Nuclear Pharmacist

What Nuclear Pharmacy contributes to Cardinal Health

Pharmacy Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient and effective coordination of Cardinal Health's pharmacy operations that service acute care hospitals, hospital retail customers, ambulatory care and alternate site facilities, oncology and cardiology practices as well as retail customers.

Nuclear Pharmacy is responsible for providing radiopharmaceuticals and other drugs to medical care providers under highly regulated State and Federal guidelines; may also consult with or advise physicians and nuclear medicine technologists on the safe and efficacious use of radioactive drugs for diagnosis and therapy.

Job Summary
Through effective leadership and coordination with a team of direct reports, the primary purpose of the Pharmacist II, Nuclear is to manage, facilitate, and oversee execution of day-to-day operations of the nuclear pharmacy. The Pharmacist II, Nuclear has completed all necessary training and is licensed to be a practicing nuclear pharmacist in their state of occupation. As such, this job has responsibility for optimizing pharmacy operations and procedures to ensure consistent and efficient delivery to control costs, minimize waste, maximize customer satisfaction and deliver positive patient outcomes while maintaining compliance with Federal and state regulatory agencies. In addition, this job has responsibility for managing inventory, processing orders, compounding patient-specific doses of drugs and directing a team of drivers to deliver medications after they have been tested for quality.

Click here to watch a short video about what a Nuclear Pharmacist does at Cardinal Health

Responsibilities

• Provides pharmaceutical care to patients as a pharmacist, including compounding of nuclear medications, testing for quality through chromatography, and directing distribution of medication using a team of drivers.

• Assesses and maintains pharmacy inventory and executes necessary orders, including reviews, to maintain optimal supply and ongoing availability of drugs, identifying and procuring alternative drugs to mitigate risks, when necessary.

• Leads processes for hiring of pharmacy staff, onboarding, and performance management, including leadership of competency evaluations process and documentation.

• Manages and directs internal workflows of nuclear pharmacy, including optimization of staffing and scheduling to maintain best-in-class and streamlined pharmacy operations.

• Assists in execution of plans for lowering costs, increasing efficiency and driving profitable growth to support strategic business objectives in the nuclear pharmacy business.

• Maintains relationships with outside suppliers and vendors to understand availability of drug components and assist in demand planning.

• Participates in administrative tasks to facilitate nuclear pharmacy operations, including interactions with customers

• Performs other job-related duties as required to ensure the goals and objectives of the department are met including delivering doses if necessary.

• Must be willing to travel to Missouri and Iowa to provide pharmacy coverage as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or PharmD preferred

• 2-4 years of experience, preferred

• Valid Pharmacist’s license in the state in which the pharmacy operates (CA) , or is in the process of obtaining a valid license preferred

• Must complete at least 200 hours of academic training in a nuclear pharmacy through an accredited program

• Working knowledge of biohazardous waste management procedures

• Ability to hear, write, and speak clearly in order to communicate with customers and health care professionals

• Strong customer service skills

• Manual dexterity required for occasional reach, lifting and holding of small objects

• Demonstrated manual dexterity in order to dispense doses

• Ability to manage up to 75 pounds

• Willingness to travel if needed

• Must hold a valid driver's license in the state in which the pharmacy is located or obtain one upon hire

• Comfortable driving in all types of weather conditions (rain, sleet, snow, fog, wind and sun) 

• Deliveries occur during both nighttime and daytime conditions

• Flexibility to work various shifts or overtime as needed

• Intermediate computer skills (ability to use computers and tablets)

• Ability to work weekends or be in a weekend rotation

• Ability to work on call or be in an on call rotation

• Ability to work holidays or be in a holiday rotation

• Prior Authorized User certification is preferred. Nuclear Pharmacy Training can be provided

Authorized User: As defined in part by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an individual who has completed a minimum of 700 hours of training in a structured educational program consisting of both didactic training and supervised on the job training in radiation physics, instrumentation, radiation protection, chemistry, math and radiation biology. This is usually divided into two sections: 200 hours of formal course work and 500 hours of supervised experience. For current pharmacists, the requirements are the same plus a preceptor statement of training from an Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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