University of Utah Health is looking for a new Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer to lead Pharmacy Operations!

The Pharmacy Operations Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer (ACPO) reports to the Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) and functions as the operations leader dedicated to providing support for other pharmacy leaders who manage medication use systems and delivery of optimal medication therapy.

This position is responsible for all pharmacy areas that directly provide medications to patients.

• Overseeing the management of pharmacy practice programs, medication use systems, and coordinate with quality initiatives to help detect, mitigate, and prevent medication adverse events and work to ensure medication use is aligned with evidence-based best practices and regulatory standards.
• Directs pharmacy department operations providing services to our patients through adoption of industry leading and transformative pharmacy best practices.
• Responsible for organization-wide pharmacy operations focused on excellence and will draw upon their demonstrated expertise to accurately assess pharmacy operating environments, appraise and prioritize challenges, and design operational plans to achieve efficient, high performing services encompassing personnel, service delivery optimization, automation and information technology applications, cost effective formulary & inventory optimization, population health initiatives (wellness, prevention, and disease management), safety and regulatory readiness.

The Pharmacy Operations ACPO must establish strong collaborative relationships with key medical, nursing, and executive leaders throughout the organization and external key stakeholders to achieve bold and innovative services that are in alignment with the organization's strategic plans. The Pharmacy Operations ACPO is continuously assessing healthcare and pharmacy environments and proactively developing short-term and long-term strategies to ensure that the pharmacy services department is well-positioned for current and future success.

This position serves as an advisor to the CPO along with the Shared Services ACPO to establish strategic plans, priorities, and objectives.

This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Qualified candidates must have completed:

• Pharmacy Degree from ACPE accredited program or foreign equivalency
• Minimum of ten years of experience in management, leadership, overseeing large and/or complex teams and/or projects

Preferred qualifications:

• Pharmacy residency
• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, MHA, etc)

Licenses required:

• Current Pharmacist license in the State of Utah.
• Current licensure to dispense controlled substances in the State of Utah.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, diversity, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

Job Specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

• Supports and oversees the organization’s pharmacy operations, direct patient care programs, medication utilization and case management systems within assigned services and care areas to assure drug utilization activities are aligned with patient care needs, evidence-based best practices, and regulatory standards.
• Designs and implements new pharmacy workflows, quality improvement changes to operations, and continuous quality assurance initiatives to advance the organization’s medication-use systems and promote optimal patient outcomes.
• Guides multiple pharmacy teams in mission, vision, and values, across several entities. Provides input into the department strategy and planning.
• Operationalizes the pharmacy strategy in alignment with the organization goals and strategy. Demonstrates forward thinking in developing strategy and goals.
• Responsible for accomplishing organizational and pharmacy goals for assigned teams. Plans and implements projects to improve performance and standardize processes across assigned teams, while measuring the impact of improvement.
• Demonstrates innovation and creativity in accomplishing responsibilities, as well as strong project management and team leadership skills.
• Clarifies and develops organizational and pharmacy policies and procedures in alignment with the organizational policies. Strives for standardization across entities as applicable, to improve clinical and operational efficiencies.
• Plans for improved operational performance of assigned areas.
• Develops succession plans for leadership positions within the department. Assists in the programmatic planning of department training programs. Mentor other leaders in the department and plans for leadership development.
• Networks and builds relationships within the organization and with outside similar organizations. Serves effectively on department committees and interdisciplinary committees as well as College of Pharmacy and Heath Sciences committees. Contributes to the profession through national leadership positions, presentations, and publications.

Talent Management

• Hiring, training, developing, and communicating with staff.

Financial Management

• Responsible for developing, monitoring and achieving budget goals.
• Manages labor and non-labor expenses to budget or flex budget.
• Manages revenue to budget to maximize potential margin.

EPE/Service

• Responsible for patient satisfaction scores within assigned area(s).
• Responsible for upholding PROMISE standards of direct reports and team members.
• Embraces the concept of change and leads staff through the change process as evidenced by adoption of new behaviors and/or processes.

Quality

• Manages and promotes continuous process improvements in assigned area(s).
• Ensures excellence in outcomes for all quality, safety, patient experience metrics and regulatory requirements.
• Leads and builds the capacity of the staff and interdisciplinary team(s) for excellence in all aspects of their performance and outcomes.
• Expert in change management, innovation and systems thinking and planning.

Performance Management

• Responsible for providing staff feedback on performance, including on-time appraisals and coaching.
• Responsible to deal with conflicts in a proactive manner and to reach resolution in a timely manner.

Building Relationships

• Forms positive relationships with staff, peers, and senior leadership to support the mission, vision, values, and performance standards of the organization.
• Actively engages staff with updates and news as well as involving staff in decisions and work teams. Provides feedback and recognition when appropriate.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.

• Ability to determine the appropriate staff mixes to support patient and organizational needs.

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role of pharmacy services across the department.

• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply the principles and practices of business, financial and human resources management.

• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Demonstrated leadership, human relations, and effective communication skills.

• Knowledge of the organization’s business operations and demonstrated strategic planning skills.

• Knowledge of budgeting practices, reporting analysis, and forecasting.

• Expert in change management, innovation and systems thinking and planning.

• Expertise in building high functioning teams and processes that lead to teamwork.

• Inspires and achieves outcomes in staff learning through formal/informal teaching methods.

Qualifications

Required

• Pharmacy Degree from ACPE accredited program or foreign equivalency
• Minimum of ten years of experience in management, leadership, overseeing large and/or complex teams and/or projects

Licenses Required

• Current Pharmacist license in the State of Utah.

• Current licensure to dispense controlled substances in the State of Utah.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Preferred

• Pharmacy residency
• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, MHA, etc)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environment.