Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Medication Use Evaluation (MUE)

Are you looking for a place to showcase your clinical hospital pharmaceutical skills? 

We have the perfect Relief Full Time opportunity for a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist to join our team in Medical Use Evaluation at Surrey Memorial Hospital located in Surrey, BC. This relief role is available until May 2024 or until the return of incumbent. 

Who are we? 

We are a collaboration of four premier health employers Fraser Health, Provincial Health Services, Providence and Vancouver Coastal Health and provide an integrated approach to pharmaceutical care and service excellence patients, residents and clients committed to investing in your professional development in creating an environment where you can advance your career. 

As a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist you will work to provide the following services to our patients & colleagues: 

• Consult with internal and external health care professionals on the application of advanced level of theory to delivery of pharmaceutical care. 
• Provide clinical direction on complex cases using evidence based evaluations to evaluate drug therapies and patient medical histories. 
• Participate in patient education and discharge consultations and provide recommendations in the planning and treatment assessment policies and procedures 
• Assist in the development of drug therapy guidelines for individual disease conditions. 
• Identify and initiate clinical drug research. 

• Prepare items such as case studies and articles for submission to professional journals 
• Conduct pharmacological education or in-service sessions 
• Represent the department on multidisciplinary care committees, and at external events. 

Additionally, we would depend on your expertise to ensure that our pharmacists have the most current information as they do their important work of validating prescriptions and identifying safety concerns. 

Sound like this is for you? 

To join us you will need: 

• Current registration as a Pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. 

• Completion of an accredited Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program. 
• Post-graduate Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. 
• One (1) year's pharmacy experience in the designated specialty area. 

Our pharmacy team always aspires to improve and achieve the best possible care for our patients and improve their quality of life. 

Effective October 26th 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer. 

Here’s what we have for you: 

• A career that offers you the opportunity to work in a fast growing and exciting organization with professionals who are eminent in their respective fields. 

• Competitive salary package, including comprehensive health benefits coverage. 

We aim to build an environment where you love the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. From the financial advisor handling our health care resources, to the IT professional enabling life-saving data, to the nurse and physician on the front line of patient care, everyone plays a role in the care continuum. Together, we create great workplaces. 

Apply now to join our diverse team. 

One team, best pharmacy care, better lives. 

In collaboration with the Director, Pharmacy Services, the Coordinator, Medication Use Evaluation and the Pharmacy Leadership and Management Teams, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Medication Use Evaluation implements and has a major role in planning the Medication Use Management Program and regional change initiatives.

Identifies target areas of drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use. Prepares reports on activities and develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the drug use evaluation program as needed to accurately assess drug usage patterns. Monitors drug-utilization data records for reporting and analysis as required. Develops and implements medication use policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents. Researches current and best practices, conducts critical review of clinical literature, consults with clinical experts and pharmacy services. Conducts drug utilization evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or medication-use management decision making. Develops communication materials relating to the Medication Use Evaluation Program.

1. Plans, implements and regularly assesses site-based Medication Use Management Programs and regional change initiatives; collaborates with project team members, medical and nursing staff and provides leadership and guidance to pharmacy staff to enable successful implementation of initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of drug care.


2. Identifies target areas of drug usage for further evaluation by reviewing historical patterns of use. Develops criteria and standards for evaluation/reporting purposes and implements changes to the medication use evaluation program as needed to accurately assess drug usage patterns.


3. Monitors 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.


4. Develops and implements medication use policies, procedures, standards, and other supporting documents. 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.


5. Conducts medication use evaluations and/or reviews to support research initiatives or 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.


6. Develops communication materials relating to Pharmacy Services'' Medication Use Management Program such as newsletters, departmental guidelines, procedures and prescriber pre-printed orders; oversees distribution to enable consistency in the dissemination of pertinent information.


7. Acts as a contact for the Pharmacy department with pharmaceutical companies. Meets with pharmaceutical sales representatives as needed in order to review new products and discuss purchasing and/or supply issues. Identifies alternate drug products and/or other strategies to meet patient needs.


8. Maintains expertise in applicable pharmacy areas; reviews periodicals and associated literature, participates in professional continuing education programs to ensure current best practices are effectively implemented and/or utilized.


9. Educates staff in the interpretation and application of published clinical literature to improve clinical practice outcomes and support new change initiatives, drug policies or drug use guidelines. Provides support the pharmacy residency program through training during residency rotations and/or being a residency project preceptor.


10. Acts as a clinical pharmacy specialist for the Medication Utilization Evaluation Program through methods such as conducting assessments, providing clinical advice and making recommendations on appropriate drug use; provides information and/or interpretation on research-based findings and reports outcomes.


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


12. Represents Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services with respect to Medication Utilization Evaluation on multidisciplinary committees by attending meetings and providing input.


13. Participates in quality improvement activities through methods such as reviewing current practices, performing quality assurance audits, identifying actual or potential problems and recommending changes.


14. Participates in staff meetings, committees and other programs as required; identifies opportunities to improve processes and/or procedures to enable safe and efficient operations and refers to supervisor and/or others.


15. 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.


16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 (2) years' recent, relevant hospital pharmacy experience including one (1) year's pharmacy experience in medication use process and in determining therapeutic alternatives or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Broad knowledge organizational policies, procedures and standards of care.


• Knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice.


• 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.


• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.