Provincial Drug Reimbursement Program Clinical Expert Reviewer

Position summary

Ontario Health is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the position of Clinical Expert Reviewers with disease site and/or specialty expertise in the fields of cancer imaging, genetics, radiation, surgery, and systemic treatment for the Provincial Drug Reimbursement Program (PDRP). Physicians participating in the program are part of a multi-disciplinary roster of reviewers representing various specialties treating oncologic diseases. Ontario Health administers several adjudication and reimbursement programs, including Case-by- Case Review Program for cancer drugs, New Drug Funding Program, Out-of-Country Program, Out-of-Country Genetics Program, and Positron Emission Tomography Access Program. Reviewers play important roles as advisors for Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health. Your contributions to the review process will help strengthen system planning and the appropriate and cost-effective utilization of, and access to, cancer services in Ontario. This opportunity is open to all qualified candidates.

Accountabilities

As a Clinical Expert Reviewer, you will evaluate cancer service applications based on your disease site and/or specialty expertise. The role is not time-consuming or intensive but does require a rapid turnaround as it is focused on helping those with urgent treatment needs. The primary responsibilities for this role include the following:

• Upon notification, inform Ontario Health of your ability to complete a review within the target timeframe
• Assess applications in accordance with the regulations and policies as outlined by the specific program
• Provide a written recommendation within the targeted time frame
• Provide your clinical expertise to advise on program processes and policies

Depending on the nature and complexity of the request, the time spent on each review may vary. Generally, most reviews can be completed within half an hour to two hours. The volume of applications for each Clinical Expert Reviewer will depend on the number of reviewers per disease site and specialty, and the number and type of applications received by PDRP.

Qualifications

• Registered and member in good standing with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario
• A minimum of 5 years in active oncology practice with tumour site expertise
• A FRCPC or FRCSC designation if applicable, in a specialty such as Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Paediatric Oncology, Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Haematology, Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Genetics or Medical Genetics or equivalent. For clinical geneticists, a CCMG accreditation is preferred
• Excellent written communication skills
• Strong assessment/evaluation skills; prior experience in critical appraisal, reviewing clinical practice guidelines, educational materials, or journal submissions
• Supportive of evidence-based medicine practice

Expert reviewers must complete a comprehensive conflict-of-interest disclosure to participate as a reviewer and are required to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interests before undertaking any review.

How to apply: 

Interested parties should forward their expression of interest and curriculum vitae, electronically, to Scot Gavura, Director, Provincial Drug Reimbursement Programs, care of JoAnn.Hilliard@ontariohealth.ca..

Questions about the role can be submitted to JoAnn.Hilliard@ontariohealth.ca.

We will evaluate all applications against the skills and experience requirements for the position. Those candidates selected for interview will be contacted directly by a representative from PDRP. Ontario Health may consider applications from incumbents currently in the position. If you have not been contacted within 6 weeks after the submission of your application, you can assume you are not under consideration for this position.

More about Ontario Health

Ontario Health is an agency created by the Government of Ontario with a mandate to connect and coordinate Ontario’s health care system in ways that have not been done before, to help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care.

Ontario Health oversees health care delivery across the province, which includes ensuring front-line providers and other health professionals have the tools and information they need to deliver the best possible care within their communities. This also means simplifying the current system and connecting and coordinating its many complex parts in new and innovative ways. This involves keeping a close eye on how the health system is performing and providing evidence-based standards and improvements to address any gaps.

Ontario Health helps to support significant and important transformation in Ontario’s health system, working to ease the transition between points of care for Ontarians and helping to ensure they have access to the care they need. Ontario Health is adapting world-renowned practices from areas such as cancer care and renal care to other parts of the system, including mental health and addictions.

Through integration, coordination, connection, and clinical excellence, Ontario Health is working to reduce strain on the system which will enable investment of more resources on the care Ontarians need, and most importantly, improve health outcomes and overall wellness for all.

As an operational service agency of the Government of Ontario, Ontario Health is accountable for conducting a fair and transparent process, providing equal treatment to all qualified parties, in selecting a candidate for the above-mentioned role.