Pharmacy Policy Consultant

Who We Are

Founded in 1891, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). The College is a BC health regulatory body and is a vital link in the chain of trust between patients, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians; Its job is to protect the health and safety of the public by licensing and regulating pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and the pharmacies where they practice. The College is responsible for making sure every pharmacist and pharmacy technician in BC is fully qualified and able to provide the public with safe and ethical pharmacy care.

Achieving Excellence Canada’s Gold Certification further establishes the College as a modern, relevant, and progressive organization, which can continue to fulfill its duty to protect the public within an ever-changing provincial health landscape. The College believes in integrity, transparency, and excellence. As part of our team, you can expect to be treated professionally and with respect. We strive to work hard as a team to succeed, while supporting our staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment

The College is committed to helping our health system become culturally safe and free from Indigenous-specific racism. As recognized in our updated Strategic Plan and the In Plain Sight report, and acknowledged as a gap in our staff complement at the College, we are very interested in recruiting Indigenous individuals and encourage their applications.

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The College seeks to attract, retain, and develop a qualified, capable, and diverse workforce that that is reflective of all our communities. We are committed to employment equity by ensuring all human resource practices comply with the provisions of the Human Rights Code, address unintentional bias and are impartial, fair, and honest. The College also fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment where ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion learning and training are offered; cultural and social awareness are provided; and religious observances are acknowledged.

About the Role

Based in Vancouver, the College is seeking to hire a registered Pharmacist with over 3 years experience to take on a 12-months temporary term as Pharmacy Policy Consultant. We are looking for a practicing pharmacist that has exceptional communication and analytical skills, with demonstrated proficiency in researching and summarizing complex information to best inform pharmacy regulation and standards for British Columbians. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Legislation, this position is based in Vancouver and is part of the policy team. The Pharmacy Policy Consultant provides expertise to internal and external partners on pharmacy practice, regulation and standards. The ideal candidate will be responsible for planning, developing, and evaluating policy documents related to the practice standards of pharmacy professionals and provincial health care system, as well as other bylaws. This position will work in a rapidly evolving policy and regulatory environment and the successful candidate will be expected to hit the ground running.

Essential Duties

• Provides subject matter expertise and guidance to the Director and, when required, to College management and staff and relevant partners on pharmacy practice, regulation, and standards.

• Researches, plans, develops, and evaluates policy documents to ensure standards of practice and other practice-specific bylaws and policies reflect best practice.

• Leads and/or supports the development of policies and bylaws, in particular the standards of practice, throughout all stages of the policy and legislation development process.

• Prepares and contributes to the development of a range of complex practice-specific related documentation, including policies, briefing notes and other briefing materials, presentations, and legislation.

• Supports other team members in the practice-related aspects of development and maintenance of policy and legislative frameworks and tools.

• Manages practice-related projects that may identify and inform future legislative operational plans.

• Provides input on the practice-related aspects of proposed policies, regulations and legislation from other regulatory bodies, government, and other organizations to ensure alignment, flags issues, and brings forward concerns in relation to pharmacy practice.

• Performs research and analysis on complex pharmacy practice matters that have relevance provincially as well as inter-provincially and/or that relate to federal and international policies, programs, and legislation.

• Supports the production of complex briefing materials for the Legislation Review Committee (LRC), the Prescribing and Drug Administration Committee (PDAC), other committees, and the Board, as needed.

• Collaborates with team members and other College departments on policy and bylaw projects and supports the communication and dissemination of changes to partners.

• Stays current and informed on emerging pharmacy practice-related issues.

• Leads and/or supports internal and external consultation relating to pharmacy practice and pharmacy regulation and policy and ensures that it is timely, relevant, and meaningful.

• Builds effective relationships and linkages with College staff as well as with registrants.

• Facilitates learning opportunities for College staff and pharmacy students.

• Provides leadership, assistance, and support to College management, as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge

• Registered pharmacist; a member of good standing of the related professional body

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Relevant post secondary education in a policy related field (e.g., political science, public administration, health administration, law) is an asset

• Experience with regulatory or public policy development is an asset

• Anti-racism and/or diversity, equity and inclusion training or equivalent self-directed training

• Indigenous Cultural Safety training or equivalent self-directed training

• Extensive knowledge of provincial and/or federal legislation relative to pharmacy practice

• Broad knowledge of the provincial health care system

• Exceptional written communication skills

• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills, and demonstrated proficiency in summarizing complex information

• Effective verbal communication skills, including demonstrated proficiency in delivering presentations to, and sharing research findings with partners

• Strong detail orientation and drive for accuracy

• Research skills, including capacity to understand regulatory environments

• Knowledge of how to apply appropriate techniques to facilitate effective change management

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with all partners

• Ability to maintain tact when dealing with diverse groups of people with different personalities

• Ability to exercise good judgement in protecting confidential information

• Ability to use a commonsense approach and demonstrate sound judgement

• Ability to organize work duties, set priorities and deliver results under pressure

• Commitment to continual learning and a drive for intellectual curiosity to innovate and improve

• Intermediate computer skills; proficient in Microsoft 365 products and Microsoft Teams

Salary & Benefits

The compensation for this position is $90,000 to $109,000 annually based on a 35-hour work week. The starting salary will be determined based on factors such as the successful candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, experience; salaries of other employees in the same salary range; market conditions and other relevant factors.

The College provides a competitive compensation; an attractive paid-time off package that gives annual vacation, personal days, and additional days off during the year-end office closure; and extended benefits that include healthcare a defined benefit plan with the Municipal Pension Plan. We have a flexible work environment that includes a hybrid work model with an assigned schedule. We offer opportunities for personal and professional growth; provide flexibility; strive for work-life balance; and provide an excellent and dynamic work environment where innovation, teamwork and creativity are highly valued.

How to Apply

The College offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities to take part in the selection process. Please let us know if an accommodation is required when you are contacted about an interview and/or assessment. All information in relation to accommodation is kept confidential.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@bcpharmacists.org.This opportunity will remain posted until filled; however, priority consideration will be given to those who apply by the deadline. References, education and professional credential verifications, and a criminal record check may be required for all final candidates.

Application deadline: May 27, 2024

*Please note that resumes will not be kept on file and only successful candidates will be contacted.