Beamsville Medical Centre Family Health Team Pharmacist

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:
The position of Pharmacist is established to provide pharmacological expertise to all members of the Family Health Team (FHT) and its patients. The Pharmacist will review patients’ charts to identify, prevent, and develop strategies to resolve any potential pharmaceutical related problems. The Pharmacist will coordinate with primary care providers (PCP) and allied health professional (AHP) their recommendations regarding assessments and proposed strategies in their chart. The Pharmacist will meet with patients in person or virtually to discuss any changes to improve medication use.

Specific Responsibilities:
Patient Education and Medication Review: The Pharmacist will provide education regarding medication use that relates to optimal dose timing, how it should be taken, probable side effects, potential drug interactions, and cost implications. Education will be provided following referrals from the patient’s PCP for patients identified as having trouble with medication compliance, are on multiple medications that may be problematic, or have multi-system disease or advanced age that requires a more in-depth assessment. This medication review would result in a note to the PCP addressing a prioritized set of recommendations aiming at optimizing medication use and best practice outcomes where applicable.

Medication Management in Chronic Disease: The Pharmacist will collaborate with the patient, their PCP, and the dietitian to improve glycemic control of patients with diabetes. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, insulin/GLP1-RA/CGM starts, insulin dose titration through close glucose monitoring, assistance with medication samples and financial assistance programs, dose adjustments of medications based on renal impairment, hypoglycemia recognition and treatment, sick day management of medications, and appropriate administration and use of medications. The pharmacist will be expected to provide education and counselling around oral iron supplements for patients with iron deficiency and facilitating the process of iron infusion referrals. The Pharmacist will also be involved in the Lifestyle Management Program at the clinic in collaboration with the FHT dietitian and social worker, with a focus on medications for weight management.

In-House Consultative and Educational Resource to Primary Care Providers: The Pharmacist is expected to research and answer drug information questions from PCP and share their expertise on a timely basis. In addition, the Pharmacist will keep the PCP updated on guidelines and evidence-based changes in the use of current medications and new medications on the market, as well as advising on drug discontinuations, shortages, and other matters relating to drug availability.

Liaison with Outside Providers: The Pharmacist will communicate with community pharmacists to facilitate continuity and obtain information on behalf of PCP who have questions about patients’ medications.

Primary Mental Health Care: The Pharmacist will identify and make recommendations for patients who can benefit from improved use of psychiatric medications to improve mental health conditions ranging from depression/anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc. Tasks may include devising a cross-tapering plan from one medication to another, suggesting alternative medications to avoid potential drug interactions, dosing recommendations, etc.

Memory Tests: Patients will be referred to the Pharmacist for a combination of memory tests such as the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam), and the Trail Making Test Parts A and B, which the pharmacist will then administer to the patient. The Pharmacist will document results in the patient’s chart and notify the PCP.

Smoking Cessation: The BMCHFT is a participating partner of the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Program to help patients quit smoking through nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The Pharmacist will:
• Follow the policies and procedures of the STOP program and gather information about the patient’s smoking history
• Provide education about the appropriate dose and usage of the various NRT products offered through the program
• Provide counselling (e.g. coping mechanisms, strategies to quit long-term, etc.) to help patients on their quit journey, and follow-up with patients on a regular basis to provide ongoing support

Charting/Documentation: The Pharmacist will be responsible for maintaining accurate and thorough documentation of all encounters consistent with PCP in the patient’s chart within the electronic medical record (EMR).

Hours and Venue:
The Pharmacist will work part-time time (20 hours/week) during regular office hours. The Pharmacist will work in the Beamsville Medical Centre.

Accountability and Freedom to Act:
The incumbent would be governed by the licensing body for Pharmacists in Ontario. The incumbent would require appropriate liability insurance from the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association. The incumbent would also need to practice in accordance with the policies, goals and objectives of the Family Health Team.

Key Relationships:
The Pharmacist will need to have a good working relationship with all members of the FHT including clients, office staff, clinical staff, AHP’s and the PCP. Clients will be patients of the FHT and there will be important relationships with families, other caregivers, community pharmacists, as well as staff at local and regional community service providers.

Performance Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:

• Workload – the number of clients seen relative to established standards.
• Clinical Outcomes – the degree to which strategies to help resolve drug related issues, manage chronic diseases with medications, or prevent illness are well thought out, carried out and achieved.
• Client Satisfaction – either assessed informally or directly.
• Documentation – the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and competence reflected in record keeping.
• Relationships – the level of cooperation and collaboration with clients and families, office staff, clinical staff, AHP’s, and PCP within the FHT.

Qualifications:
The candidate must be a licensed pharmacist in Ontario in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists and must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence and inter-personal skills. Previous experience in primary care or family health team setting and working with an EMR system are assets, along with any certifications.