Innovative Therapies Access Navigator, Paediatrics

Description

The Department of Paediatrics in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for an Innovative Therapies Access Navigator. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The mandate of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Experimental and Novel Therapies Excellence (PHOENIX) program is to improve access to novel therapies for children and adolescents with hard-to-treat cancers and blood diseases. 

In response to the needs of our vulnerable patients to access innovative therapies, an Innovative Therapies Access Navigator (ITAN) position has been developed. This position combines responsibilities of drug access navigators (DANs) to access medications, and additionally leverages skills in medical writing to increase access to innovative therapies through protocol writing and Single Patient Studies (SPSs).

This role will involve problem-solving skills and a "can do" approach to navigating access and overcoming barriers to allow more children access to the therapies that they need.
 

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

- This position will improve drug access by facilitating medication access for the "life cycle" of drug access need. Ultimately this role will increase the number of patients accessing novel therapies, decrease the time spent in obtaining access and allow clinical pharmacists, physicians, nurses and social workers to spend their time on treating and supporting patients and families.

Drug Access Navigation

• Work closely with providers, respond to inquiries for drug access
• Communicate with families and team members to determine third party drug coverage
• Oversee tracking drug access to ensure timely and effective response to requests, reduce administrative barriers resulting in delays in access to care (e.g. form incompletion, requests missed in the chain of required processes)
• Ensure documentation adheres to industry and regulatory standards
• Utilize comprehensive knowledge of access and coverage of medications
• Liaise efficiently with drug companies to establish pathways of access (patient access programs, third party payers, compassionate access, etc), including determine the required documentation and paperwork required for vendor procurement
• Navigate private insurance plans, provincial cancer and high cost drug access programs
• Within scope of practice and limited expertise, complete necessary documentation with the support from and in collaboration with consultant physicians

Project Operations

• Support clinicians and patients/families to navigate complex regulatory environment, by determining required permission and approvals required, and pathways to support patient access to specialized medications and novel cellular therapies
• Work with the multi-disciplinary clinical team and families to explore funding options
• Identify barriers, develop recommendations and improvements to the procedures for medication and novel therapies access
• Strong time management skills to address varied requests for access while adhering to tight deadlines
• Track record of initiative and ability to adapt to new situations and develop new pathways/processes
   

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in a scientific, health or related field; Master's degree preferred
• Pharmacy experience is an asset (pharmacist or pharmacy technician)
• 2-5 years experience in health care or clinical research
• Experience in medical writing, through education or clinical work essential
• Experience in writing and reviewing clinical trial protocols based on ICH guidelines is an asset
• Understanding of regulatory processes including Heath Canada Division 5 and Good Clinical Practice preferred
• Effective organizational and time management skills, ability to function with independence and with attention to detail to effectively prioritize and manage complex projects
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders to enable a collaborative and goal-oriented research program
• Experience in Oncology and/or Pediatrics

Application Deadline:  August 12, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.