • Encourages teamwork and works collaboratively as a health care team member.
  • Provides infusion information as needed to those who require information, including physicians, nursing staff, radiation staff, and other Infusion Services staff.
  • Assists with tasks necessary for the efficient and effective operation and organization of the Infusion Services area.
  • Maintains positive attitude with patients, family/significant others and coworkers.
• Professional Development
  • Attends staff meetings and mandatory inservices.
  • Participates in continuing education opportunities and maintains any required licensure.
  • Contributes to the quality of patient care and participates in quality improvement initiatives.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Science degree or Doctor of Pharmacy from accredited School of Pharmacy. Current licensure with the State of Illinois as a Registered Pharmacist. Must take EPIC training and successfully pass required tests.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: Two to three years infusion related experience. Prefer experience in a combined hospital/retail setting and/or experience in a physician practice or ambulatory setting. Prefer oncology pharmacy experience.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: Knowledge of basic infusion/pharmacy medication order systems, infusion procedures and equipment, metric system, drug and medical nomenclature. Knowledge of most common drugs, oncology drugs, and their uses and usual doses. Knowledge and skills to prepare and dispense drugs and medications. Knowledge of safety precautions and procedures related to exposure to chemotherapy and hazardous substances, blood and other potentially infectious materials. Verbal and written English communication skills for safe and effective patient care and to meet documentation standards. Eye, hand, and auditory coordination. Ability to operate office equipment, including telephones, PCs, copiers, facsimiles, etc. Ability to perform drug calculations, use infusion/pharmaceutical compounding equipment for compounding sterile and non-sterile products, interpret physician orders, maintain records and responsibility for controlled substances, maintain inventory of drugs and supplies. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work meeting time constraints. Ability to judge the appropriate action in response to changes, circumstances or problems. Ability to coordinate the work of others; work under pressure with time constraints, meet deadlines and work with frequent interruptions. Ability to maintain professional attitude at all times, function in a sometimes demanding and fast-paced work environment related to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes and those who are dying. Ability to recognize obvious errors in the preparation or dispensing of infusion related pharmaceuticals and investigate for probable cause. Understands errors in processing, preparation or dispensing of infusion related pharmaceuticals may delay treatment of patients and/or cause adverse effects, including death. Understands and practices patient confidentiality. A positive attitude towards health care team members and diverse patient populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB: Standing, walking, sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, twisting, reaching, handling, kneeling, and wrist and digital dexterity. Ability to receive and interpret instructions; communicate with patients and other health care professionals; and operate infusion/pharmacy and general office equipment.

Manual dexterity to prepare and dispense drugs and medications. Concentrated mental/visual acuity, corrected vision to work with detail material, and ability to recognize clear liquids, turbid solutions, and chemical reactions. Frequent, prolonged periods of sitting or standing in order to prepare drugs and medications. Frequent bending and reaching. Physical stamina required to endure long periods of preparing drugs and medications. Exerting force (frequently up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 20 pounds or more) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including infusion related supplies, etc. Able to move quickly from place to place on occasion.

MENTAL DEMANDS: Must be able to work under stress and adapt to changing conditions. Must be able to respond to emergency situations in a calm, professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:Infusion Services environment. Frequent work interruptions. Job duties involve frequent potential for exposure to chemotherapy and other hazardous substances, chemical disinfectants, etc., and limited exposure to blood and body fluids. Special protective equipment must be used for required preparations of hazardous substances and spill cleanup.