Director, Specialty Pharmacy Operations

This role is primarily ON-SITE at Reading Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania, supporting the dually accredited specialty pharmacy program for Tower Health. Cencora has been a strategic partner of Reading Hospital for over six years, providing staffing & management support for the retail and specialty pharmacy dedicated to serving patients and employees of the health system.

***Sign-on Bonus & Relocation assistance eligible***

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Program Development and Implementation: Oversee strategic plans and initiatives to establish and grow specialty pharmacy programs, including formation of operational workflows and development of and adherence to program policies and procedures. Assess market trends, identify target patient populations, and collaborate with key stakeholders. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and optimize program efficiency. 

Financial Management: Collaborate with finance and reimbursement teams to optimize revenue generation, manage reimbursement challenges, and identify cost-saving opportunities. 

Team Leadership: Provide leadership and guidance to a team of specialty pharmacy staff, including pharmacists, technicians, and administrative personnel. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promote professional development, and resolve any personnel-related issues. 

Quality Improvement: Develop, implement and oversee quality improvement program and clinical committee to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality specialty pharmacy services. This includes oversight of clinical decision-making aspects of the specialty pharmacy program and providing clinical guidance, monitoring medication adherence, tracking patient outcomes, and conducting performance evaluations of the program. 

Performance Metrics and Reporting: Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and financial performance. Generate regular reports to communicate program outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and support data-driven decision-making. 

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for program enhancement and innovation by staying informed about industry advancements, emerging therapies, and best practices. Proactively seek feedback from stakeholders and implement process improvements to optimize patient care and outcomes. 

Personnel Management: Complete regular performance evaluations for employees. Provide timely and appropriate feedback on job performance. Provide oversight and ensure compliance with HR policies. Manages associate relations functions such as hiring, terminating and performance management. Review daily reporting and scheduling of hours worked to include sick time, vacation time, personal and holiday time. 

Data Analysis: Oversee data reporting and analysis. Partner with business analyst to ensure adherence to manufacturer requirements, limited distribution drug requirements and accreditation standards.  

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, medication contracts and accreditation standards governing specialty pharmacy operations. This may also include limited distribution drugs or REMs products. Stay updated on industry changes and proactively address compliance issues, including data privacy and security measures. 

Education and Training: Provide education and training to healthcare providers and internal staff regarding specialty pharmacy services. Collaborate with the clinical team to develop educational materials and resources. 

Customer Service: Ensure exceptional customer service is provided to patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. Address inquiries, resolve complaints, and ensure timely and accurate communication. 

Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, such as developing robust medication safety protocols, collaborating with pharmacy managers to navigate drug recalls, and implementing adverse event reporting procedures. 

Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong relationships with healthcare providers, payers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other stakeholders to ensure effective program collaboration and execution. This involves regular communication, presenting program updates, and addressing any concerns or issues. 

Vendor Management: Collaborate with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and technology vendors to ensure seamless integration of products and services. Evaluate vendor performance, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships to optimize program outcomes and minimize disruptions. 

Industry Collaboration: Participate in industry conferences, seminars, and professional organizations to stay informed about current trends, network with peers, and contribute to the advancement of specialty pharmacy practice. 

Other related duties as assigned. 

Please note that the specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the organization, its size, and the scope of the specialty pharmacy program. 

Additional Job Description

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires four 4+ years directly related and progressively responsible experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory/management role; a Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited College of Pharmacy; a current, unrestricted pharmacist license through the appropriate state board of pharmacy.

Experience with accreditation or reaccreditation cycle (URAC and ACHC) is critical to success in this role.

Advanced degree, Pharm.D., and successful completion of an ASHP accredited Residency is strongly preferred.

MINIMUM SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

2. Ability to work quickly and accurately under time and volume constraints

3. Strong decision-making skills

4. Strong leadership skills

5. Strong interpersonal skills

6. Good analytical skills

7. Ability to resolve customer issues quickly and creatively to improve customer satisfaction

8. Familiarity with pharmaceutical products, services and drug interactions

9. Strong organizational skills; attention to detail

10. Must have a general knowledge of pharmacy computer systems and automated dispensing solutions