Pharmacist, Clinician Engagement & Policy Development

At Ontario Health, we are committed to developing a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province. Our vision is that together, we will be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences and value. How we work together is reflected through our five values: integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility and care.

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage from your first day

• a health care spending account

• a premium defined benefit pension plan

• three personal days and two float days annually

• three weeks' vacation to start (for individual contributors), increasing to four weeks after two years

• career development opportunities

• a collaborative values-based team culture

• a wellness program

• a hybrid working model

• participation in Communities of Inclusion

Want to make a difference in your career? Consider this opportunity.

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario's) Provincial Drug Reimbursement Programs (PDRP) Division is responsible for the administrative management of the New Drug Funding Program, Evidence-Building Program, High-Cost Therapy Funding Program, Case-by-Case Review Program, as well as other specialty reimbursement programs, on behalf of the Ministry of Health. PDRP provides decision support to the Ministry of Health on policy and program issues, and throughout the pan-Canadian cancer drug review, negotiation, and implementation processes. PDRP also provides secretariat function to the Ministry's provincial expert committee as well Ontario Health's 9 different disease site Drug Advisory Committees.

Here is what you will be doing:

Reporting to the Manager and working with PDRP's Drug Advisory Committees, the Pharmacist will support PDRP's roles as the organizational lead on cancer drug funding issues, as well as its operational responsibilities in delivering reimbursement programs.

The ideal candidate will be a pharmacist with direct cancer system clinical experience along with an understanding of Ontario's cancer drug reimbursement system and pan-Canadian review processes. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience with medical writing and/or policy development, as well as stakeholder consultation and issues management.

Expertise and Advice

• Provide subject matter expertise and advice on drug funding or policy issues.

• Develops and maintains a knowledge base of scientific and technical information to support drug review and/or implementation-related activities

• Contributes to knowledge transfer and exchange activities within and outside the team

Policy/Program Development

• Supports the development of drug submissions or proposals for pan-Canadian or provincial review

• Supports the development of decision notes and communication materials. Ensures technical accuracy of committee notes, briefing material, correspondence, and other documentation.

Program/Project Operational Support

• Consult clinical experts to provide advice on clinical practice and market share trends in order to assist with the development of economic models, operational forecasting, and drug shortage management

• Provide issues management support, cross-coverage support which may include supporting the operations of PDRP's cancer drug programs, and other duties as assigned

Stakeholder Relationship and Committees

• Provides secretariat support to the drug advisory committees. When applicable, may provide support to the provincial expert committee (Ontario Steering Committee for Cancer Drugs)

• Engages various stakeholders (including clinicians, ministry or pan-Canadian representatives, other Ontario Health programs, manufacturers, hospitals, administrators) to address drug funding or policy issues

Here is what you will need to be successful:

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Pharmacy and registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

• Completion of postgraduate training such as a pharmacy residency would be an asset.

• 3 years of experience in oncology, either as a clinical pharmacist or in drug benefit management, is preferred.

• Experience with expert or advisory committee work, which may include providing secretariat function, recruitment, training.

• Experience in conducting literature searches and jurisdictional scans to inform the development of policy proposals, briefing notes and related documents.

• Experience in stakeholder (including clinician, Ministry, and/or pan-Canadian) engagement, consultation, negotiation, and/or mediation.

• Experience with issues management, including the preparation of briefing notes and other communication material.

• Experience with individual case review assessments, which may include briefings to management and/or Ministry

• Experience working in high-stress, fast paced environments is preferred.

• Experience within the Ministry of Health or pharmaceutical industry would be an asset.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent clinical pharmacy skills, with an emphasis in oncology, is required.

• An understanding of, and experience with the application of, evidence-informed practice is required. Experience in critical appraisal and literature review is an asset.

• An understanding of Ontario public drug reimbursement programs and knowledge of public healthcare systems is essential.

• A detailed understanding of the Canadian drug funding and decision-making process for oncology therapeutics is preferred.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging different stakeholders. Demonstrated experience in medical writing and/or policy development.

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.

• Ability to pivot quickly and be responsive to the ever-changing needs of the health care system to support funding requests for patients.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and also effectively in a team environment.

• An understanding of epidemiology or health economics would be an asset

• French language proficiency would be an asset.

• Highly productive and motivated, capable of high quality output and able to multitask and prioritize assignments to meet timelines and manage competing priorities.

• Self-directed, with enthusiasm, initiative and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively to achieve deadlines.

• Creative and forward thinking, with a desire to learn and take on new opportunities.

• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment and exercise high caliber judgment.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic fast-paced environment with a degree of uncertainty or ambiguity.

• Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and be committed to organizational health, culture, and values.

• Excellent attention to detail.

Location: Ontario (currently hybrid; subject to change)

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