Andrew Costa
Bloomsburg,PA
Summary
Licensed Pharmacist with over 30 years in retail and long-term care settings. Demonstrates a strong ability to enhance pharmaceutical care, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve patient outcomes through effective medication therapy management. Proven track record in building relationships with healthcare teams and optimizing pharmacy operations.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LTC Staff Pharmacist
Health Direct Pharmacy #134
Berwick, PA
05.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to optimize patient pharmaceutical care.
- Monitored drug interactions and recommended adjustments as necessary.
- Maintained accurate records documenting all activities related to dispensing controlled substances according to federal regulations.
- Researched alternative therapies when recommended treatments are not available due to shortages or supply problems.
- Implemented cost-saving measures and medication therapy management programs to improve patient outcomes.
Retail Staff Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
Bloomsburg, PA
03.2021 - 05.2023
- Ensured appropriate dosages and safety by checking prescriptions for drug interactions and allergies before medication dispensing.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, insurance companies, and managed care organizations.
- Correctly interpreted prescriptions from healthcare providers to dispense medications and health products effectively.
- Checked labeling on medication bottles for accuracy before patient distribution.
Staff Pharmacist
Weis Markets Inc
Bloomsburg, PA
07.2020 - 03.2021
- Verified prescriptions for dosage accuracy, drug interactions, allergies, and contraindications prior to dispensing medications.
- Maintained regular communication with physicians, nurses, insurance companies, and managed care organizations.
- Provided detailed information on pharmaceuticals to customers and addressed inquiries regarding medications and side effects.
- Compounded and dispensed medications as prescribed by healthcare providers.
- Administered vaccinations to patients for immunity against COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, and other diseases.
Staff Pharmacist
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Coal Township, PA
09.2018 - 07.2020
- Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.
- Communicated regularly with physicians, nurses, insurance companies and managed care organizations.
- Recommended OTC devices or medication options to help mitigate individual symptoms.
- Provided medication therapy management to patients using Outcomes and Mirixa.
- Vaccinated patients to provide immunity against influenza, pneumonia and other diseases.
- Supervised dispensation of controlled substances using careful oversight and audit procedures.
Pharmacy Manager
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Bloomsburg, PA
06.1998 - 09.2018
- Cultivated strong customer relationships by prioritizing needs and satisfaction to deliver exceptional service.
- Collaborated with store management to enhance pharmacy visibility through healthcare screenings and wellness events.
- Cross-promoted OTC products to drive add-on sales, boosting overall revenue.
- Oversaw a team of 8 to 18 employees, increasing prescription volume from under 2,000 to over 4,000 per week.
- Ensured compliance with FDA standards and legal requirements while providing a safe customer experience.
- Managed budgeting and purchasing controls for drug products, maintaining security and accountability.
- Established excellent rapport with pharmacists and pharmacy staff, fostering teamwork and efficiency.
- Selected as model pharmacy champion, leading implementation of new corporate initiatives across market.
Pharmacy Area Manager
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Bloomsburg, PA
08.2007 - 03.2018
- Recruited undergraduate students at local university and participated in university job fair.
- Supervised pharmacy managers and pharmacists across multiple locations to ensure compliance.
- Maintained strong relationships with store managers, asset protection managers, and pharmacy staff.
- Assessed pharmacy workflow and standards at all pharmacies within market, reporting findings to management.
- Recommended improvements when necessary and developed action plans for error correction.
- Conducted annual pharmacy inventories for all market locations, including pre-inventory and shrink reviews.
- Collaborated with asset protection managers to identify shrink causes and train personnel accordingly.
- Served as primary contact for pharmacy associates and regional managers in absence of market manager.
Staff Pharmacist
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Bloomsburg, PA
04.1995 - 06.1998
- Prepared medications for dispensing while ensuring safety and accuracy of prescription filling processes through strict adherence to policies.
- Monitored drug therapy for contraindications, duplicate therapies, interactions, allergies, incompatibilities, and dosing errors.
- Assisted in supervising inventory management of pharmaceuticals and supplies to guarantee compliance and availability.
- Participated in training initiatives for current and new pharmacy employees to improve team performance across multiple locations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science
Philadelphia, PA12-1994
Skills
- Medication therapy management
- Drug utilization review
- Pharmacy operations management
- Regulatory compliance
- Pharmacy billing processes
- Sterile compounding
- Immunization expertise
- Needs assessment
- Educational support
Certification
- ACPE Sterile Compounding USP 797 Certification
- Immunization Certified
- MTM training
Timeline
LTC Staff Pharmacist
Health Direct Pharmacy #134
05.2023 - Current
Retail Staff Pharmacist
CVS Pharmacy
03.2021 - 05.2023
Staff Pharmacist
Weis Markets Inc
07.2020 - 03.2021
Staff Pharmacist
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
09.2018 - 07.2020
Pharmacy Area Manager
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
08.2007 - 03.2018
Pharmacy Manager
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
06.1998 - 09.2018
Staff Pharmacist
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
04.1995 - 06.1998
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacy
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science