Chief Pharmacist - Atrius Health

Atrius Health, part of the Optum family of businesses, is an innovative health care leader and multi-specialty group practice delivering an effective, connected system of care for adult and pediatric patients at 28 practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Our team of providers works collaboratively with a value-based philosophy within our group practice as well as with hospitals, rehab, and nursing facilities. Be part of our vision to transform care and improve lives by building trust, understanding, and shared decision-making with every patient.

Location: 26 City Hall Mall, Medford, MA

About the Role

Under general direction from the Chief Pharmacy Officer, Director of Pharmacy, and Regional Pharmacy Operations Manager, this role is responsible for the overall operation of the site pharmacy. Responsibilities include hiring and supervision of staff, regulatory compliance, budget preparation and performance, weekly scheduling, acquisition, inventory and disbursement of pharmaceuticals, workflow, prescription processing, inventory management, financial profitability, payroll management, and security. The role emphasizes ensuring Service Excellence to patients while maximizing the P&L.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages the daily operations of the department, prioritizing direction to ensure pharmacy success by executing strategy, motivating and inspiring the team, and building rapport with clinicians, colleagues, clinical departments, and patients.
• Adheres to and implements policies and procedures, Atrius Health Code of Conduct, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Ensures safe and accurate dispensing of all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs (OTCs), including patient profile review for drug interactions.
• Ensures pharmacists verify authenticity of prescriptions, resolve discrepancies, validate prescription order entry, and ensure proper labeling, filling, and delivery processes.
• Ensures all patients are provided the opportunity to receive counseling and utilizes control processes to measure quality of dispensing.
• Periodically surveys patient satisfaction and addresses patient complaints associated with the department's services.
• Develops, monitors, oversees, and is accountable for the department operating budget, including cost of goods sold and profit margins.
• Analyzes performance against budget and reports findings to central pharmacy administration.
• Submits monthly departmental operating statistics, utilizing a uniform divisional format, to pharmacy administration and accounting.
• Ensures operations are managed within budget and established guidelines, implementing cost-saving measures as appropriate.
• Contributes to the development of solutions to drive growth, increase capture, and improve site and team performance.
• Actively supports and models Service Excellence, owning team decisions, and communicating organizational initiatives.
• Drives results and accountability among the team, facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
• Promotes a one-team culture, supporting and developing the pharmacy team through orientation, training, and evaluation.
• Manages pharmacy and staff performance by assigning tasks, providing direction, coaching, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Ensures pharmacists lead and direct the work within the pharmacy, overseeing all processes prior to dispensing medication per policies and procedures.
• Acquires and disburses all pharmaceuticals within the practice, overseeing facility security, proper storage of medications, and maintaining accurate records of controlled substances.
• Monitors expired medications, drug shortage action plans, returns, and recalls per policy.
• Ensures documentation is maintained for all areas related to drug preparation and delivery, including order entry, equipment management, adverse events, and drug inventory.
• Takes an active role in the identification, development, and implementation of quality improvement projects.
• Identifies and reports medication-related safety events and HIPAA violations per policy.
• Implements documented counseling and/or corrective action per company guidelines.
• Keeps current all employee and department licenses/certifications, registrations, and Power of Attorney for DEA Orders.
• Monitors pharmacist and technician compliance with state/federal mandated continuing educational requirements.
• Actively participates in assigned projects and activities that support Atrius Health's mission, values, and goals.
• Serves as a preceptor to ensure pharmacy students achieve performance standards.
• Represents the department at facility and plan-wide meetings and special task forces.
• Orients new clinicians to departmental and corporate pharmacy processes and tools.
• Collaborates with other Chiefs and colleagues to ensure the success of the overall Atrius Pharmacy Department.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including a wide range of routine and complex pharmaceutical duties/projects in support of Specialty Pharmacy.
• Develops strong working relationships with clinical department leaders to grow the specialty pharmacy business.
• Establishes working relationships with account managers to acquire specialty medications from wholesalers or directly from the manufacturer.
• Provides administrative oversight and coaching to the Specialty Pharmacy Supervisor.
• Dedicates greater than 10% of work time to implementing quality measurement and improvement programs for Specialty Pharmacy delivery.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Leads and manages a group of exempt and nonexempt pharmacy staff, including subordinate supervisors.
• Delegates Pharmacist in Charge during Chief absence.
• Carries out supervisory and leadership responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Oversees the operations and personnel of the pharmacy to ensure consumer and staff safety.
• Provides consistent monitoring and frequent coaching/counseling of staff to set expectations.
• Interviews, selects, orients, and trains employees; plans, assigns, and directs work.
• Evaluates performance, rewards, and disciplines employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
• Develops talent and succession plans.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of Pharmacy; Pharm D or Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy.
• Currently a Registered Pharmacist in the state of Massachusetts with an active pharmacist license without restrictions from the MA Board of Pharmacy.
• Complete 20 Continuing Education (CE) credits per calendar year as required by the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy.
• Not be listed on the Exclusion Database List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG).
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on specialty.
• Immunization certification recommended.
• Solid knowledge of pharmacy operations and fee-for-service business.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Team-oriented with excellent customer service skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to use all electronic tools and applications relevant to the performance of duties, including automated dispensing systems and reports.
• Performs all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and company policies and procedures.
• Accesses only the minimum necessary protected health information (PHI) for job duties and actively protects confidentiality and privacy.
• Complies with all Atrius Health and departmental privacy policies, procedures, and protocols per Atrius Health Policy on the Confidentiality of Patient Clinical and Personal Information.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM