Pharmacy Informatics can be defined as the use and integration of data, information, knowledge, technology and automation in the medication use process for the purpose of improving health outcomes. The discipline of the Pharmacy Informatics Specialist is found in the functions of the Pharmacy Informatics Specialist that works in a matrix role in the Departments of Pharmacy and Information Management/Clinical Informatics.
This unique joint program features a dynamic rotational model in which two pharmacists’ alternate roles every six months, one serving as a Clinical Pharmacist and the other as a Pharmacy Informatics Specialist. The goal of this model is to cultivate dual expertise in clinical pharmacy and informatics, build staff proficiency by integrating clinical pharmacy and informatics skills, and promote ongoing knowledge exchange between the two disciplines.
Job Profile
The Pharmacy Informatics Specialist, is a unique subset of Clinical Informatics that focuses on the use of information technology and drug information to optimize medication use and bridges professional practice in Pharmacy with those practicing in information management and technology while being accountable for maintaining, supporting and advancing Pharmacy computer system(s), its network and related interfaces. The primary focus of the job is on medication related data and knowledge which includes the acquisition, storage, analysis, use, etc., in the delivery of medication related/patient care and health outcomes within the context of the health system.
Main Responsibilities
Clinical Pharmacist Duties and Responsibilities
- To provide direct patient care in the management of drug therapy to achieve positive patient health outcomes, primarily for patients of inpatient unit or ambulatory clinic with coverage to other area as needed. Direct patient care focuses on review of medication orders; selection and assessment of patient´s requiring pharmaceutical care; identifying, resolving, and preventing drug related problems for a subset of patients; patient education; patient continuity of care; and the provision of drug information.
- To facilitate and promote accurate, safe, appropriate and cost-effective use and distribution of drugs throughout the hospital, including weekend, evening and occasional nights and/or on call rotations.
- To support and participate in educational and research programs sponsored by the pharmacy discipline or hospital.
- To participate in the development, revision, and implementation of standards, protocols, procedures, guidelines pertaining to drug therapy and pharmacy practice.
Leadership and System Support
- Provides leadership to ensure health information technology and applications support safe medication use and safe/effective patient care;
- Participates actively in relevant tactical planning, innovation and related initiatives with an Informatics, Information Management, Pharmacy and/or Clinical practice focus;
- Collaborates with other health technology and clinical leaders to ensure the medication related systems promote interoperability and transportability of clinical information while maintaining patient safety and confidentiality;
- Utilizes knowledge and expertise of the Pharmacy information system and related equipment to provide application maintenance/support for the system to ensure ongoing availability and management of Pharmacy transactions and medication related information, including:
- Executing computer upgrades for pharmacy application and hardware, within scope of authority;
- Solving interface and other computer issues, within scope of authority;
- Generating, troubleshooting and analyzing preset reports based on established routine or by requests;
- Performing application audits, following established protocol, etc.;
- Facilitates the implementation of computer related changes, including computer replacements, new Pharmacy application preparation and implementation, with scope of authority;
Clinical Process And Workflow Redesign
- Collaborates to assess clinical care and medication use systems for vulnerabilities to medication and other errors, to develop and implement medication and other error prevention strategies, etc.;
- Collaborates to assess and recommend workflow redesign that incorporates/leverage technology to enhance or enable best practice and the achievement of optimal patient outcomes, with an emphasis on medication therapy related outcomes;
- Builds liaisons and manages relationships between Clinicians, end users, systems/ICT or vendor professionals;
- Collaborates with clinical leaders, Clinicians and end users, e.g., Pharmacy PPL, Pharmacy Director, Medical Informatics Director, Nursing/Clinical Informatics Director/Nursing Director and systems/ICT or vendor professionals to enable safe, best practice and practice standards to be met through the design of clinical applications;
- Translates and communicates clinical informatics priorities and methods to promote understanding and cooperation among practicing Clinicians.
Provides Subject Matter Expertise
- Acts as a subject matter expert, engaging in planning, development, testing, maintenance, system/ enhancement and provides support for clinical applications with an emphasis on the medication use cycle and engages in the integration of clinical applications with other clinical or non-clinical applications;
- Interprets, clarifies and responds to requests for system content, design changes, upgrades, fix kits and enhancements, involving:
- Assessing the impact of request on all integrated systems, e.g., Soarian, Siemens Pharmacy, MAK, non-clinical systems, other technology and automation; assessing the impact on the workflow of Clinicians involved in the medication use cycle, especially on pharmacy workflow; planning, overseeing, performing, evaluating and testing at all levels through this process; handling requests for assistance on designated issues while ensuring timely resolution, within scope of authority;
- Acts as a key subject matter expert for relevant clinical applications and systems, e.g., integration with Siemens Pharmacy; MAK Siemens Pharmacy interface and Soarian CPOE Medication Orders involving:
- Integration of BN/GN, physical units, drug type between Soarian Clinicals and designated Pharmacy; development of Predefined Care Orders; design/build of specialty medications or order sets;
- Collaborates to develop and/or maintain databases related to medication management systems, involving:
- Assessing, planning and implementing Formulary changes into the drug database, order set and other aspects of clinical system; Synchronizing in related applications and new technology/ hardware, e.g., ADU or others;
Problem Solving And Support
- Collaborates to explore options for creative problem resolution, involving assesses integration impact, making recommendations for resolution and participating in executing a resolution plan, if applicable;
- Investigates and enables resolution of problems triaged from the Help Desk and other sources and collaborates with others when additional or different expertise is needed, anticipate problems triaged would focus more on medication use cycle;
- Participates in rotational on call for support of health systems and as required performs activities during evening, night and weekend hours;
System Education And Research
- Facilitates the ongoing education of designated clinical staff; develops, coordinates and implements refresher educational initiative to facilitate current and ongoing drug system learning for Clinicians and other relevant parties, to enable learning on the optimal use of Hospital systems, including fundamental concepts related to technology and clinical informatics for which Clinicians play a critical role in the effective use of the systems, e.g., electronic prescribing and ordering, clinical decision support, medication use/administration systems and informatics;
- Shares subject matter expertise with other Clinical Informatics Specialists, Pharmacy Students and Residents, as required;
Contributes to process improvement and continuous quality improvement initiatives
- Provides support for process improvements initiatives that centers on Pharmacy drug distribution and inventory management applications, Pharmacy Dispensing Robot and related areas, including:
- Collecting and providing first level analysis of ideas brought forth by Pharmacy staff;
- Developing and recommending solutions, within scope of authority, where appropriate, ensuring the timely escalation of requests, that are outside scope of authority;
- Participating in the testing and piloting of new tools and system changes/options, within scope of authority, while ensuring appropriate documenting;
- Participating in the implementation and evaluation process, as requested;
- Providing recommendations for system refinement and/or revision, as requested;
Performs cross functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested
- All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:
- Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies
- Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards.
- Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures
- Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Qualifications
- Completion of a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Pharmacy, or recognized equivalent required
- Registration as a Pharmacist with the Ontario College of Pharmacists is required
- Advanced degree in health Informatics is an asset;
- Three (3) to five 5 year’s experience utilizing relevant medication/information management systems, as a clinician user required;
- Two (2) or more years relevant technical experience with relevant medication/information management systems, e.g., as Developer and/or Content Specialist and/or Informatics Specialist required;
- Five (5) year’s related experience working as a Clinician performing medication management required, with experience as a Clinical Pharmacist in a teaching hospital setting is highly preferred;
- Experience in applying related tools with solid project management skills
- Intermediate knowledge of core clinical systems used in patient care and documentation, including ordering, results reporting, database management
- Advanced knowledge of core pharmacy operations and processes in support of the medication use cycle and the end to end medication use management
- Intermediate knowledge of integration/communication between pharmacy/medication system and other information systems
- Advanced knowledge of electronic medication order entry systems and their context for specifics of medication use cycle order entry system
- Knowledge of concepts of designing for patient safety and human factors considerations
- Advanced knowledge of and skill utilizing office computer applications, e.g., MS Office, MS Project, and Visio
- Exceptional leadership/team collaboration and change management skills
- Exceptional organization, prioritization and time management skills
- Excellent critical analysis, creative problem solving and decision making skills with the ability to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables
- Excellent communication, facilitation and inter-personal skills with a client service orientation
- Demonstrated commitment to the vision, mission and values of St. Michael’s Hospital and the principles of culture, discovery and continuous learning
- Solid project management skills with experience applying related tools required and experience working as a Project Manager an asset.
Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.
