What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medication Safety Manager position at The University of Iowa?
The University of Iowa Healthcare, Department of Pharmaceutical Care is seeking a Medication Safety Manager.
The Medication Safety Manager leads and operationalizes the medication safety program at University of Iowa Health Care, with a focus on hands-on engagement and continuous improvement. This leader partners with pharmacy operations, nursing, medical staff, informatics, and key members of the UI Health Care Quality and Improvement Program (QuIP), including the Chief Quality Officer and the medication-safety-focused Patient Safety Engineer, to integrate medication safety initiatives into the Pharmacy Department’s strategic plan and system-wide quality improvement efforts. This role includes both reactive and proactive risk analysis, monitoring of medication safety outcomes (including adverse drug reactions), and the direct supervision of a Quality and Operational Improvement Specialist.
POSITION REPONSIBILITIES:
Medication Safety Leadership and Expertise
- Partners with pharmacy and clinical leaders, as well as QuIP team members, to integrate medication safety initiatives and metrics into the pharmacy department’s strategic goals and operational plans.
- Serve as the leader on medication safety principles and best practices throughout the health system.
- Provide medication safety expertise to support technology and automation decisions.
- Coordinate and co-chair the monthly Medication Safety Task Force and actively participate in executive-level quality and patient safety committees.
- Develop, review, and implement policies and procedures that support safe and effective medication use across care settings.
Reactive and Proactive Safety Analysis
- Lead evaluation of medication-related events reported through the organization’s error reporting system (e.g., Riskonnect), ensuring consistent and timely review and follow-up.
- Facilitate comprehensive systematic analyses for significant medication events.
- Lead proactive risk assessments (e.g., Failure Modes and Effects Analysis [FMEA]) to anticipate and prevent potential errors before they occur, also using ISMP tools and guidance to inform focus areas.
- Oversee processes for capturing and analyzing data on medication errors and system failures.
- Monitor and evaluate adverse drug reactions and trends, partnering with clinical teams to implement mitigation strategies.
- Operation and Implementation
- Collaborate with operational and clinical stakeholders to implement and optimize medication-use technology and automation systems.
- Work directly with frontline teams to identify system vulnerabilities and implement sustainable, evidence-based solutions.
- Education and Staff Development
- Serve as a preceptor and mentor for pharmacy residents and students with a focus on medication safety and operational improvement.
- Educate pharmacy staff, nursing, and other clinicians on medication safety best practices, error prevention strategies, Just Culture, and reporting expectations.
- Health System Improvements
- Partner with hospital departments and QuIP team members to evaluate, design, and implement efficient and safe patient services.
- Ensure quality control standards in the medication-use process through data-driven improvement methodologies.
- Human Resource Management
- Recruit, develop, and manage performance of direct reports, including the Quality and Operational Improvement Specialist.
- Provide coaching and professional development to pharmacy personnel.
- Implement performance improvement plans as needed and contribute to a positive team culture.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
- Current license or eligibility to be licensed as Pharmacist by Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency or a minimum of five (5) years in a complex clinical pharmacy environment with progressive responsibility in quality and safety.
- Demonstrated expertise in medication safety, risk management, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Strong analytical skills and understanding of data, risk assessment, and prioritization.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience precepting pharmacy residents and student pharmacists.
- Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY2 in Medication-Use Safety and Policy (MUSP), combined PGY1/PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy program, or PGY1/2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residency program.
- Completion of the ISMP Medication Safety Intensive Workshop and/or ASHP Medication Safety Certificate Program.
- Experience using ISMP resources and guidance to support proactive risk assessments and safety initiatives.
- Advanced degree in healthcare or management (e.g., MHA, MPH, MBA, MS in Pharmacy/Health Systems).
- Experience with pharmacy automation, health-system technology, Epic electronic health record, and quality improvement tools.
- Project management certification or formal training in quality methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
Position and Application details:
Cover Letter and Resume are required to be considered for an interview; applicants must upload the document and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Teresa Walker at teresa-walker@uiowa.edu.