Job Description
SUMMARY: The Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) is responsible for the operational, clinical, and regulatory
oversight of both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. This role ensures the safe, effective, and compliant management of all medicationuse processes while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements including Illinois Board of Pharmacy regulations, Joint Commission standards, DEA requirements, and USP <795>, <797>, and <800> standards.
The PIC provides leadership and strategic oversight to pharmacy staff, ensures medication safety practices are maintained, and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to support high-quality pediatric patient care. This position includes both operational leadership responsibilities and scheduled pharmacist staffing shifts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Scope of Responsibility
• Oversight of both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations.
• Ensure safe medication management practices across all hospital pharmacy services.
• Provide leadership to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff.
• Serve as the designated Pharmacist-in-Charge with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy.
Work Structure
• Position is salaried and includes both leadership and operational responsibilities.
• Pharmacist will participate in pharmacist staffing to support inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services.
• Position will include designated administrative/office hours to focus on leadership,
• regulatory oversight, and operational initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
• Serve as the designated Pharmacist-in-Charge with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois Board of Pharmacy regulations, DEA requirements, Joint Commission standards, and USP <795>, <797>, and <800>.
• Maintain all pharmacy licenses, registrations, and inspection readiness.
• Lead preparation and response to regulatory inspections and accreditation surveys.
• Ensure compliance with Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements.
Medication Management & Patient Safety
• Oversee the hospital medication-use process including procurement, preparation, dispensing, administration support, and monitoring.
• Monitor medication safety events and lead investigations to identify root causes and implement improvements.
• Support formulary management and Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee activities.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to enhance medication safety and optimize patient outcomes.
Operational Management
• Oversee daily pharmacy operations including workflow, staffing, and medication distribution systems.
• Ensure effective use of automated dispensing cabinets and pharmacy technologies.
• Oversee inventory management including controlled substances, shortages, recalls, and expired medications.
• Ensure compliance with narcotic accountability and diversion prevention protocols.
Staff Leadership & Development
• Provide leadership and supervision to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and patient safety.
• Ensure staff competency in regulatory standards and pharmacy best practices.
Quality Improvement & Performance Monitoring
• Monitor pharmacy performance metrics including medication safety events and compliance indicators.
• Lead pharmacy quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain pharmacy policies, procedures, and standard operating protocols.
• Support hospital-wide patient safety and quality initiatives.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs other duties as assigned.
List any Additional Functions here or delete this text box
Qualifications
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited college of pharmacy. PGY1 Pharmacy Residency preferred
Related Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of hospital pharmacy experience. Experience in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations preferred. Experience in pediatric pharmacy practice strongly preferred. Minimum 2 year of leadership or supervisory experience preferred. Pediatric hospital experience preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Active Illinois Pharmacist License in good standing. Eligible to serve as Pharmacist-in-Charge with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy.
Specialist Knowledge & Skills: Strong understanding of hospital medication-use systems. Knowledge of regulatory standards including Joint Commission, USP, and DEA. Experience with automated dispensing systems. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Experience with hospital EMR systems
Additional Information
La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.
La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.