Job Description
The Medication Safety Officer is responsible for overseeing the medication safety program within the pharmacy, ensuring that patients receive medications that are safe, effective, and appropriate. This role involves the identification, analysis, and prevention of medication-related errors, as well as promoting a culture of safety within the pharmacy and broader healthcare setting.
- Medication Safety Management:
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the medication safety program, aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
- Proactively identify potential medication related risk through various means, including data analysis, chart reviews, and staff feedback.
- Develop, implement and maintain medication safety policies, procedures, and protocols in accordance current best practices and regulatory guidelines (e.g., DRAP, Healthcare commission, Joint commission, etc.).
- Monitor and report trends in medication errors, near misses, and ADRs, through established reporting system.
- Analyze medication error data to identify patterns & implement targeted interventions to prevent recurrence.
Medication Incident Reporting and Analysis: - Oversee the collection and investigation of medication-related incidents, including medication errors and ADRs.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers (Physicians, Nurses and Pharmacists) to conduct through root cause analysis (RCA) of medication incidents, identifying contributing factors and developing corrective action plans.
- Prepare comprehensive reports on medication safety trends, incidents, RCA findings and corrective actions for presentation to P&T Committee and Pharmacy leadership.
- Work with staff to develop & implement the strategies for preventing the recurrence of identified safety issues, including process changes, system improvements and educational activities.
Training and Education: - Educate pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals on medication safety best practices, error prevention, and safe medication administration.
- Conduct ongoing training on how to use safety-related tools (e.g., medication safety alerts, barcoding systems).
- Organize workshops or in-service programs focused on improving medication safety awareness and skills.
- Assess the effectiveness of training programs through pre and post, tests, surveys and observations.
Collaboration and Communication: - Act as a liaison between pharmacy staff, healthcare providers, administration and patients to improve medication safety and foster a culture open communication.
- Participate in multidisciplinary patient safety committees, quality improvement teams and other relevant forums to represent the Pharmacy perspective and to contribute system wide safety initiatives.
- Collaborate with IT and other departments to optimize technology and systems for medication safety.
- Ensure clear communication regarding safety alerts, recalls, medication shortages, and new safety initiatives to all relevant stakeholders.
Quality Improvement Initiatives: - Drive continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives aimed at enhancing medication safety across the pharmacy and healthcare institution.
- Develop and monitor performance metrics related to medication safety, such as error rates, adherence to safety protocols, and patient outcomes.
- Recommend process improvements and assist in implementing changes to prevent medication errors.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: - Ensure compliance with regulatory standards related to medication safety, such as those set by the DRAP, provincial health care commission, and other relevant organizations.
- Prepare documentation for audits or inspections related to medication safety programs.
- Initiate to monitor the Pharmacovigilance activities, and to report the medication safety issues to the DRAP and other appropriate regulatory bodies.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of medication safety activities.
- Stay informed about changes in regulatory requirements and update SOPs and policies accordingly by following the institutional protocols.
Technology and Systems: - Evaluate and recommend new technologies or systems (e.g., automated dispensing systems, barcoding, medication tracking systems, HMIS enhancements) to improve medication safety efficiency.
- Oversee the integration and proper use of technology to prevent medication errors and enhance patient care and improve workflow.
- Manage the implementation of safety-related software and systems in collaboration with the IT department.