Position Type:
Permanent
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The Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program (NSPMP) is a provincial program administered by Medavie Blue Cross on behalf of our client. The Program's mandate is to 'Promote the appropriate use, and reduce the abuse and misuse of monitored drugs in Nova Scotia'. The NSPMP currently monitors various drugs listed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), such as opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. As we continue to expand to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system, we are seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Pharmacist Consultant to join our team. This is a permanent part-time role at 4 days per week (30 hours/week). Depending on candidate preference, this role may be located in our Dartmouth office or may be performed remotely from a home office located within Nova Scotia.
In this role, reporting to the NSPMP Manager, you will provide expert guidance to a broad and growing network of community pharmacies and prescribers, including physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and nurse practitioners. This position is responsible for handling confidential and sensitive information including personal health information. This role requires a high level of customer service, professionalism and communication skills (written, verbal and public speaking). Travel to Halifax is required on a quarterly basis to deliver presentations.
This is a unique, non-traditional pharmacy office role that has opportunity to contribute to a high-impact public health initiative and play a key role in promoting safe prescribing practices across Nova Scotia.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct data-driven risk assessments by analyzing prescribing and dispensing patterns to identify potential concerns such as self-prescribing, early refills, and deviations from clinical guidelines.
- Support case identification and management by reviewing flagged cases involving controlled/monitored substances and initiating appropriate follow-up actions.
- Perform patient-specific Drug Utilization Reviews (DURs), including direct communication with prescribers to clarify treatment decisions and assess the clinical appropriateness of new or high-risk medications.
- Lead prescriber practice reviews by evaluating prescribing behaviors using a confidential risk-scoring algorithm, summarizing findings, and leading multidisciplinary committee meetings to review and assess responses.
- Provide 1:1 consultation and support to pharmacists and prescribers, including responding to inquiries, reviewing questionable prescriptions, and offering guidance on best practices.
- Draft formal communications such as letters and reports to prescribers and stakeholders, documenting findings and recommendations with clarity and professionalism.
- Collaborate with external stakeholders including various licensing authorities, law enforcement, and the NSPMP Board of Directors to support coordinated responses to identified risks.
- Develop and deliver presentations and education sessions to prescribers, university classes, and other external stakeholders as requested.
- Conduct ongoing and timely research on trends with monitored drugs within Nova Scotia and other jurisdictions. Communicating timely evidence or studies as well as any legislative or regulatory changes to the NSPMP team will be important to ensure the team and their stakeholders have information they need that may impact the program.
Required Qualifications
Education & Licensure
- Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from a recognized university.
- Must be currently licensed and in good standing to practice as a pharmacist in Nova Scotia.
Experience
- 5 to 10 years of experience in a community pharmacy setting.
- Recent experience working with Nova Scotia's Drug Information System (DIS) is required.
- Experience or interest in mental health, pain management, and/or substance use disorders is considered a strong asset.
Knowledge & Skills
- In-depth understanding of safe prescribing practices and relevant standards and legislation as outlined by provincial licensing authorities.
- Demonstrated ability to apply clinical knowledge and industry best practices to assess prescribing behavior and support decision-making.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and identify patterns of risk in prescribing and dispensing practices.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (including public speaking/presentations), with the ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally across various audiences and formats.
- Comfortable engaging in sensitive or challenging conversations with healthcare professionals.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution and the ability to manage high-pressure or sensitive situations with professionalism and compassion.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
Language
- Proficiency in English is required.
- Bilingualism would be considered an asset but not required.
What's in it for you?
- Purpose-driven work: Contribute to a high-impact program that supports safe prescribing practices and helps reduce the risk of drug misuse across the province.
- Flexible schedule: Enjoy a part-time role with a 30-hour work week spread over four days, Monday to Thursday, during regular business hours.
- Comprehensive benefits: Access a top-tier health and dental benefits program, 100% employer-paid, including a Health Spending Account.
- Wellness-focused culture: Benefit from a flexible and supportive work environment, with access to health tools and discounts on fitness memberships.
- Collaborative environment: Work alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals who are passionate about innovation, quality, and public health.
- Professional growth: Apply your clinical expertise in a unique, non-traditional pharmacy setting that emphasizes data analysis, risk mitigation, and system-level thinking-with access to training, development, and wellness programs.
- Community impact: As a not-for-profit organization, we reinvest in the communities we serve and support employees who are passionate about giving back through charitable initiatives.
- Award-winning culture: Join one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures , where integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.
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We believe our employees should reflect the communities we serve and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. To provide the best experience possible, we will support you with accommodations or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Simply inform our Recruitment team of your needs. We are committed to making sure recruitment, retention, advancement, and compensation are fair and accessible while following all relevant human rights and privacy laws . We appreciate everyone who has shown interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you experience any technical issues throughout the application process, please email: [email protected] .