Director, Pharmacy Informatics & Medication Safety.

The University of Iowa Healthcare, Department of Pharmaceutical Care is seeking a Director, Pharmacy Informatics & Medication Safety.

The Director of Pharmacy Informatics & Medication Safety provides strategic leadership for the safe, effective, and innovative use of medication-related technology across the medication-use process. This role integrates advanced clinical pharmacy expertise with informatics and medication safety principles to optimize EHR functionality, enhance automation and decision-support systems, reduce preventable harm, and works across disciplines to improve workflow efficiency. This leader directs and supports pharmacy teams in informatics, medication safety and drug policy.  The role also provides guidance to pharmacy practice informatics specialists at UI Community Connect sites and requires deep collaboration with UI Health Care Information Systems (HCIS) to ensure aligned, high-quality system design and sustainment. The Director will work closely with Pharmacy Department leadership, the Quality Improvement Program (QuIP), HCIS, and other cross-functional partners to promote the safe and optimal use of medications through effective utilization of information systems, automation, analytics, and digital tools. The role is instrumental in planning, evaluating, and implementing informatics and medication-safety initiatives that advance clinical practice, improve quality outcomes, and support institutional priorities.

This position requires obtaining and maintaining Epic certifications in Willow Inpatient, Willow Ambulatory, and Cogito. The individual must possess extensive knowledge of ISMP standards and Epic system capabilities, demonstrating the ability to lead, evaluate, and support complex build and configuration activities. This individual should also have demonstrated experience navigating regulatory oversight and compliance requirements with agencies including The Joint Commission, DIAL, and the Board of Pharmacy.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Pharmaceutical Care Operations

  • Assists in planning and delivering pharmacy services, with a focus on information system management. Assign tasks to managers and monitors individual and team progress.
  • Partners with the Business Support team, to ensure effective systems are in place for managing revenue cycle, 340B compliance, and supply chain operations.
  • Oversee data management and the creation of dashboards to support performance monitoring, including diversion data analytics.
  • Collaborates with pharmacy and organizational leaders to coordinate and standardize the use of information systems and automation.
  • Provides overall guidance and oversight of information system utilization.
  • Work closely with Health Care Information Systems (HCIS) on the implementation and optimization of the electronic health record (EHR).
  • Ensure that staff maintain competency with the EHR and related systems.
  • Foster an environment that promotes high performance, collaboration, and teamwork.
  • Oversee the safe integration and optimization of medication-use technologies (EHR, smart pumps, ADCs, IV workflow systems, compounding systems).
  • Direct the development, testing, and implementation of medication-use policies, high-alert medication protocols, and organization-wide safety standards.
  • Direct operational and clinical readiness activities for system upgrades, safety enhancements, and technology implementations.
  • Ensure alignment of medication data and configurations across all digital platforms.
  • Lead informatics-based solutions to reduce preventable harm and improve workflow efficiency.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive medication safety program spanning the full medication-use process, including prescribing, verification, preparation, dispensing, administration, and monitoring.
  • Oversee system-level medication safety strategies for high-alert medications, look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs, pediatric dosing, chemotherapy, investigational agents, and specialty medications.
• Education
  • Designs targeted medication safety training for high-risk medications, new technologies, workflow changes, and identified safety trends.
  • Develops and oversees a structured medication safety education program for pharmacy staff, learners, and interdisciplinary partners.
  • Develops education and learning materials in response to emerging risks, near misses, or regulatory updates.
  • Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.
  • Provides didactic instruction at the College of Pharmacy as needed.
  • Communicate system upgrades and changes to affected stakeholders in a timely and effective manner.
  • Creates and distributes safety alerts, communication plans, and targeted risk-mitigation messages.
  • Leads multidisciplinary education efforts during implementation of new medication-use technologies.
• Health Care System Improvement
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate staff-identified concerns, developing safe and effective solutions aligned with departmental and organizational goals.
  • Identifies system vulnerabilities and trends through ongoing review of medication error data, override patterns, smart pump alerts, and clinical decision support.
  • Partners with the Quality Improvement Program (QuIP) leaders to align medication safety initiatives with institutional quality goals.
  • Provides guidance on time management and ensures appropriate allocation of time and resources to various projects.
  • Partners with departmental leaders to identify priorities and assist in planning new programs and services.
  • Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of clinical and technical initiatives in collaboration with other department leaders.
  • Conducts review and triage of medication-related safety events, trends, and near misses.
  • Uses data and performance metrics to identify system gaps and prioritize improvement initiatives.
  • Leads technology-enabled safety programs aimed at reducing high-risk medication errors.
  • Assesses post-implementation outcomes to ensure interventions are sustained and effective.
• Compliance and Regulatory Management
  • Ensures compliance with regulatory standards and federal, state, and local laws related to medication safety and information systems.
  • Oversees preparation for and response to regulatory surveys, audits, and inspections related to medication safety and medication-use systems. Oversee the configuration of information systems to support compliance requirements.
  • Assists departmental leaders in developing compliant workflows and practices in accordance with regulatory guidance.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert on informatics, medication safety and system-related opportunities and participates in relevant committees as needed.
  • Ensures medication-use technology and policies meet Joint Commission, CMS, USP, ISMP, and internal safety standards.
  • Supports audits, accreditation readiness, and ongoing monitoring of medication-use safety indicators.
  • Develops, maintains, and oversees policies related to medication-use systems, automation, and clinical decision support.
  • Leads compliance assessments for medication-related data, documentation, and decision-support integrity.
• Human Resource Management
  • Recruits, develops, and manages the performance of assigned staff.
  • Leads team and staff meetings within assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Ensures staff adherence to UI policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
  • Conducts performance evaluations and develop improvement plans as necessary.
  • Supports managers in monitoring staff assignments and responsibilities, including assisting with coaching and disciplinary actions when appropriate.
  • Evaluates employee engagement and implements initiatives to improve satisfaction.
  • Guides staff in complex system issues, RCA participation, data analysis, and CDS best practices.
  • Establishes goals and priorities that advance both medication safety and informatics services.
  • Ensures team competency including but not limited to: safety principles, system troubleshooting, and cross-platform medication management.
• Financial Management
  • Monitors assigned budgets, including expense management and personnel utilization.
  • Understands billing processes for both take-home prescriptions and medications administered in inpatient and ambulatory care settings.
  • Collaborates with departmental leaders to develop mechanisms for tracking and reporting drug expenditures and revenue.
  • Evaluates cost-effectiveness of medication safety initiatives and technology implementations.
  • Uses data to support business cases for automation, analytics tools, and safety enhancements.
  • Tracks financial impact of medication safety events, technology-driven efficiencies, and waste-reduction effort

TECHNICAL COMPENTENCIES 

• Accountability
  • Fosters a team culture centered on accountability and shared commitment to achieving project goals.
  • Responds promptly and constructively to concerns raised by departmental leadership.
  • Reinforces positive performance and provides guidance for improvement where needed.
  • Document and share transferable knowledge to support team development.
  • Support others in identifying and resolving issues that may hinder progress.
  • Ensures accuracy, integrity, and consistency of medication-related data and configurations.
  • Holds teams accountable for meeting safety milestones, testing standards, and change-control requirements.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking
  • Assists in evaluating risks, benefits, and alternatives in complex situations.
  • Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes key concerns effectively.
  • Gathers, organizes, and synthesizes relevant data and insights to support informed decision-making.
  • Utilizes medication event data, human-factors analysis, and evidence-based guidelines to drive high-stakes decision-making.
  • Uses system data, safety events, and workflow analysis to inform high-impact decisions.
  • Help determine safe implementation pathways for new medications, policies, or technology initiatives.
• Drug Utilization and Review (DUR) / Business Intelligence
  • Supports business intelligence initiatives by developing dashboards and performance monitoring tools.
  • Participates in data collection and analysis to identify trends and issues related to drug utilization.
  • Stays current with data systems and tools used to deliver actionable medication use insights to department leadership.
  • Develops and maintains dashboards specific to safety indicators, technology performance, and event trends.
  • Uses analytics to support prioritization, RCA work, and strategic planning.
• Effective Communication
  • Communicates clearly and effectively with stakeholders across various levels.
  • Tailors’ documents and presentations to meet the needs of different audiences.
  • Maintains clarity and focus during discussions and written communications.
  • Leads communication strategies for go-lives, safety advisories, workflow changes, and technology rollouts.
  • Ensures transparency and timely dissemination of system updates, event trends, and safety expectations.