PDM Prescription Department Manager
Prescription Department Manager's Roles, Duties and Responsibilities
A PDM (also commonly referred to as a Pharmacy Manager or Pharmacist Manager) is required for all retail community pharmacies in every state. The prescription department manager's roles and responsibilities are defined and regulated by each state's Board of Pharmacy. Although variance does exist between individual states, the PDM's responsibilities are fairly uniform. In short, the PDM is responsible for all pharmacy personnel and activities including the dispensing of prescriptions, pharmacy security, supervision and training of all pharmacy employees, plus adherence to all federal and state regulations.A more detailed and comprehensive look at a Prescription Manager's duties will include all of the following:- Developing and maintaining a current written policy and procedure manual. The policy and procedure manual must be kept up to date and readily available during an inspection by any state or federal agencies. Additionally, the PDM is also responsible for the development of both training manuals and of Quality Assurance programs.- Notifying the Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of any change in pharmacist personnel.- Additionally, they must notify the Board of Pharmacy if employing pharmacytechnicians and must provide a training program for each technician.- They must maintain prescription records for at least three (3) years in most states.- They must ensure than all prescription dispensing and drug compounding are only performed by a licensed pharmacist (or under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed pharmacist). Additionally, they must ensure that all patient consulting and counseling is performed by a pharmacist only.- Assure that all prescription drugs and controlled substances are safe and securein the pharmacy. This includes developing a system of inventory record keeping to detect discrepancies in controlled substances.- The PDM is responsible for all aspects of the pharmacy security. This includes restricting access to non-authorized store personnel, securing of the pharmacy department if it is closed but the store is still open, as well as controlling all keys to the pharmacy.- Preparation of a plan to safeguard the prescription records and drugs in the event of a natural disaster (such as a hurricane, flood or tornado).- Separate, store and dispose of all drugs that are over 6 months out of date and expired.- Report to the Board of Pharmacy any deaths due to drugs dispensed from their pharmacy.- In a pharmacy that dispenses or compounds sterile pharmaceuticals, the Pharmacy Manager must be knowledgeable in both aseptic techniques and quality assurance, plus is responsible for the development of a system for the disposal of any infectious wastes.
Replacing a PDM
If you need to change or replace your existing Pharmacy Manager, it's important that you follow the rules that almost every state adheres to:- A pharmacist can serve as the Pharmacist Manager at only one full service retail pharmacy (or permit) at one time.- The pharmacist must be present at least half the time the pharmacy is open or 32 hours per week, whichever is less.- A pharmacist who is an employee is allowed to serve as a temporary PDM for a 90 day period from the departure date of the previous prescription department manager, if the pharmacist is at the pharmacy for a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week.- The pharmacy is responsible for completing a controlled substance inventory within 10 days of a PDM change at the pharmacy.It is important to take note that a pharmacy's state permit is tied to an individual pharmacist that's licensed to practice in that state and designated as the Pharmacist In Charge (PIC), but the PDM may be a separate individual. In many instances, however, the PDM and the PIC are the same individual for the retail pharmacy.
HCC Can Help You Find the Right PDM
If you own or manage a pharmacy and need to replace or change your Prescription Department Manager, Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing can be a great resource for you. In business since 1989, HCC can find you the best qualified pharmacist to meet your particular situation and needs. With over three decades of experience in pharmacy staffing and pharmacist recruitment, HCC is nationally renowned for a history of matching the right candidate to the right job in all fifty states. Plus, we have in-house consultant pharmacists on staff that can help guide you through the process, having been through it numerous times in the past.Additionally, HCC offers our clients Interim Pharmacy Management Services. This not only allows your pharmacy to operate while you search for just the right PDM, but also gives our experienced staff the chance to review your pharmacy's business performance and efficiency from an objective viewpoint. We also offer non-resident licensing services in every state.If you are currently searching for the best PDM available for your retail pharmacy business, call us now at (800) 642-1652 or Contact Us Online now. An experienced HCC staffing consultant will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your needs.