Graduate from an accredited post-secondary Pharmacy Program (B.Sc Phm, M.Sc Phm, or PharmD).
Be registered, licensed, and in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists.
Hold valid certification in CPR and First Aid, recommended by the posting.
Present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, patients, nurses, and physicians.
Have communication and relationship-building skills to collaborate with internal staff and external partner organizations.
Demonstrate a strong focus on social determinants of health and a commitment to social justice and working successfully with marginalized groups.
Integrate and apply critical thinking skills to client care and work independently.
Commit to client-centered care and client-centered learning, with health teaching experience.
Work under minimal supervision and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Perform all technical duties involved in successful medication dispensing.
Solve practical problems and manage concrete variables in situations with limited standardization.
Apply infection prevention and control practices and use personal protective equipment.
Responsibilities
Manage clinical and technical aspects of drug distribution, including clinical prescription review and verification, patient counselling, resolving drug-related problems, prescription adaptations or renewals as appropriate, and prescription processing, filling, and checking.
Provide direct patient-centered care in home-based settings in partnership with patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Complete medication reconciliation, consultation, counselling, and follow-up.
Identify, prevent, and resolve medication-related problems by conducting medication histories and developing and monitoring care plans.
Attend and contribute to interdisciplinary care rounds.
Participate in implementing and managing quality improvement projects related to pharmacy practice.
Consult and advise the interprofessional team on drug usage, therapeutic outcomes, and drug therapy.
Contribute pharmacy expertise to Ontario Health Team initiatives advancing patient care in home and community care.
Contribute as a pharmacy subject matter expert to other VHA projects and initiatives.
Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, design, implement, and evaluate medication-use initiatives, research, training programs, and clinical pharmacy services.
Work in the main pharmacy dispensary at the head office and provide clinical pharmacy services in the community, including patients’ homes.
Desired Qualifications
Successful completion of an OCP-approved injection training course is preferred.
Experience working with older adults is preferred.
A valid driver’s license and access to a car are preferred but not mandatory.
Strong leadership skills, including strategic thinking, dependability, and teamwork, are an asset.
VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is one of the largest not-for-profit home care providers in Ontario. Our team is made up of close to 3,000 caring and committed professionals who love what they do. Our providers tell us: “Home care is where I can truly make a difference. There is such a sense of accomplishment from helping people live independently at home.” Our teams work together to provide high quality, client-centred care to those who need it most in their homes, schools, retirement homes and other community settings. Many of our team members manage their own schedules in the community and they say, “The freedom and flexibility can’t be beat.” Providers form meaningful bonds with the clients and families they serve over time and are supported by a diverse regional team and beneficial home office programs. Team members tell us “I love the inclusive culture. I feel welcome and at home.”
Join Our Team – Pharmacist (Newly Established Pharmacy)
What will be your role?
This is a unique opportunity to practice to your full scope in a role that combines traditional pharmacy dispensing with meaningful, patient-facing clinical care in their homes, where and when they need it most. If you're passionate about making a direct impact on patient outcomes this role is for you. In addition to working in our new main pharmacy dispensary located at our head office (30 Soudan Avenue), you will provide clinical pharmacy services in the community, including patients' homes, where you'll play a key role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. You'll work closely with patients, caregivers, primary care providers , and other healthcare professionals to optimize medication therapy, provide education and support, and deliver exceptional client-centred care. This role offers the autonomy, variety, and flexibility to practice independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, allowing you to create possibilities for more independence, championing the needs of our clients and families and delivering high quality, integrated care.
Key Areas of Accountability
VHA's Pharmacists will have the following key areas of accountability, but not limited to:
1. Accountable and responsible for clinical and technical aspects of drug distribution, including prescription clinical review/verification, patient counselling, resolving drug related problems, prescription adaptations/renewals as appropriate, prescription processing, filling and checking of medication.
2. Providing direct patient-centered care in home-based settings in partnership with the patient, their family and other healthcare providers by:
Completing medication reconciliation & consultation, counselling and follow up.
Identifying, preventing and resolving medication related problems by conducting medication histories, developing and monitoring care plans.
Attending and contributing to interdisciplinary care rounds.
Participating in the implementation and management of quality improvement projects related to pharmacy practice.
Providing consultation and advising the interprofessional team on drug usage, therapeutic outcomes and drug therapy.
3. Ontario Health Team-related initiatives that require expertise from Pharmacists to contribute to advancing patient care in home and community care.
4. Other VHA projects/initiatives that would benefit from including Pharmacists as part of the care team as subject matter experts.
5. Applying advanced clinical knowledge to assess, design, implement and evaluate medication use initiatives, research, training programs and the delivery of clinical pharmacy services.
Required Qualifications:
Graduate from an accredited post-secondary Pharmacy Program (i.e., B.Sc Phm, M. Sc Phm, PharmD)
Registered, licensed and in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
Successful completion of an OCP-approved injection training course is preferred;
Valid certification in CPR and First Aid is recommended
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, patients, nurses and physicians
Experience in working with older adults is preferred.
Excellent communication and relationship building skills to enable collaboration with internal staff members and external partner organizations
Strong focus on social determinants of health and commitment to social justice and working successfully with marginalized groups
Strong leadership skills are an asset (i.e., strategic thinking, great team player, dependable)
Ability to integrate and apply critical thinking skills to client care and work independently
Committed to client centered care and client centered learning—with health teaching experience
Ability to work under minimal supervision and to manage competing priorities/deadlines
Ability to perform all technical duties involved in successful dispensing of medications
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
Confident with Infection Prevention and Control practices and use of PPE
Valid driver’s license and access to a car (preferred but not mandatory)
What makes VHA’s compensation unique?
Benefits and pension plan for permanent eligible employees
Compensation for education and professional development
VHA is a leading learning organization so we can provide you with comprehensive orientation and training at the start and throughout your career
Mentorship and peer support
Career development opportunities
Employee and family assistance program
Wellness resources
Perks & discounts
Staff & service provider events
Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI
At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA. We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience. VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. If you require any accommodation, please let us know in advance as we are happy to comply.
How to Apply?
Our online application should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
VHA is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada; an RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization designate; and a founding member agency of United Way Greater Toronto.
Thank you to everyone who applies. We will review applications as they are received. We’ll only be contacting those selected for further discussion.
In every role and at every level, we lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and we’re passionate about providing spectacular care.