ROLE DESCRIPTION

At MBHS, our pharmacists work closely with medical and nursing staff to ensure that patients receive the best medication, advising on the selection, dose and administration route. They are experts in the field of pharmacology and are responsible for the efficient day-to-day operation of the hospital/clinic pharmacy.

Our pharmacists carry out their duties consistently, ethically and in line with international standards and evidence-based pharmaceutical practices.

 QUALIFICATIONS AND  PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree.
• Must be registered and licenced with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
• 3 years post-internship Hospital experience with at least  1 year in a leadership/managerial position.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Proficiency in computer use & conversant with the use of Microsoft Office programs & Google Docs, Sheets & Slides.
• Good analytical & problem-solving skills
• Good planning & organisation skills
• Good written & oral  communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Be able to work under minimal supervision.

KEY ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

•    Manage and run the day-to-day pharmacy operations, supervise staff and perform administrative duties to a standard of professional excellence.
• Comply with all MBHS standards for delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care and where relevant, identify and/or design any pharmacy standards and procedures that are required in collaboration with the MBHS Quality Department.
• Order pharmaceutical supplies, organise stock and store and handle all stock competently.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of drugs and drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications, interactions, drug peak and best practice treatment guidelines.
• Protect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times in keeping with the MBHS Patient Confidentiality Policy.
• Ensure the inventory of Medicines stocked in the storeroom is accurate and applicable using the Mary Begg Essential Medicines List (EML)  as well as timely reporting of discrepancies and preparation of corrective actions. f
• Attend regular clinic and medical service department meetings to report on and discuss issues relating to improvements to the pharmacy services.
• Be available for duty as rostered for normal shifts, routine medical shifts, on-call shifts (defined as a standby period out of normal clinic hours), weekends and in case of emergencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Pharmaceutical Services

1.  Ensure that MBHS policies and procedures, and local regulations relating to pharmacovigilance, prescribing, dispensing, recall, expiration and disposal of medications, and clinical consumables are adhered to at all times.
2.   Assess the identity, strength and purity of medications.
3. Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage and proper medication storage.
4. Engage in therapeutic drug monitoring, dose calculation and adjustment to fit patient needs.
5. Ensure that patient prescriptions are accurate, legible and content appropriate.
6. Manage ARV logistics and information systems, dispense ARVs and offer adherence counselling to patients on HAART.
7. Provide patient education on the proper use of devices such as epinephrine injection pens, asthma ventilators, diabetes blood sugar monitor etc.
8. Advise customers on the selection of brands, medical equipment and healthcare supplies.
9. Ensure that all expiry dates for medications and disposables are checked monthly and that drugs are used on a first in first out (FIFO) principle.
10. Plan, implement, and maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, and labelling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
11. Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities being performed.
12. Ensure that all expired or close-to-expiry drugs and disposables are recorded and handled according to standard operating procedure.
13. Maintain storage and cold chain of all refrigerated medications.
14. Order and manage Controlled drugs/Opioids/Narcotics according to the Dangerous Drugs Act &  the MBHS standard operating procedure.
15. Ensure that new stock orders are prepared on time and with proper authorisation by the Hospital  Manager.
16. Monitor drug consumption trends, establish consumption data, minimum and maximum levels, reorder levels, stock levels, and lead time, calculate order quantity, track expiry dates and ensure that drugs are stored according to prescribed standards.
17. Provide specialised services to help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
18. Pharmacy storage areas are maintained at an appropriate temperature and are always clean and properly organised.
19. Ensure universal infection control precautions are maintained throughout the pharmacy and stock room.
20. Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, nurses and/or patients.
21. Assist with appropriate pharmaceutical treatments/ medications for patients requiring emergency medical evacuation services.
22. Will be a member of the disaster management group supporting the clinic in the event of a mass casualty incident.
23. Ensure compliance with other duties and responsibilities as may be required from the Pharmacy manager/ Chief Medical Officer and/or hospital/clinic manager from time to time within your scope of practice.

Customer Service

1.  Foster a culture of customer service satisfaction amongst MBCC staff and patients.
2. Attend mandatory customer service training.
3. Demonstrate good customer service by listening to patient’s concerns and providing proper support and care. Be polite and respectful in all patient or staff interactions.
4. Report to the Clinic Manager or HR Manager where you see any evidence of poor customer service from other MBHS staff towards patients or other staff (i.e. bullying, yelling etc.).
5. Must complete an Incident and Adverse Event Form to inform on any pharmaceutical or clinical incidents/medication errors/other issues. All incident and adverse event forms are handed to the Clinic Manager immediately for necessary investigation and/or action.

Administrative Functions and Reporting

1. Ensure that all pharmaceutical products (medications/ consumables/ devices) are correctly itemised on the patient’s charge / billing sheets.
2. Participate in the clinic’s action plan and budgeting of drugs and consumables.
3. Maintain up-to-date records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, and registries of poisons, narcotics, and controlled drugs.
4. Ensure maximum and minimum levels are maintained and reviewed each quarter or more frequently as required by the CMO/ Clinic Manager / Head Office Management.
5. Prepare and submit a monthly report on the levels and drug usage to the Clinic Manager.  If other reports are necessary, actively prepare and plan for its completion on time.
6. Prepare and submit a monthly report on the overall pharmacy service, such as drug usage including antimicrobial use,  Chronic Disease Patients/ refills, requests for medications to be added to the Essential Medicines List (EML), prescribing trends and pharmacovigilance..
7. Analyse prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage;, medical overprescribing or harmful interactions and compliance with MBHS policies.
8. Ensure that all pharmaceutical equipment is maintained in good working order and that a report is sent to the hospital/clinic manager when equipment needs to be upgraded or replaced.
9. Assist in filing orders for other departments and arranging shipments via the procurement department.
10. Actively participate in staff meetings. Organise a weekly pharmacy meeting with the CMO, unit leaders and Clinic Manager (optional).
11. Coordinate antimicrobial stewardship activities, pharmacovigilance activities & The Medicines & Therapeutics Committee (MTC) meetings.

Continued Professional Development (CPD)

1. Ensure that MBHS clinic orientation and in-house/ on-the-job training is completed, documented and managed every month.
2. Assist in the training and orientation of new pharmacy personnel as needed.
3. Maintain individual clinical knowledge at an international standard through continuous education, training and learning.
4. Ensure that CME / CPD and general/specific training is planned and conducted as mandated by national licensing bodies and company policy.

PROFESSIONAL

• Ensure that all ongoing professional registration and education are managed, documented, and maintained.
• Submit all documentation and renewals to the MBHS HR Department on an annual basis or when registration is renewed.
• Ensure all patient information is kept in the strictest confidence at all times.
• Respect and maintain patient dignity and integrity at all times.  Continually strive to deliver high-standard quality care to all patients.

GENERAL

• Maintain a positive relationship with clinical staff working for MBHS..
• Actively participate in appropriate social/professional activities that will enhance MBHS’s image in the community. Always adhere to the MBHS uniform policy and code of conduct.
• Must be honest, trustworthy and act with integrity at all times.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT

•  Provide support for quality assurance, utilisation review, client feedback and service as directed.
• Assess and advise on the quality of the pharmacy services and assist in the development, review and revision of policies and procedures.
• Assume responsibility for the plan of action (POA) relating to pharmacy services following an audit report to ensure that there is compliance with the MBHS standards and improvements in service.
• Conduct pharmacy service audits and prepare reports for submission to the CMO, Pharmacy Manager and Hospital  Manager.