Position Summary: The Pharmacy Director serves as the lead licensed pharmacy professional for PRHS, providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care to Tribal community members in a culturally respectful and patient-centered environment. As such, serves as the Department Head of the Pharmacy Department. Under the general direction of the CFO, and in close collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer, the Pharmacist is legally responsible for the management, control, and operation of the pharmacy.
The Pharmacist is responsible for the safe and effective dispensing of medications, clinical consultation, oversight of all pharmacy operations, controlled substance accountability, 340B program compliance, and implementation of pharmacy quality and safety systems. This position directly supervises one Pharmacy Technician and one Pharmacy Clerk, ensuring that pharmacy services are delivered in compliance with applicable Tribal, federal, and professional standards.
Specific Duties and responsibilities:
Pharmacy Operations & Dispensing
1. Receive, verify, and accurately dispense prescription medications in accordance with provider orders, PRHS policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
2. Review prescriptions for therapeutic appropriateness, potential drug interactions, contraindications, dosing accuracy, and patient allergies prior to dispensing.
3. Maintain the pharmacy drug formulary and coordinate with the medical team to ensure availability of clinically necessary medications. Chair the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, conducting regular meetings per professional standards.
4. Manage inventory, including ordering, receiving, storage, and proper disposal of pharmaceutical products in compliance with DEA and state regulations.
5. Conduct and document required controlled substance inventories (initial, biennial, perpetual counts), DEA Form 222 management, and discrepancy/diversion monitoring.
6. Ensure the pharmacy is maintained in a clean, organized, and compliant condition at all times.
7. Oversee operation and maintenance of pharmacy information systems and dispensing technology.
8. Ensure compliance with Federal requirements for labeling, documentation, storage, and technician supervision.
9. Develop, update, and enforce Pharmacy Department policies and procedures in alignment with PRHS, IHS, and regulatory standards.
10. Maintain pharmacy security systems, including key control, alarm systems, restricted access, and after-hours safeguards.
11. Monitor and document refrigerator/freezer temperatures, medication storage conditions, and emergency drug kit compliance.
12. Participate in emergency preparedness and disaster response planning to ensure continuity of pharmacy operations.
Clinical Services & Patient Care
1. Provide comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) consultations to patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and behavioral health disorders.
2. Conduct medication reconciliation reviews and collaborate with the care team to optimize patient drug regimens.
3. Counsel patients and caregivers regarding proper medication use, dosing schedules, potential side effects, and adherence strategies, with sensitivity to cultural background and health literacy levels.
4. Participate in clinical team meetings, case conferences, and quality improvement initiatives to support integrated, whole-person care.
5. Assist in identifying and resolving adverse drug events and medication errors and contribute to root cause analyses and corrective action plans.
6. Provide immunizations if certified; otherwise coordinate immunization services with qualified staff.
7. Lead pharmacy quality and safety activities, including medication error tracking, near-miss reporting, and implementation of system-level corrective actions.
Supervision & Staff Management
1. Directly supervise, schedule, train, and evaluate the Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Clerk, providing coaching and performance feedback on an ongoing basis.
2. Delegate appropriate pharmacy functions to supervise staff in accordance with applicable law and clinic policy, while maintaining pharmacist oversight of all dispensing activities.
3. Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment within the pharmacy department.
4. Participate in the hiring process for pharmacy support staff as needed.
5. Ensure all pharmacy staff maintain required competencies, certifications, and annual training.
Compliance, Documentation & Reporting
1. Ensure pharmacy operations comply with all applicable Tribal and federal regulations, and accreditation standards, including DEA controlled substance regulations.
2. Maintain accurate records of prescriptions, controlled substances, inventory, and patient interactions as required by law and clinic policy.
3. Prepare and submit required reports, including monthly Board reports, controlled substance logs and quality metrics, in a timely manner.
4. Complete and maintain continuing education requirements and all required licensure and certifications.
5. Serve as the primary point of contact for pharmacy-related audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
6. Ensure adherence to PRHS policies related to privacy, HIPAA, and medication security.
7. Oversee and ensure compliance with the 340B Drug Pricing Program, including eligibility, diversion prevention, duplicate discount avoidance, contract pharmacy oversight, and audit readiness.
8. Maintain and update pharmacy policies, including controlled substance management, quality assurance, and operational compliance.
Community & Cultural Engagement
1. Participate in community health outreach events, health fairs, and wellness programs serving Tribal members.
2. Demonstrate respect for Tribal sovereignty, culture, values, and traditions in all patient interactions and professional activities.
3. Support culturally appropriate health education initiatives related to medication safety, chronic disease management, and preventive care.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
5. Engage with Traditional Healers and Natural Helpers when appropriate to support culturally aligned medication education.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy; or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (B.S. Pharm.) from an accredited institution.
2. Current, active, and unrestricted Pharmacist license in a state of the United States.
3. Current DEA registration, or ability to obtain prior to start date.
4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; must be maintained throughout employment.
5. Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, preferably in an IHS or Tribal health environment (e.g., RPMS/EHR).
6. Strong knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacy law, drug interactions, and clinical therapeutics.
7. Physical Requirements: Must be able to distinguish basic colors, clearly see small, printed text, and clearly hear normal conversation. Ability to stand for extended periods, lift and carry pharmacy supplies up to 25 pounds, use computer and dispensing systems, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to counsel patients of varying health literacy levels.
9. Effective leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to mentor and guide support staff.
10. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinic environment.
11. Commitment to the mission of providing quality, accessible healthcare to the Tribal community.
12. Knowledge of or willingness to learn Tribal customs, traditions, and community health priorities.
13. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and Tribal privacy policies.
14. Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening in accordance with PRHS policy.
15. Tribal Preference in hiring will be applied in accordance with PRHS policy.
16. Indian Preference eligibility is a plus and must be documented at time of application, where applicable.
Pay: $195,748.00 - $305,705.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
