Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Opioid Stewardship - Surrey, Canada - Fraser Health

Description

Detailed Overview

In partnership with the Coordinator, Clinical Pharmacy Services, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Opioid Stewardship implements and has a major role in the planning, development and assessment of the Opioid Stewardship Program (OSP).

Identifies target areas of opioid drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use and prepares reports on activities; develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the OSP to accurately assess opioid drug usage patterns; monitors drug-utilization data records for reporting and analysis as required and develops, implements and assesses OSP policies, procedures, standards and other supporting documents; researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature including initiating research and publishing articles in professional journals; consults with clinical experts and pharmacy services and acts as the external resource for the OSP; conducts opioid drug utilization evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or opioid stewardship decision making; develops communication materials relating to the OSP.

Responsibilities Plans, implements and regularly assesses site-based OSPs; collaborates with project team members, medical and nursing staff to provides leadership and guidance to pharmacy staff to enable the successful implementation of OSP initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of drug care.

Identifies target areas of opioid drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use; develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the OSP to accurately assess opioid drug usage patterns; prepares reports on activities and outcomes for further review to determine next steps; evaluates the health outcomes associated with implementation and ongoing activities of the OSP including its impact on opioid-related adverse outcomes.

Conducts assessments and provides clinical advice including providing real-time audit and feedback to OSP prescribers aimed specifically at improving the appropriateness of opioid use and prescribing opioids; provides information and/or interpretation on research-based findings and reports on outcomes.

Monitors opioid drug-utilization data records for reporting and analysis as required for various needs such as operational, budgetary, surveillance and research utilizing computerized files, databases and spreadsheet software; identifies and resolves discrepancies in information gathered and stored within the system.

Develops, assesses and implements OSP policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents to identify key targets and/or researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy operations and reviews current policies, utilization patterns and supply chain issues; initiates research and publishes article/findings in professional journals.

Conducts opioid medication use evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or opioid medication use management decision making; prepares drug technology assessments for applications for change in medication formulary status; presents recommendations to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee as needed; develops an annual report summarizing the OPS's progress towards achieving the agreed upon metrics including recommendations for future OSP targets and goals.

Provides teaching or training to paramedical, nursing, medical and support staff in the interpretation and application of published clinical literature to improve clinical practice outcomes, implement safer prescribing practices and support new change initiatives, drug policies or opioid guidelines; provides support to the Pharmacy Residency Program through training during residency rotations, being a residency project preceptor to PhD, Pharm.

D or Master's students and/or in the planning of curricula or practicums on opioid stewardship.

Participates in the development of clinical pathways and therapeutic protocols and educates physicians on formulary decisions and related Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee recommendations.

Develops communication materials relating to the LMPS OSP such as newsletters, departmental guidelines, procedures and prescriber pre-printed orders; oversees distribution to enable consistency in the dissemination of pertinent information including strategies for real-time audit and feedback, guidelines for direct consultation with the applicable prescriber and/or written notices placed strategically in the patient's current health record.

Organizes and/or participates in regular meetings and/or multi-disciplinary team rounds with applicable prescribers and healthcare team members for feedback on specific OSP interventions and education on OSP strategies; acts as the external resource person on opioid stewardship for LMPS.

Maintains expertise in applicable pharmacy areas by reviewing periodicals and associated literature and undertaking professional continuing education programs to ensure current best practices are effectively implemented and/or utilized; participates in quality improvement activities reviewing current practices, performing quality assurance audits including developing quality assurance standards, identifying actual or potential problems and recommending changes.

Participates in staff meetings, committees and other programs as required; identifies opportunities to improve processes and/or procedures and informs local policies to enable safe and efficient operations Maintains a variety of records; prepares reports on a variety of activities within the discipline, gathers and records information into approved formats, accounts for variances, sets up and updates computerized files and spreadsheets using word-processing and spreadsheet software.

Represents LMPS regarding OSP on multidisciplinary committees by attending meetings and providing input. Performs other related duties, as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Current registration as a Pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia.

Certificate of completion of year 1 and year 2 of a Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program accredited by the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) supplemented by two years' recent, relevant hospital pharmacy experience including one year's pharmacy experience in opioid stewardship or an equivalent combination of education, training and related experience.

Skills and Abilities Broad knowledge organizational policies, procedures and standards of care. Knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to opioids and opioid use. Knowledge of pharmacoeconomic evaluation. Knowledge of research processes and methodology. Knowledge of hospital and pharmacy information systems. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing including the ability to make presentations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other health practitioners, as well as patients, family members and the public.

Ability to plan, implement, organize, problem-solve and manage projects. Ability to coach, mentor, participate, teach and facilitate learning within a multidisciplinary setting. Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.