Retail/Outpatient Pharmacy Manager

Downstate; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University seeks a Pharmacy Manager to oversee outpatient and specialty pharmacy services, directing operations, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship to deliver high-quality patient care.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, drive efficiency, and collaborate with clinical colleagues to expand services and ensure accreditation across pharmacy programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee outpatient pharmacy operations, including medication preparation, dispensing, and meds-to-bed services.
• Assist leadership in implementing and monitoring pharmacy policies and changes required by hospital regulations.
• Oversee staff pharmacists in outpatient pharmacy and resolve escalated clinical communications and patient complaints.
• Identify opportunities using sales and inventory data; develop plans in response to regulatory changes.
• Ensure compliance with 340B program guidelines and Board of Pharmacy requirements.
• Maintain records for prescription purchases and dispensing; reconcile inventory and audits.
• Oversee controlled/non-controlled substance inventory in compliance with law.
• Lead staff scheduling, performance feedback, and process improvement initiatives.
• Counsel patients on medication use, safety, and interactions; interpret orders for safety and policy compliance.

Job description

Position Summary

The Retail/Outpatient Pharmacy Manager oversees the comprehensive operations of outpatient and specialty pharmacy services at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. This leadership role encompasses strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship to ensure high-quality, patient-centered pharmaceutical care. The Manager leads initiatives to enhance medication access, optimize workflows, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration with clinical teams in alignment with institutional goals. A critical component of the role is management of the specialty pharmacy program, supporting patients with complex medication needs and ensuring accreditation and operational excellence.

The Manager supervises a multidisciplinary team, emphasizing staff development, operational efficiency, and innovation in pharmacy services; implements evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes; develops sustainable revenue streams; supports academic partnerships; and expands pharmacy services for diverse patient populations using data analytics to inform performance and growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pharmacy Operations & Regulatory Compliance:

• Oversee outpatient pharmacy operations, including medication preparation, dispensing, and medication-to-bed (Meds-2-Beds) services, in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Assist pharmacy leadership in implementing and monitoring pharmacy policies, procedures, and changes required by hospital regulations.
• Oversee staff pharmacists in outpatient pharmacy and resolve escalated clinical communications and patient complaints.
• Identify pharmacy opportunities using sales and inventory information; develop plans responding to regulatory changes.
• Ensure compliance with 340B program guidelines and best practices.
• Supervise the storage, sale, and dispensing of medications and restricted devices in compliance with New York State Board of Pharmacy requirements.
• Maintain required records for prescription drug purchases and dispensing, including controlled-substance records; reconcile and audit physical inventory.
• Oversee controlled and non-controlled substance inventory in accordance with state and federal law.
• Maintain pharmacy records required by law and institutional policy and safeguard dispensing and compounding areas against unauthorized access.

Strategic Planning, Partnerships & Fiscal Performance:

• Advise hospital leadership on strategic priorities and market plans; collaborate with pharmacy leadership to increase revenue and expand community healthcare services.
• Manage relationships with local healthcare facilities, clinics, colleges, and professional organizations.
• Identify and facilitate pharmacy training and educational opportunities.
• Provide the Director of Outpatient & Specialty Pharmacy Services with input on quarterly pharmaceutical sales.
• Make quality hiring decisions, operate within approved budgets, develop cost‑saving measures, and align decisions and implementation plans with strategic goals.

Staff Supervision & Leadership:

• Prepare staff schedules, coordinate assignments, and approve paid-time-off requests according to forecasted business demand.
• Monitor work assignments and daily performance; coach and discipline staff as necessary.
• Define responsibilities, expectations, goals, and objectives; encourage team cooperation, problem solving, staff participation, and process improvement.
• Delegate effectively, provide regular performance feedback, develop employee skills, and support training and professional development.
• Communicate changes, support employees through transitions, and monitor and evaluate outcomes.
• Solicit and apply feedback; address difficult situations objectively; resolve conflicts and promote sound, timely decisions.
• Communicate regularly with pharmacy team members through individual discussions, group meetings, and written updates.
• Review and cascade healthcare information from conferences, pharmacy meetings, and regulatory, compliance, medication safety, and healthcare initiatives.

Clinical Pharmacy & Patient Communication:

• Instruct pharmacists and technicians on appropriate pharmacy practice activities.
• Counsel patients regarding medication use, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and other matters required by applicable law and accreditation standards.
• Interpret medication orders and prescriptions to ensure completeness, safety, and compliance with pharmacy policy.
• Perform medication order entry; prepare compounds and dispense medications for outpatient, specialty, and ambulatory care use.
• Perform pharmacist duties involve safe procurement, preparation, labeling, distribution, and control of medications.
• Participate in outpatient pharmacy on-call rotation, as applicable.
• Assist with phones, prescription counting, checkout, and other pharmacy service functions as operationally needed.

Quality, Safety & Professional Development:

• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement projects and organizational process improvement activities.
• Address pharmacy incident reports, conduct root‑cause analysis, provide staff training or retraining, and implement operational safety improvements with leadership.
• Recognize individual patient and family needs, including health literacy, language, communication preferences, physical limitations, and personal history.
• Demonstrate respect for a diverse workforce and patient population and uphold SUNY Downstate's Code of Conduct, mission, vision, and values.
• Provide constructive feedback, assist with new staff orientation, and train and evaluate staff pharmacists to support quality patient care.
• Maintain professional competence, participate in teaching programs, complete ongoing education, and share best practices.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze problems and recommend solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by appropriate management.