Clinical Pharmacist- Centre of Arthritis Excellence CArE (Newmarket)

Job Description:

The Pharmacist is an integral member of the transdisciplinary CArE team, collaborating with other healthcare professionals for best practice in arthritis care.

The Pharmacist’s role is to support the intake and triage of referrals, support the assessment of the patient’s disease status and analysis of finding for presentation to the team and rheumatologists in a clinic setting.

The CArE Pharmacist will focus on assisting patients with arthritis on medication management, self-management skill development and address related decision-making regarding medication therapy, both on an individual basis and within the rheumatology clinics and education classes.

Medication education is provided in a classroom format (which may include virtual modalities) in the areas of Inflammatory Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Osteoporosis.

Individual and group teaching is provided for coaching in subcutaneous self-injection of medications. The Pharmacist will share their knowledge of medication information /consultation with patients, caregivers and other healthcare providers working in CArE to enhance patient care plans and improve outcomes.

Education:

• B. Sc Pharmacy or equivalent
• Licensed to practice by the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP)and a member in good standing
• Completion of an OCP recognized injection training program
• Post-graduate education in chronic disease self-management (preferred)

Experience:

• Previous experience in arthritis care and/or chronic disease management
• Experience in a transdisciplinary model of practice
• Experience in patient education and self-management of chronic disease
• Experience in ambulatory healthcare settings and/or primary care team setting
• Professional Affiliations/Memberships (preferred)
• Arthritis Health Professions Association
• Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
• Canadian Pharmacists Association or Ontario Pharmacists Association

Additional Skills/Abilities:

• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Ability to work within a transdisciplinary healthcare team to meet the needs of CArE patients through individual and group assessment/review
• Strive to meet team professional goals ahead of individual professional goals
• Ability to identify community resources to support the needs of CArE patients
• Commitment to support the mandate of the CArE Board of Directors and the organization’s Strategic Plan

Individual Leadership/Influencing

• Leadership qualities to champion various CArE projects, programs, research and quality improvement initiatives
• Be prepared to contribute professionally on CArE initiatives through posters, publications, and presentations to professional groups and external partners

Customer Service

• Committed to meet the needs of CArE patients, ensuring the patient identifies and acknowledges their personal treatment goals
• Work with other healthcare professionals ensuring ongoing treatment and follow-up/monitoring of care.
• Assist patients to secure funding support for medication access (e.g., Trillium, Special Authorization application, patient support programs)

Analysis/Problem Assessment/Communication

• Using relational skills effectively, gathering information in a non-confrontational manner, following logical sequence in discussion, focusing on the needs of the patient. 
• Listen and empathize, using a patient centred approach to care
• Ability to assess/confirm the patient’s understanding of the risk versus benefit process and their beliefs and concerns about using medications, as well as monitoring plan to optimize medication treatment and improve outcomes
• Support the development of patient self-management skills and strategies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide medication education to CArE patients individually or in a group setting
• Conduct best possible medication histories/records
• Provide medication consultation services to other members of the CArE team, including rheumatologists, primary care providers, pharmacists on other teams or in the community.
• Provide virtual consultations, via telephone or video, to patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers
• Document using ACCURO in accordance with CArE electronic medical record documentation standards.
• Report daily workload statistics, both direct and non-patient care activities, time and volume
• Provide, upon request, medication presentations and self-management knowledge sharing to patient groups in the community, professional groups and external partners
• Precept students, PharmD Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience program and/or other healthcare disciplines
• Mentor and coach new team members
• Maintain a selection of patient information materials related to CArE
• Order and maintain the medications/administration supplies
• Protect patient confidentiality and privacy (PHIPA)
• Play an active role in the achievement of CArE Strategic Plan deliverables

ACCOUNTABILITY

• CArE Executive Director