About Sarasota Arthritis Center

Sarasota Arthritis Centers is a privately owned, physician-led rheumatology practice serving Southwest Florida, with locations in Sarasota, Venice, and Bradenton. We provide comprehensive care through our on-site infusion therapy and clinical research center. Built on a foundation of compassion, integrity, and excellence in patient care, we foster a supportive, team-oriented environment where employees are valued, collaboration is encouraged, and patients remain at the center of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Sarasota Arthritis Center’s in-house specialty pharmacy/MID program from initial planning through operational launch and ongoing operations.
• Partner with leadership on pharmacy licensing, permitting, Florida Board of Pharmacy readiness, inspections, physical space requirements, technology selection, workflow design, staffing models, implementation timelines, and other launch requirements.
• Provide clinical and operational oversight of the in-office dispensing (IOD) / medically integrated dispensing (MID) program, serving as the designated supervising pharmacist for the practice's in-house specialty pharmacy in accordance with Florida Board of Pharmacy requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing the in-house pharmacy, including dispensing, inventory, storage, recordkeeping, quality assurance, medication and patient safety, recalls, returns, disposal, temperature excursions and error reporting.
• Evaluate and recommend pharmacy dispensing software, inventory management systems, wholesaler relationships, specialty drug distributors, and other pharmacy technology and vendor solutions.
• Ensure accurate dispensing, labeling, and patient counseling for self-administered specialty and oral medications in compliance with applicable USP standards and state and federal regulations.
• Evaluate whether specialty and infusion drugs are best dispensed and billed through the medical (buy-and-bill) or pharmacy benefit, and transition appropriate therapies to the pharmacy benefit where clinically appropriate and financially advantageous.
• Initiate, oversee, and troubleshoot prior authorizations and benefits investigations for specialty medications, coordinating closely with the Prior Authorization team.
• Oversee specialty drug procurement, inventory management, and cold-chain and storage integrity to ensure availability while minimizing waste and carrying cost.
• Coordinate manufacturer copay assistance, foundation support, and patient assistance programs to reduce patient out-of-pocket cost and support adherence.
• Monitor the biosimilar landscape for the practice's infusion and biologic drugs and provide evidence-based recommendations on product selection, considering clinical equivalence, interchangeability, patient stability, and reimbursement and margin.
• Support specialty pharmacy payer network access and accreditation efforts (e.g., URAC / ACHC) as the program matures.
• Meet with patients initiating infusion or biologic therapy to educate them on the treatment process, expected effects, potential adverse reactions, and adherence expectations.
• Provide Chronic Care Management (CCM), Principal Care Management (PCM), and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) services for eligible patients, furnished as clinical staff under physician supervision.
• Conduct medication reconciliation and identify potential drug interactions, contraindications, and monitoring requirements for patients on complex therapeutic regimens.
• Serve as a clinical resource to physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff regarding specialty medication therapy, dosing, and drug safety.
• Support the clinical research program, including investigational drug handling, storage, and protocol adherence in coordination with the research team.
• Document all clinical services and dispensing activities accurately and in real time in the electronic medical record (NextGen) and pharmacy dispensing systems.
• Maintain accurate records to support billing for CCM, PCM, RTM, and dispensing under applicable pathways and under the supervising physician where required.
• Maintain compliance with Florida Board of Pharmacy regulations, DSCSA, applicable USP standards, HIPAA, OSHA, and all SAC policies and procedures.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, formulary review, and provider meetings, and maintain active licensure, board certification, and required continuing education.

Other duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. They may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Current, active Pharmacist license in the State of Florida (required)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an ACPE-accredited program (Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy considered with relevant experience)
• Eligible to serve as the designated pharmacist, pharmacist in charge, other designated pharmacist of record as applicable to Sarasota Arthritis Center’s pharmacy permit and operating model for an in-house dispensing operation under Florida Board of Pharmacy requirements; Florida Consultant Pharmacist license preferred or willingness to obtain
• Minimum of 2–3 years of specialty pharmacy, medically integrated dispensing, or in-office dispensing experience strongly preferred
• Experience launching, expanding, or managing a physician-owned, health-system, or medically integrated specialty pharmacy strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing pharmacy policies, procedures, and SOPs and overseeing dispensing operations
• Strong working knowledge of buy-and-bill versus pharmacy-benefit economics, PBM dynamics, prior authorization, and specialty drug distribution
• Experience managing or collaborating with wholesalers, distributors, PBMs, payers, manufacturers, and pharmacy technology vendors preferred.
• Familiarity with specialty pharmacy accreditation (URAC / ACHC), USP standards, and DSCSA preferred
• Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) or relevant specialty certification preferred
• Working knowledge of biologics, biosimilars, and specialty medication management; rheumatology experience preferred.
• Familiarity with CCM, PCM, and RTM services and associated documentation requirements preferred
• Proficiency in EMR systems (NextGen preferred) and pharmacy dispensing software
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to take ownership, identify opportunities, solve problems, and build new programs and processes from the ground up.
• Excellent communication, clinical judgment, leadership, and organizational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced specialty practice

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance for employees
• 401(k) with company match and employer-funded profit sharing
• Paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
• A collaborative, team-oriented culture with strong support and a shared commitment to exceptional patient care

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sarasota Arthritis Centers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.