Download Advanced Technician Practice Model – Case Study

Advanced Pharmacy Technician Practice
Model Case Study
Business Systems Analyst
Novant Health
Jeffrey Reichard, Pharm.D., M.S., BCPS
Pharmacy Manager
Novant Health
ASHP Pharmacy Technician Initiative and Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative: This case study is a resource
that supports the goals of PPMI and the PTI and the critical roles pharmacy technicians have in patient care.
Important characteristics of current and evolving advanced technician practice models include training
through an ASHP accredited training program, PTCB certification, and licensure with a Board of Pharmacy.
Primary Intended Outcome(s):
1. Perform data analytics of key pharmacy clinical, safety, and operational data
2. Consolidate and communication pharmacy data and dashboards to health-systems pharmacy leadership
3. To Optimization of pharmacy data gathering (e.g., streamlining information streams, development of
reports)
Associated with the following PPMI Recommendation or ASHP Strategic Plan Goals:
• Preparing clinical monitoring information (e.g., International Normalized Ratios) for pharmacist review.
• Conducting aspects of quality improvement programs.
• Managing pharmacy department information technology systems, including routine database
management and billing systems.
Site Description:
The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,100 physicians and 24,000 employees who make healthcare
remarkable at more than 450 locations including 15 medical centers, three hospitals, and hundreds of
outpatient facilities and physician clinics.
Novant Health Pharmacy Services delivers on its promise to provide optimal medication management across all
dimensions of care through providing acute, ambulatory, specialty, retail, and infusion pharmacy services across
the southeast. The pharmacy team includes over 600 Pharmacists and technicians, many of whom are board
certified or CPhT.
Advanced Role Description:
The Business Systems Analyst role was developed prior to 2008 from a need to optimize the maintenance of
pharmacy systems integral to business and provide reports for critical decision-making and cost-saving
initiatives. Since its inception the role has necessitated a strong pharmacy background. Additionally, the role
requires an analytical-focused individual who can balance priorities of multiple levels of pharmacy leadership.
Revenue & Expense Parameters (abbreviated financials):
•
The position is a central source for data management for health-systems pharmacy. An advanced
technician contributes value-added to their organization, limiting unnecessary data management by
pharmacy leadership, providing a significant opportunity cost for these individuals. This resource is the
go-to for analytical questions and their knowledge of the health-systems data structure (e.g., data
streams, data availability, reporting, data interfaces) is integral for environmental scanning of data
technology and implementation into health-systems pharmacy.
Training and/or Education Requirements:
•
•
Required: Associate's Degree; knowledge of computers and database management.
Preferred: Pharmacy Background; CPhT; Advanced Degree (e.g., Bachelor's or Master's); familiarity with
Microsoft Office Suite; Knowledge of NDC's, DRG's, ICD-9, CPT, and J codes. Familiarity with SQL and
Crystal reports.
Outcome Measures:
Short-term results:
• Weekly: ad hoc report development and retrieval; development and maintenance of health-systems
pharmacy SharePoint sites; routine retrieval of reports and analysis for pharmacy leaders and
committees (e.g., medication safety, P&T Committee, Infusion Services)
• Monthly: retrieval and analysis of health-systems pharmacy dashboards (e.g., financial, operational,
medication safety, employee engagement); dissemination of information to health-systems pharmacy
leadership team; presentation of health-systems dashboard at monthly health-systems pharmacy
leadership meeting;
Long-term goals:
• Optimization of health-systems pharmacy dashboard; centralization of health-systems pharmacy data;
ongoing environmental scanning of data analytics to further assist pharmacy leadership with frontline
and longitudinal decision-making; preparation and presentation of health-systems annual report which
encompasses facility level and health-systems roll-up
Lessons Learned:
1. Importance of strong pharmacy background for successfulness in this position
2. Ongoing professional development e.g., education, professional skills, and mastering data
structure/technology within a health-system
3. Ensuring proper access to health-system data systems is vital to the success of the role
4. Optimizing relationships of Business Systems Analyst within health-systems team
References:
1. Original Business Systems Analyst Job Description
2. Most current Business Systems Analyst Job Description