CHIEF PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND HEALTH SERVICES

Definition

Under direction of a higher level supervisor officer, develops, implements, directs, and evaluates the pharmaceutical aspects of the New Jersey Health Services Program and the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program; provides supervision, consultation, policy interpretation, and direction to Regional Pharmaceutical Consultants; advises and consults with Regional and Local Medical Consultants, Dental, and Pediatric Consultants on pharmaceutical services, and where applicable on medical supplies and equipment and Hearing Aids; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Is responsible for all administrative functions related to the Pharmaceutical Services aspects of the Medical Assistance Program and the P.A.A.D. Program.
• Develops the scope, content, and priorities of the Health Services Program, specifically as related to Pharmaceutical Services, with the ultimate objective of developing a comprehensive Medical Assistance Program for all indigent persons, medically needy, and P.A.A.D. eligibles.
• Develops methods, policies, and procedures to foster the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for Medical Assistance and P.A.A.D. recipients consistent with federal and state regulations.
• Develops policies and procedures relating to the provision of medical supplies and durable medical equipment and hearing aids for Medical Assistance recipients.
• Develops effective methods for monitoring utilization and establishing peer review procedures, and formulates standards appropriate to ensure that the Pharmaceutical Services rendered are meaningful and of high quality.
• Develops standards and selects qualified Pharmacists to serve the division; advises on the selection of members of the pharmaceutical technical advisory committee, and advises on the selection of qualified pharmacists and other technical specialists required to furnish specialized consultant services to the division.
• Serves as professional liaison with other public and private agencies in order to encourage cooperative efforts in solving common problems, particularly with respect to pharmaceutical services and resources, in the development of plans for effective utilization of existing community resources, and participates with other state departments and agencies in the planning and development of new resources for pharmaceutical services.
• Directs the development of the pharmaceutical services aspect of the Health Services program to meet federal requirements and, as assigned, serves as liaison with Federal Department of Health, Education, and Welfare representatives relative to drugs and other pharmaceutical services.
• Maintains liaison with the professional staff of other state departments, such as the State Department of Health, other divisions and bureaus of the department and other states concerning drug and pharmaceutical services provided through various programs to indigent and medically needy persons. Develops, directs, and participates in the execution of special studies to assess pharmaceutical needs, gaps in services, and the utilization of available pharmaceutical service resources by medical assistance recipients.
• Participates with the Bureau of Health Statistics and Economics in studying the pharmaceutical services provided by the program; makes recommendations for extending and strengthening services based upon operation experience; participates in developing systems for reporting, storage, retrieval, and evaluation of pharmaceutical services data to provide the basis for improvement and extension of services and for program management.
• Maintains liaison with and represents the Department in Statewide relationships with the pharmaceutical community, interpreting the Medical Assistance Program to pharmaceutical associations and related groups.
• Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of the Pharmaceutical Services Program containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or school of pharmacy with a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience as a Registered Pharmacist, which shall have included at least four (4) years with a large public or private health agency, organization, or health related institution in a medical care program; at least two (2) years of the indicated experience shall have been in a supervisory or consultative capacity.

License

Possession of a valid license as a Registered Pharmacist issued by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of all administrative procedures related to the pharmaceutical services aspects of the Medical Assistance Program.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations as they relate to the Medical Assistance Program.
• Knowledge of all types of medical supplies, durable medical equipment, and hearing aids, which are, required by medical assistance recipients.
• Knowledge of utilization review procedures and pharmaceutical standards.
• Knowledge of the Medical Assistance and Advisory Council and other committees as they relate to the Medical Assistance Program.
• Ability to develop effective communication methods between all agencies and personnel involved in the Medical Assistance Program.
• Ability to determine pharmaceutical staff needs in the various units of the division.
• Ability to supervise the provision of Pharmaceutical Consultant Services in the various units to assure the availability of quality pharmaceuticals for eligible recipients.
• Ability to develop orientation and in-service training programs for Pharmaceutical Consultants.
• Ability to provide technical advice and consultation to the Medical Director with respect to the pharmaceutical services aspects of the State Medical Assistance Program.
• Ability to make field visits to various units in order to examine and evaluate the operations of these units.
• Ability to advise on standards and assist in the selection of qualified pharmacists to serve the division.
• Ability to make field visits to various units in order to examine and evaluate the operations of these units.
• Ability to advise on standards and assist in the selection of qualified pharmacists to serve the division.
• Ability to develop and maintain a pharmaceutical services program which meets federal requirements.
• Ability to serve as a professional liaison with other private and public agencies.
• Ability to conduct special studies to assess pharmaceutical needs and gaps in services.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.