Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain / MUE - Pharmacy Administration

Fraser Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health authority in Metro Vancouver seeks a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to manage the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide clinical expertise. Responsibilities include collaborating with purchasing committees, conducting evaluations of medication use, and developing therapeutic standards. The ideal candidate will be a registered Pharmacist with residency training and experience in hospital pharmacy operations. This position emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration across healthcare teams.

Qualifications

• Must have current registration as a Pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia.
• Completion of Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program required.
• Experience in medication use processes and determining therapeutic alternatives preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and implement procurement and logistics for pharmaceutical products.
• Provide clinical expertise during contract awards and tender development.
• Research practices and evaluate medication use data.

Skills

Communication skills

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation

Organizational skills

Knowledge of clinical practice

Project management

Education

Current registration as a Pharmacist

Certificate from Hospital Pharmacy Residency

Job description

Overview

Detailed Overview

In collaboration with the Director, Pharmacy Services and the Pharmacy Leadership and Management Teams, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain / MUE has a major role in planning, implementation and management of the clinical aspects of the pharmaceutical supply chain for Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services. Develops standards associated with quality and risk management for the LMPS pharmaceutical supply chain and provides clinical expertise to staff, students and other multidisciplinary team members. Participates as a member of the LMPS Pharmaceutical Purchasing Committee. Provides clinical expertise during the contract awards process to ensure the availability of safe and effective therapeutic choices and participates in the development of therapeutic tenders as required by the BCHA Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee. Serves as a contact person for pharmaceutical group purchasing organizations, HSSBC and pharmaceutical industry representatives. Monitors pharmaceutical supply chain issues and develops clinical strategies to manage therapies during disruptions. Develops alternate drug therapy memoranda, maintains a database of therapeutic alternatives, and communicates the need for implementation of alternatives during supply chain disruptions; oversees distribution to enable consistency in the dissemination of pertinent information. Provides support for the development of non-sterile compounded products. Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature and consults with clinical experts and pharmacy services. In addition the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Supply Chain / MUE participates in the Medication Use Evaluation Program and regional change initiatives; identifies target areas of medication use for further evaluation, prepares reports on activities, develops criteria and standards for evaluation, and implements changes to the medication use evaluation program as needed. Monitors drug utilization data records for reporting and analysis; identifies and resolves discrepancies.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Manager, Pharmaceutical Purchasing & Inventory Management, plans and implements changes in the procurement, logistics management and control of pharmaceutical products used within the LMPS including reviews of therapeutic cost effectiveness through optimization of purchasing contracts.
• Develops standards associated with quality and risk management for the LMPS pharmaceutical supply chain and provides clinical expertise to staff, students and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Liaises with internal and external health care professionals and organizations including the lower mainland Health Authorities, provincial and local Pharmacy & Therapeutic Committees, Pharmaceutical Group Purchasing Organizations and HSSBC regarding formulary changes to ensure safe and effective therapeutic decisions are made.
• Assesses the clinical impact of formulary changes to pharmaceutical purchasing and inventory management and provides recommendations for the safe and effective implementation of those changes.
• Participates as a member of the LMPS Pharmaceutical Purchasing Committee.
• Provides clinical expertise during the contract awards process to ensure the availability of safe and effective therapeutic choices and participates in the development of therapeutic tenders as required by the BCHA Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee.
• Serves as a contact person for pharmaceutical group purchasing organizations, HSSBC and pharmaceutical industry representatives.
• Monitors pharmaceutical supply chain issues and develops clinical strategies to manage therapies during disruptions.
• Provides recommendations for therapeutic alternatives during pharmaceutical supply chain disruptions including compounded sterile and non-sterile products.
• Provides clinical guidance to the pharmaceutical purchasing and inventory management team regarding substituting forms and/or strengths of drugs resulting from supply chain disruptions in order to enable successful implementation of initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of drug care.
• Develops alternate drug therapy memoranda, maintains a database of therapeutic alternatives and communicates the need for implementation of alternatives during supply chain disruptions; oversees distribution to enable consistency in the dissemination of pertinent information.
• Maintains current knowledge of the factors affecting the pharmaceutical supply chain including those issues that may give rise to the need for changes in therapies.
• Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy operations and reviews current policies, utilization patterns and supply chain issues.
• Acts as a clinical resource for the LMPS for drug categories such as drugs available through the Special Access Program and hazardous drugs; provides guidance on related procedures.
• Provides support and expertise in other related drug distribution initiatives where integration with and/or impact on pharmaceutical purchasing and supply chain is possible.
• Plans, implements and regularly assesses site-based Medication Use Evaluation Programs and regional change initiatives; collaborates with project team members, medical and nursing staff and provides leadership and guidance to pharmacy staff to enable successful implementation of initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of drug care.
• Identifies target areas of medication use for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use. Develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the medication use evaluation program as needed to accurately assess drug usage patterns.
• Monitors drug use data records for reporting and analysis as required for various needs such as operational, budgetary, surveillance and research utilizing computerized files, databases and spreadsheet software; identifies and resolves discrepancies.
• Develops and implements medication use policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents.
• Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy operations and reviews current policies, utilization patterns and supply chain issues.
• Provides support the pharmacy residency program through training during residency rotations and/or being a residency project preceptor.
• Represents LMPS on multidisciplinary care committees and at external events such as conferences and regional planning groups relative to the designated specialty area.
• Participates in the development of clinical pathways and therapeutic protocols and educates physicians on formulary decisions and related Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee recommendations.
• Participates in quality improvement activities through methods such as reviewing current practices, performing quality assurance audits, identifying actual or potential problems and recommending changes.
• Participates in staff meetings, committees and other programs as required; identifies opportunities to improve processes and/or procedures to enable safe and efficient operations and refers to supervisor and/or others.
• Maintains a variety of records; prepares reports on a variety of activities within the discipline, gathers and records information into approved formats, accounts for variances, sets up and updates computerized files and spreadsheets using word-processing and spreadsheet software.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Current registration as a Pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. Certificate of completion of year 1 and year 2 of a Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program accredited by the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) supplemented by two years\' recent, relevant hospital pharmacy experience including one year\'s pharmacy experience in both medication use process and in determining therapeutic alternatives or an equivalent combination of education, training and related experience.
• Skills and Abilities: Broad knowledge of organizational policies, procedures and standards of care. Knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice. Knowledge of pharmacoeconomic evaluation and medication use evaluation. Knowledge of research processes and methodology. Knowledge of hospital and pharmacy information systems. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including the ability to make presentations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other health practitioners, as well as patients, family members and the public. Ability to plan, implement, organize, problem-solve and manage projects. Ability to coach, mentor, participate, teach and facilitate learning within a multidisciplinary setting. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlakakapux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 48,+ staff, medical staff and volunteers. We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. Fraser Healths hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner. Together, we are the heart of health care.

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