Director of Pharmacy

A Director of Pharmacy for Behavioral Health provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for pharmacy services within a psychiatric hospital or unit. Key duties include ensuring regulatory compliance (JCAHO, DEA), managing psychotropic medication workflows, controlling inventory, and leading pharmacy staff. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient-centered care and medication safety.

Key Responsibilities Operations Management:

Oversee daily operations, including purchasing, dispensing, inventory management, and automated dispensing systems (e.g., Pyxis).

Clinical Leadership:

Develop and monitor evidence-based protocols for psychiatric medications, including long-acting injectables, clozapine REMS, and rapid tranquilization.

Regulatory Compliance:

Ensure full adherence to federal/state laws and accreditation standards, serving as the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC).

Staff Leadership:

Recruit, train, and supervise pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

Participate in treatment teams, medication utilization evaluations (MUEs), and Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) committees. Required Qualifications Active, unrestricted Pharmacist license in the state of practice. PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) from an accredited institution preferred. Minimum 2-3 years of pharmacy experience in a hospital setting (acute or behavioral). Experience in a supervisory or management role. Knowledge of behavioral health, psychopharmacology, and Joint Commission standards.