Laura M. Casanova

GS-13; Full-time; 08:30 - 4:00

• Providing leadership over pharmaceutical procurement throughout all sites of care for Iron Mountain VA Medical Center.
• Actively participates as the All Hazards Emergency Cache (AHEC) Pharmacy Manger
• Ensures compliance with medications requiring special handling, Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) medications.
• Performs daily reconciliations, as Purchase Card Holder, ensuring charges correspond to purchase card orders.
• Performs daily approval, as Approving Official, of reconciliation by cardholder and verifies accuracy.
• Performs drug dispensing; reviews and verifies provider's electronic order entries; fills all outpatient prescriptions, both widow and mailouts.
• FAC-COR Level I Certified
• Reviews ePharmacy claim rejection worklists for opportunity for resubmission and submitting Prior Authorization requests.

• Directed day-to-day administrative and operational functions for 49-bed facility, 2 Retail Pharmacies, and 340B Federal Drug Program by providing guidance and leadership to over 20 employees.
• Actively involved with drug formulary conversions and cost savings initiatives facilitated through Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meetings including formulary decision making.
• Prepared annual pharmacy financial and capital budgets.
• Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
• Developed, revised and reviewed policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
• Actively participated as TJC Medication Management Chapter Lead.
• Recruited and hired staff, providing direct supervision and ongoing staff development. Initiated action to correct performance or conduct problems.
• Reviewed medication errors reports high-lighting areas of concern and offering solutions.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Pharmacist Lead.
• Mentored students completing introductory pharmacy practicums.

• Performed all duties as described above under Director of Pharmacy.
• Successfully implemented charge on administration improving accuracy of charges and increase work efficiencies.
• Reviewed and changed charge structure resulting in increase revenue for facility.
• Managed implementation of Pyxis MedStation ES, Logistics and CII Safe.
• Coordinated COVID-19 medication guidance and vaccine procurement during pandemic.
• Successfully opened two DCHS Retail Pharmacies.
• Successfully managed renovation of existing IV room to be in compliance with USP 797 Standards.
• Exhibited proficiency in IV and chemo compounding.

• Maintained current and tested future versions of pharmacy computer systems to ensure compliance with required standards.
• Participated in implementation of Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA).
• Built, implemented and maintained Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Monitored and reported to administration on provider utilization.
• Provided training to pharmacy employees on computer system applications.
• Collaborated with members of healthcare and information technology team to promote safe, efficient, effective, timely and optimal use of medications and advocate for quality patient care.
• Assisted Manage of Pharmacy Services in special assignments, reports and projects, problem solving on matters that require overall knowledge of pharmacy, and matters affecting operation of pharmacy.

• Evaluated and interpreted patients' chart orders, reviewing patients' medication records, and consulting with healthcare team members as needed.
• Provided critical drug information and professional guidance to providers and nursing regarding possible drug interactions or allergies, side effects, and dosing. Provided clinical dosing service.
• Prepared, labeled, and distributed IV admixtures and cytotoxic agents in accordance with standards as recommended by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), exhibiting proficiency in IV and chemo compounding.
• Performed duties associated with Unit Dose Medication Dispensing System. Checked work of technicians performing assigned tasks assuring optimum workflow.
• Verified safe and secure storage of all medicines and hospital supplies; accounted for all controlled substances in compliance will all legal requirements.

• Checked prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions or allergies before dispensing medications.
• Counseled patients verbally and provided written education on proper medication use in compliance with all legal requirements.
• Procured pharmacy supplies maintaining proper inventory levels; accounted for all controlled substances in compliance will all legal requirements.