Region Manager Pharmacist-Procurement - CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. With more than 700 care sites across the U.S. from clinics and hospitals to home-based care and virtual care services CommonSpirit is accessible to nearly one out of every four U.S. residents. Our world needs compassion like never before. Our communities need caring and our families need protection. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community.

• This job is responsible for planning, managing and evaluating the information services component of the regional purchasing programs, employees, and financial monitoring.  This role is expected to apply principles of leadership, human relations and continuous quality improvement in the overall management, coordination, supervision, development and refinement of these department components. Accountable for alignment and optimization of inventory practices and controls, contract compliance, centralized distribution and management of regional drug shortages.
• As the Region-level leader for all medication procurement, the Region director is accountable for implementation and oversight of the Region's annual medication spend. This role is responsible for cost-effective medication procurement and pharmacy sourcing, contracting and optimizing medication delivery for their Region within CommonSpirit Health. The role will lead, develop key strategies, and be the Region pharmacy contact for the GPO (group purchasing organization) and Region leadership contact for pharmacy wholesalers and distributors. This position will oversee their pharmacy contracting and medication distribution and purchasing for their Region. This position can directly supervise Clinical leaders in their Region and Purchasing labor. 
• Work also includes: 1) Serving as a voice and possible representative to any buying group activities and to other national groups; 2) approving the use of specific high-cost medications for both inpatient/outpatient administration; 3) developing therapeutic initiatives that result in decreased costs within a therapeutic class and advocating with the Buying Group to obtain consensus and promote enhanced contracts and cost savings; 4) leading management of drug shortages and mitigation strategies and 5) supervising subordinate staff engaged in purchasing and systems development/administration.
• Work requires knowledge of current pharmaceutical technology, the sources and availability of pharmaceutical products and current standards/practices relating to the procurement, distribution and inventorying of pharmacy medications, supplies and equipment.  Also requires knowledge of the concepts, professional standards and methodologies applicable to the pharmaceutical care, and of applicable regulatory requirements sufficient to facilitate judgment and critical thinking in resolving complex issues.  

Region Manager Pharmacist-Procurement

**Majorty Remote Role**

Budget Administration:

• Identifies resources needed to accomplish the performance objectives of the assigned clinical area/facility and participates in the development of the annual operating/capital budget for the overall clinical function; exercises effective cost control by monitoring and adjusting expenses as needed to stay within budget; approves expenditures within defined scope of responsibility; identifies negative variances and develops action plans to document, address and effectively resolve in a timely manner; produces complete and accurate financial, budget, activity and productivity information, including variance reports, financial projections and other statistical reports; keeps Director apprised of all issues with potential for budgetary impact.

Performance/Quality Improvement:

• Works with regional pharmacy services management team to ensure the application of consistent practices relating to internal operations, patient care, quality of human resources activities and FHS standards; assesses the strengths/weaknesses of the assigned clinical area to identify opportunities to provide recommendations to Region VP, Region Director, Pharmacy Operations Services, and Region Director, Pharmacy Clinical Services for new quality/performance improvement initiatives; implements new processes and ensures that performance improvement activities are conducted in a timely and effective manner; ensures that staff receive the necessary on-site training and consultation to enhance their understanding of quality/performance improvement initiatives.

Procedures Development/Implementation:

• Serves on teams engaged in the development and updating of policies, procedures, workflows, tools and action plans; recommends, implements and evaluates new/revised standards, policies, procedures, guidelines, training materials and/or general communications in support of assigned functional area to ensure consistency with the philosophy/values of the organization and compliance with applicable regulatory/accreditation requirements; ensures that all functional activities are fully documented in accordance with the standards and practices of the organization; ensures that employees understand and apply internal guidelines appropriately.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Interprets and ensures compliance with applicable internal/external legal and regulatory agreements, standards and requirements; keeps abreast of changing regulatory requirements/regulations, professional standards and competitive industry practices impacting assigned functions, as well as organizational initiatives/changes with potential to impact current operations; monitors impact on existing activities and identifies/implements effective response/solution while maintaining acceptable service levels and work quality.

Short- and Long-Term Planning:

• Participates, as a key member of the management team for the assigned clinical function, in the development of strategies, initiatives and programs addressing matters such as:  provision of new services, standardization of procedures across the organization, increasing market share, maximizing resources, cross-selling services, improving cost-effectiveness of clinical services provided, enhancing patient outcomes/satisfaction and other issues of similar complexity and consequence.

Other Essential Functions:

• Regional oversight of all purchases to assure they have been purchased on the correct account, correct drug account and aligns with formulary compliance.
• Manages drug shortages across the Region and works with local and national resources to procure alternative solutions, proactively scan for impending drug shortages, and develop communications to support and mitigate drug shortages.
• Approves, in conjunction with Pharmacy staff and ordering practitioners, the use of specific high-cost medications for both inpatient/outpatient administration.
• Analyzes requests for high-cost orphan drugs/rarely used drugs, helping to decide (in conjunction with other interested parties) where they should be infused and whether costs will meet reimbursement standards; discusses recommendations and budget ramifications with senior management (e.g. Director, Controller, CFO).
• Develops therapeutic initiatives that result in decreased costs within a therapeutic class; once implemented, brings the ideas to the Buying Group and CSH to obtain consensus and promote enhanced contracts and cost savings.
• Serves as liaison to the regional business office on issues relating to pharmacy (e.g. use of appropriate billing codes, internal auditing, negotiation with insurers for appropriate reimbursement).

Bachelors degree or higher in Pharmacy

• Minimum of four years of recent pharmacy work experience
• 1+ years leadership experience
• Demonstrated change management, standardization and leadership development skills
• Demonstrated ability to create enthusiasm for new programs and different approaches to existing programs
• Demonstrated quality improvement competencies
• Demonstrated understanding of utilization and productivity in a variety of clinical setting