Role of the director of pharmacy: the first six months

Interviewing for a director of pharmacy position is discussed, and recommended activities for a pharmacy director's first six months on the job are described.

A prospective pharmacy director should first target the specific positions available that best fit his or her skills. The individual should tour the hospital and the pharmacy for each position of interest. Interviews should include the pharmacy staff, the nursing staff, the direct-report manager, and the medical staff. The hospital's financial condition should be assessed and a postinterview analysis conducted. Once hired, the new director should devote the first three months to an assessment of pharmacy services, staff, and customers; a regulatory and accreditation review; and assessments of organizational leadership, information systems, and clinical services. In addition, key documents, such as hospital policies and procedures, should be reviewed. At the end of the first three months, two documents, a summary of the new director's initial assessments and a chart showing current workflow, should be completed. Tasks for the first six months on the job include devising a work plan to address issues, developing reporting systems and metrics, setting priorities, creating staffing and clinical plans, promoting staff development creating and revising procedures, and evaluating outsourcing needs. The director should take a moment from time to time to celebrate successes with the staff.

The director of pharmacy has one of the most complex jobs in the hospital. Planning, communicating, networking, writing, listening, leading, and motivating are skills necessary for success.