Job detail for Senior Specialist, Medical Services

Job Description

Role Description:

Reporting to the Associate Director of Medical Services, the Senior Specialist is an integral member of the Medical Services team, serving as a subject matter expert in two core functions of Medical Services: medical information and medical/scientific review of promotional and non-promotional materials. They also participate in and share responsibility for various other assigned activities. They understand the mission and vision of Value & Implementation (V&I) as a global, science-driven organization committed to patients.

** and Primary Activities:**

Medical Information

• Provide high-quality medical information inquiry handling services by responding to medical inquiries from healthcare providers in a medically accurate, complete, scientifically balanced, confident, and professional manner, supported by reliable and appropriate scientific evidence or medical literature.

• Report unsolicited medical inquiries, including adverse events (AEs) and product quality complaints (PQCs) from healthcare professionals, patients, field staff, and other businesses regarding all vaccines and human health products in Canada, within one business day, in full compliance with the company's commitment to its code of conduct, values and standards, policies and procedures, industry standards, and all applicable laws and regulations.

• Author and/or approve existing global Scientific Response Documents (SRDs) or create new SRDs (where applicable) for local use to prepare medical information correspondence (via IRMS and VeevaVault MedComms (VVMC)).

• Document all handled inquiries accurately, completely, and in a timely manner in the company's record-keeping system (IRMS).

• Ensure that all confidential information or personal data related to customers is managed in accordance with data privacy regulations according to company standards.

• Perform quality checks on adverse events, PQCs, and medical information inquiry correspondence to ensure that reports are written in a timely manner, are accurate, and that an appropriate response is provided through regular process assurance and reconciliation monitoring.

Medical Review

• The Senior Specialist must be trained and qualified to perform an independent medical/scientific review of content/materials as an "Authorized Medical Reviewer."
• Perform medical reviews in the company's record-keeping system (VeevaVault PromoMats).
• Review all promotional or non-promotional company documents containing medical content and/or mentioning products in the assigned therapeutic area intended for internal or external use with stakeholders. These documents may originate from the Pharmaceutical Division (DPP) as well as from collaborations with other business partners.
• Evaluate content, supported by reliable and appropriate scientific evidence, to verify medical/scientific accuracy and ensure that the content complies with all relevant requirements, standards, and policies. Determine if the content complies with Canadian laws, regulations, and industry codes.
• Provide expert guidance and advice based on scientific evidence and the regulatory context to ensure that new initiatives comply with company policies/standards, as well as Canadian laws, regulations, and industry codes, including initiatives for which no standard/procedure exists, and as required by company policy.
• Collaborate closely with the material review team: Corporate services, Legal, and Compliance.

Medical Information Portal (automation, digitized solution)

• Collaborate closely with the V&I team and the local capabilities team to integrate, develop, and expand the Medical Information Portal within V&I-related systems (IRMS, VVMC).
• Lead and manage key processes to strive for operational excellence by ensuring that AEs, PQCs, and medical inquiries are reported to the PSD in a timely manner and entered into the company's record-keeping system, as required by SOPs.

Other Assigned :

• Perform medical assessments (e.g., review of product monographs, Special Access Program (SAP) / Pre-Licensed Patient Access (PLPA) / Unregistered Product Supply (UPS) requests for company products, medical significance for products, etc.).
• Facilitate the management of limited product supply according to a pre-approved medical allocation process.
• Participate in various internal committees to ensure alignment and success, such as workflows, concept review meetings for DPP, product recalls for quality assurance, the local review committee for PSPs, etc.
• Collaborate with all Medical Affairs and Scientific Relations associates, as well as the cross-functional organization, i.e., Regulatory Affairs, IT, Communications, Commercial and Digital Operations (CDO), Legal, and Compliance.
• Onboard and train new employees joining Medical Services.
• Ensure audit and inspection readiness and participate in them.
• Complete all training required by the company to ensure compliance with company policies and standards.
• Other may be added based on the needs of the Medical Affairs and Scientific Relations department.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• University degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm/PharmD.) with a valid Canadian license to practice.
• Practical experience in a clinical environment, i.e., in a pharmacy, hospital, or nursing home, or in close contact with patients and/or healthcare professionals. Experience in oncology is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of Canadian pharmaceutical rules and regulations.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical products.
• Excellent clinical judgment, critical thinking, and ability to learn quickly.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to implement innovative working methods in a complex matrix environment.
• Attention to detail, ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in an ambiguous and constantly changing environment, while managing multiple projects with shifting priorities.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, analytical, and IT skills, with the ability to innovate and find practical solutions to complex problems.
• Autonomy, resourcefulness, and proactivity; ability to work as a team leader, team member, and individual contributor, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Efficiency in searching for relevant scientific and medical information, ability to analyze and summarize data, and effectively communicate results.
• Results-oriented, consistently producing quality work and meeting deadlines.
• Proven negotiation, diplomacy, and tact skills; excellent ethics, rigor, and integrity.
• Fluency in French is required.

This job offer is for an existing vacancy.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $142,400 - $174,400 CAD. At our company, we are firmly committed to providing fair compensation for comparable work and experience, which is a fundamental element of our organizational culture. Individual employee compensation is established based on several factors, including relevant experience, skills, and level of proficiency, as well as other legitimate factors related to appropriate internal comparators.

We put people at the heart of our priorities. This position is eligible for our discretionary short-term incentive program, which fosters a pay-for-performance culture. Additionally, our total compensation and benefits programs go beyond traditional plans (medical and retirement) to create a flexible and inclusive workplace conducive to the well-being, development, and long-term success of employees.

We may use artificial intelligence and automated tools to support our recruitment process. These tools are used to support, not replace, human judgment. All hiring decisions are made by our hiring managers.

We are proud to be a company that values the contribution of diverse, talented, and committed individuals. The fastest way to foster innovation is to bring together diverse ideas in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge each other's viewpoints and solve problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. In accordance with our accommodation policies and applicable provincial and federal accessibility legislation, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Clinical Pharmacy, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Detail-Oriented, Diplomacy, Employee Training, Ethical Standards, Inspection Readiness, Interpersonal Relationships, Logical Thinking, Medical Information, Medical Information Systems, Medical Knowledge, Medical Review, Negotiation, Quality Reporting, Regulatory Compliance, Results-Oriented, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Teamwork

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Secondary Language(s) Job Description:

Role Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Medical Services, the Senior Specialist is an integral member of the Medical Services team serving as a subject matter expert in two core functions of Medical Services: Medical Information and Medical/Scientific Review of Promotional and Non-Promotional Materials. The SS is also involved in and shares the for a variety of other assigned activities. The Senior Specialist understands the mission and vision of Value & Implementation (V&I) Global organization as a science-driven and patient-committed organization.

** and Primary Activities:**

Medical Information

• Provide high-quality medical information inquiry handling services by responding to medical inquiries from healthcare providers in a medically accurate, complete, scientifically balanced, confident and professional manner supported by reliable and appropriate scientific evidence or medical literature.

• Report unsolicited medical inquiries, including adverse events (AEs) and product quality complaints (PQCs), from healthcare professionals, patients, field staff, and other businesses regarding all vaccines and human health products, within one business day, in a manner fully consistent with the company's Code of Conduct, Values and Standards, policies, procedures, industry standards, and all applicable laws and regulations.

• Author and/or approve existing global Scientific Response Documents (SRD) or create new SRDs (if required) for local use to prepare medical information correspondence in the company System of Records.

• Document all inquiries handled in an accurate, comprehensive and timely fashion in the company System of Records.

• Ensure that any confidential information or personal data related to the customers is managed in accordance with Data Privacy regulations as per our companies standards.

• Perform quality checks on Adverse Events, Product Quality Complaints, the Medical Information Request correspondence to ensure timely reporting, accuracy and appropriate response is provided through regular process assurance and reconciliation monitoring.

Medical Review

• The SS must be trained and qualified to conduct independent medical/scientific review of content/materials as a ‘’Certified Medical Reviewer’’.
• Perform Medical Review in the company System of Records.
• Review all promotional or non-promotional materials with medical content and/or with mention of products in his/her assigned therapeutic area that are intended for internal or external use with stakeholders. These materials can originate from Human Health (HH) as well as from collaborations with other business alliance partners.
• Assess content, supported by reliable and appropriate scientific evidence, for medical/scientific accuracy and ensure that the content adheres to all relevant requirements, standards, and policies. Determine if content is compliant with Canadian laws, regulations, and industry code.
• Provide expert guidance and advice based on scientific evidence and regulation context to ensure that new initiatives adhere to company policies/standards, as well as Canadian laws, regulations, and industry code, including initiatives for which a standard/procedure does not exist, and as required by company policy.
• Collaborate closely with the Material Review team: Business, Legal and Compliance.

Medical Information Portal (automation, digitized solution)

• Collaborate closely with V&I and local Capabilities team to integrate, develop and expand the Medical Information Portal within the V&I-related systems.
• Drive and manage key processes to strive for operational excellence ensuring that AEs, PQCs and MIRs are reported to the Designated Point of Contact in a timely manner and entered into the company System of Records, as required by Standard Operating Process.

Other Assigned :

• Perform medical assessments (i.e., revision of product monographs, Special Access Program (SAP) / Pre-Licensed Patient Access (PLPA) / Unregistered Product Supply (UPS) requests for our companies products, medical significance for products, etc.).
• Help manage limited product supply following a pre-approved medical allocation process.
• Participate in various internal committees to ensure alignment and success, such as workstreams, concept review meetings, product recalls, local review board for Patient Support Programs, etc.
• Collaborate with all Medical & Scientific Affairs associates as well as the cross-functional organization i.e., Regulatory Affairs, Business Units, Communications, Legal & Compliance.
• Onboard and provide trainings to new employees that engage with Medical Services.
• Ensure audit & inspection readiness and participate in audits & inspections.
• Completes all required company training to ensure compliance with company policies and standards.
• Other may be added based on Medical & Scientific Affairs’ s needs.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience:

• University degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm/PharmD.) with a valid Canadian license to practice.
• Practical experience in a clinical setting, i.e., working in a pharmacy / hospital / nursing home or in close contact with patients and/or health care professionals.
• Extensive knowledge of Canadian pharmaceutical rules and regulations.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is an asset.
• Excellent clinical judgment and critical thinking, and fast learner.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to execute innovative ways of working within a complex matrix environment.
• Detail-oriented with ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a constantly changing, ambiguous environment while managing multiple projects with shifting priorities.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, analytical skills, and digital savviness with ability to innovate with practical solutions for complex issues.
• Self driven, resourceful, and proactive, able to deliver as a team leader, team member and individual contributor, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Efficient in finding relevant scientific and medical information, able to analyze and summarize data and effectively communicate the results.
• Results oriented, consistently delivers quality work and meets deadlines.
• Efficient negotiation skills, diplomacy and tact; high ethical standards, rigor and integrity.
• Fluency in French is required

This job posting is for an existing vacancy position .

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $142,400 - $174,400 CAD. At our company, we are firmly committed to provide fair and equitable pay for similar work and experience as a fundamental aspect of our workplace culture. Individual employee salaries will be based on several factors such as relevant experience, skills & proficiency, and/or other bona fide factors relative to appropriate internal comparators.

At our Company, we lead with people. This role includes eligibility to our discretionary short-term-incentive plan which fosters a pay-for-performance culture. Also, our contemporary rewards and benefit programs go beyond traditional medical plans and retirement programs, to create a flexible, inclusive workplace to support employee well-being, development and long-term success.

We may use artificial intelligence and automated tools to support our recruitment process. AI tools are used to support, but not replace, human judgment. All hiring decisions are made by our hiring managers.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. In accordance with our accommodation policies and applicable provincial and federal accessibility legislation, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

na

Job Posting End Date:

10/20/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.