Role Responsibilities

Pharmaceutical Policy Consultant

Reporting to the Director, Professional and Industry Relations, Pharmaceutical & Health Benefits Branch, the Consultant manages critical issues, assesses economic risk/benefits, develops sound solutions and provides advice related to pharmaceuticals in the context of Alberta's health system. The Consultant assists with the management and evaluation of the PLA framework, enabling access to appropriate and effective drug therapies for Albertans. The Consultant supports critical improvements in drug program design and directions in an effort to enable appropriate patient care and effective resource use considering future system implications. The Consultant will be working with internal and external stakeholders as a liaison to provide policy consistency and program support.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Manager, Policy and Advisory

Reporting to the Director, Policy & Advisory, Pharmaceutical & Health Benefits Branch, the Manager has responsibility for managing policy, operations and strategic planning issues related to the provision of health benefits and health related supplementary benefits for Albertans enrolled in low-income health benefit programs. This position provides leadership and direction for policy and program development of drug and supplemental health benefits plans for social assistance programs including Income Support (IS), Alberta Adult Health Benefit (AAHB), and Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB) programs, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Child Intervention services (CIS), and Child and Youth Support (CYS). The Manager also plays a leading role in the Health Benefits Exception Committee and other provincial drug and health benefit initiatives such as the Insulin Pump Therapy Program and the Tracked Prescription Program.

The Pharmaceutical Policy Consultant will be accountable for the following key responsibilities; 
•    Provide leadership in the development and ongoing review of specific program policy, strategies and initiatives in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to enhance cost-effective sustainability pharmacovigilance and equitable pharmaceutical programs to Albertans.
•    Develop options to enhance branch programs, processes, or policy based on assessment of diverse data and information sources.
•     Participate in the management of the Alberta Drug Benefit List (ADBL) and government-sponsored drug programs to achieve business goals and meet the needs of clients within program frameworks.
•    Provide a liaison for Primary and Preventative Health Services and the Minister by establishing relationships with other governments, industry, professional associations, and the medical and academic research community.
•    Provide pharmaceutical policy perspectives to support the implementation of integrated information systems, including the Electronic Health Record that will support research and improve clinical and management decision making.

Role Responsibilities continued,

The main responsibilities of the Manager, Policy & Advisory are:

• Development and maintenance of program policy for health benefits: The Manager will ensure program policy for health benefits and health related supplementary benefits are developed to meet government goals, the needs of clients, effective stewardship of public funds, and best practices in health benefit delivery. 
• Program co-ordination: The development and maintenance of effective linkages with other divisions, and branches are crucial to this position. The Manager plays a key role in working with other ministries that deliver social assistance programs, to ensure health benefit policies and programs are developed to take into account the requirements of various stakeholders and other department directions.
• Planning: The Manager will recommend program, budget and legislative (regulatory) options for government, through the decision-making and regulatory processes. The Manager is responsible to propose policy options, rationales, and implications (financial impact, client impact, operational requirements) on an ongoing basis, for senior management consideration.
• Policy and Program implementation: The position is accountable for ensuring policy and program changes are implemented effectively. This includes developing and delivering policy documents, developing implementation plans in conjunction with program delivery partners, developing communication plans jointly with AH Communications, and ensuring communications to stakeholders are clear and timely. The position also plays an active role in the administration of the Health Benefits Exceptions committee, which requires application of both clinical judgment and a thorough understanding of health benefit program policies.
• Program effectiveness: The position holder will respond to inquiries from senior management with respect to analysis of the costs and benefits of program policies. The position has responsibility to develop options in response to emerging issues and trends, which involves a superior level of understanding of the health benefit programs, rigorous consideration of root causes and potential impacts of policy changes.
• Staff Development: The Manager plays a key role in developing professional staff to ensure thorough knowledge of health benefits and programs, and effective support for senior management.

If you are ready to seize this exciting opportunity to make an impact within the Pharmaceutical and supplementary benefits division, please apply today, we would like to meet you!

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Build Collaborative Environments – Involves a wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes; Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitates discussion; Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others; Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.
• Systems Thinking – Integrates broader context into planning; Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends, integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions. Supports organization vision and goals through strategy, addresses behaviours that challenge progress.
• Develops Networks – Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative: Creates impactful relationships with the right people. Ensures needs of varying groups are represented. Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needs and Ensures all needs are heard and understood.
• Drive for Results - Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles, forecasting and proactively addresses project challenges. Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes. Upholds principles and confronts problems directly. Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or higher in Pharmacy and Four (4) years of related experience.
• Regulated member of the Alberta College of Pharmacists.
• Equivalency: related diploma and six (6) years of related experience.
• Must be a regulated member of the appropriate college as required by the Health Professions Act.

Requirements: 

• Strong research and analysis skills and experience
• Strong skills in synthesis and evaluation through a policy perspective.
• Sound communication skills to work with multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Sound written communication skills for report writing, drafting correspondence and briefings, preparing policy and procurement documents, and developing communication materials.
• Theoretical knowledge of research methods and approaches used in health care.
• Knowledge of the health care system in Alberta, in particular drug programs
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical regulatory and health technology assessment processes.
• Experience applying the policy development process with respect to decision making, legislative planning, and budgeting, in order to make sound policy recommendations.
• Experience providing pharmacy services in a community health or retail.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 
Assets

• Knowledge of legislation and policy pertaining to health benefits, and of program goals and objectives .
•  Skill in the drug review and listing process for health benefit plans
• Experience and demonstrated skills related to negotiating agreements
• Knowledge of the drug benefit lists and agreements with health benefit providers.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and the legislative process in general, and of the operation of the Alberta Government in particular.
• Knowledge of the health care system in Alberta, including the roles of the ministries, agencies and service delivery organizations.
• Knowledge of government programs for low-income or disabled Albertans.
• Experience in leading strategic initiatives, program management & development, and research evaluation within the public and/or health care sector.
• Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders on complex issues or initiatives.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.

Notes

This competition will be used to staff TWO Full-time positions. 

Hours of Work
7.25 hours daily/ 36.25 hours weekly, Monday to Friday
 
Location
ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta. This position requires working from the office with an option to qualify for a hybrid work arrangement (in accordance with GOA policy).

Other information: 

• This position maybe used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary. 
• Top candidates may be required to undergo security screening

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Pension plans: Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.