Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Working under the direction of the Coordinator, Provincial Pharmacy Information Systems, the Pharmacy Systems Application Support Technician provides technical support for the regional Cancer Centres’ pharmacy computer systems, the On-line System for Cancer Drugs and Reimbursement (OSCAR), the Compassionate Access Program (CAP), the Communities Oncology Network Referral System (CONRef), the Provincial Pharmacy and the Systemic Therapy Program by analyzing and diagnosing problems and formulating solutions requiring considerable knowledge of both the computing and pharmacy environments. These include implementation and maintenance of optimal pharmacy managed computer systems as well as application troubleshooting, technical support for upgrades and enhancements, providing functionality training and providing education. The Pharmacy systems Application Support Technician will be required to maintain the ongoing function of these systems and test hardware and software as necessary. In addition they may be required to fulfil the direct patient care responsibilities of a registered Pharmacy Technician.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Enrols new users in OSCAR, CAP and CONRef, maintains security within the applications by determining the authority and level of access, ensuring password functionality, and analyzing access logs. Modifies and deactivates users as appropriate..

2.    Responds to OSCAR, CAP and CONRef end user system and communication problems; analyzes and diagnoses issues and formulates solutions.  Documents resolutions and triages problems as required.

3.    Maintains OSCAR, CAP and CONRef databases by removing erroneous information uploaded by the end user.
4.    Reviews OSCAR invoices for financial and clinical accuracy and appropriate use of BCCA protocol codes.  Performs quarterly audits of OSCAR claims for clinical appropriateness, seeking supervision from a pharmacist as necessary.

5.    Maintains OSCAR, CAP and CONRef database tables by adding, removing and updating drugs and/or protocols based on the BCCA Benefit Drug List formulary and/or OSCAR adjudication rules.  

6.    Participates in the planning, development, testing and deployment of new functionality within the OSCAR, CAP and CONRef systems.

7.    Maintains system user and drug files associated with the BCCA regional cancer centre pharmacy systems, WinRX/PharmaNet and BCCA pharmacy inventory systems.  Performs duties such as creating, updating and deleting drug masters, order masters and order sets to support safe clinical care.  

8.    Provides routine maintenance to support BCCA pharmacy application functionality by monitoring system and network security, analyzing reported problems and identifying system failures and problems; applies corrective measures, formulates solutions and triages as required.

9.    Participates in the planning, testing and deployment of routine system upgrades and enhancements of BCCA pharmacy applications.

10.    Gathers information and participates in the planning and selection of new multi-centre pharmacy computer systems and Provincial Pharmacy systems that support the management of clinical and financial programs.  Installs, configures modifies and tests system, communication, network and workstation hardware and software.

11.    Prepares instructional manuals and provides orientation and training to users in the use of current and new pharmacy application systems.  

12.    Performs a variety of duties related to data quality, including monitoring the Pharmacy Data Warehouse, memory and error messages, performing quality analysis procedures, participating in the development of standardized reports and correcting data errors in the system, working with IMIT and/or the vendor as required.

13.    Working with the Provincial and Regional Pharmacy Professional Practice leaders, develops and maintains policies and procedures in relation to pharmacy standards of practice, inventory management and data management. Updates clinical information annually such as latex content of pharmaceutical supplies.

14.    In conjunction with the Coordinator, Provincial Pharmacy Information systems, represents BCCA within the Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), resolving inventory, drug contract management and drug and supply shortage issues. Provides data to the Professional Pharmacy Leadership regarding supplies on hand and contracted therapeutic alternatives. Supports the regional pharmacy assistants with purchasing responsibilities regarding shortages and when new products are brought into clinical practice.

15.    Supports the provision of accurate information from the pharmacy Data Warehouse for use in clinical decision making, and research projects.

16.    Provides the data required for the ongoing assessment of expenditures in the BCCA Life Support Budget, as well as monitoring of receipt of expected rebates. Contributes to the assessment of the ongoing budget status for the quarterly reports to the Ministry of Health.

17.    Supports the CAP process for Oncotype Dx testing and conducts routine audits of specific drug usage as required to ensure patient eligibility for funded treatments

18.    Provides support to Finance, regional pharmacies and CON centres regarding issues of Out of Province, Out of Country and self pay patients.

19.    Performs a variety of pharmacy technician functions related to the preparation and dispensing of medications, in accordance with the scope of practice of a registered pharmacy technician as outlined by the College of Pharmacists of BC.

20.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

Grade 12 and graduation from an accredited Pharmacy Technician program or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current practicing registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the College of Pharmacists of BC.

Skills and Abilities

•    Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and experience with pharmacy computer systems and other software applications.
•    Ability to organize work.
•    Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•    Ability to deal with others effectively.
•    Ability to operate related equipment.
•    Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.