Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Oncology Drug Information Specialist utilizes expertise gained through post-graduate education, training and experience to function as an external resource and expert practitioner, educator and consultant for the majority of time, responding to inquiries from health care professionals throughout the Province of British Columbia.  In addition, the Oncology Drug Information Specialist develops oncology information resources and facilitating the effective distribution of oncology drug information throughout the Province to both health care professionals and oncology patients.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.Provides consultative services external to the Agency to own and other disciplines including Pharmacists, Physicians and Nurses on diverse and complex oncology drug issues to address concerns and resolve problems associated with pharmaceutical care.

2.Develops drug protocols for review and discussion with Tumour Group Committee members.  Reviews and finalizes information for inclusion in documentation such as the Cancer Drug Manual, Parenteral Drug Therapy Monographs, Cancer Management Manual and Benefit Drug list that is distributed throughout the Province and accessed nationally and internationally. Responds to inquiries from both internal and external users.  Completes medical literature searches, critically evaluating and interpreting research data, seeking and receiving interdisciplinary input and communicating information throughout the Province.

3.Provides consultative services external to the Agency to patients by providing expert advice, education and consultation on oncology drug information and pharmaceutical care.

4.Develops standards associated with quality assurance programs through methods such as development of Systemic Therapy policies, ongoing review of treatment protocols and drug information resources.

5.Develops course curriculum in the area of Oncology for the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences; participates as an instructor for the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

6.Teaches and/or trains pharmacists, both internal and external to the Agency and other members of the interdisciplinary team in oncology drug information through methods such as preparing education materials and presenting formal teaching sessions.

7.Teaches pharmacy students including Pharm.D. , Masters and PhD. Students in oncology drug information through methods such as preparing education materials, presenting teaching sessions and participating in the preceptorship of undergraduate pharmacy students, graduate students and pharmacy residents on rotation.

8.Develops research proposals and conducts approved research projects in collaboration with relevant personnel through methods such as initiating and writing research proposals, acting as Principal Investigator, developing and monitoring budgets, collecting data, integrating and analyzing data, summarizing information and disseminating research findings and presenting research findings.  Publishes articles in professional journals relating to oncology drug information.

9.Facilitates and promotes research in oncology drug information through methods such as applying a research approach to problem solving, promoting staff awareness and involvement in research activities, reviewing relevant research literature/resources, identifying issues/practices which require research, selecting outcome measures and promoting the use of research findings in clinical practice.

10.Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

•Post-graduate Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from an accredited university.
•Completion of a Hospital Residency Program.
•Current licensure with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia.
•Four (4) years of recent related experience including experience in oncology and/or hematology drug information or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

•Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment including the ability to use computerized pharmacy and drug information systems and familiarity with other software applications, for example WORD and Excel.
•Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with all members and levels of the Agency’s health care team, patients, family members, members of the public and external health care professionals.
•Demonstrated ability to teach.
•Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
•Demonstrated ability to organize work, establish priorities and be self-directed.
•Demonstrated knowledge of quality improvement principles.
•Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.