Chief Pharmacist at Nairobi Hospital

REF: TNH/HRD/CP/05/21

Reporting to Director, Medical Services & Research, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership and management oversight of the pharmacy services department and ensure delivery of quality and efficient pharmacy services in line with the established protocols and the Hospital’s patient care objectives and the licensing board guidelines and policies.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, review and ensure compliance to pharmacy protocols and standards relating to distribution and administration of drugs; in consultation with other clinical departments in order to ensure quality pharmacy service delivery in the hospital;
• Manage delivery of patient centric pharmaceutical services in all the hospital’s pharmacy outlets in a manner that respects privacy and confidentiality in order to ensure optimal patient experience;
• Develop and implement evidence-based medicine management policies in line with best practices and industry trends;
• Ensure purchase, storage and supply of pharmacy items in a safe, appropriate and economic in line with quality standards;
• Coordinate medical training including Continuous Medical Education programs for staff in the pharmacy services department;
• Continually review and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the clinical services in pharmacy and identify improvement opportunities;
• Keep abreast of local and global best practices, identify key learnings for the pathology operations and proffer recommendations to the Director, Medical Services;
• Ensure delivery of quality and safe pharmacy services to inpatients, outpatients, and employees;
• Provide clinical pharmaceutical leadership and direct patient service programs;
• Provide leadership in the acquisition and purchasing of quality drugs for hospital usage;
• Coordinate medication deliveries and maintain an orderly workflow for all medication dispensing activities in the hospital to ensure timely deliveries of medications;
• Monitor compliance with regulatory, accrediting, and hospital policy for patient services and environmental safety;
• Oversee the quality assurance program, which consistently monitors and evaluates critical aspects of care;
• Accurately identify real/potential problems affecting the service and implement solutions with follow through and communication;
• Ensure maintenance of pharmacy records including purchasing, quality control and dispensing of pharmacy medication in compliance to established standards;
• Provide advice and guidance to medical and nursing staff on the proper and economic use of drugs, alternative types of drugs and medicines and participate in events aimed at dissemination of information in relation to drugs and drug usage;
• Implement good clinical pharmacy practice to ensure safe and efficient use of medicines including documentation of the effect of clinical pharmacy services;
• Coordinate staff deployment in the department in line with the hospital’s objectives;
• Coordinate health education and promotion in the pharmacy department;
• Coordinate disease surveillance, prevention, and control;
• Develop intervention programmes and activities for the effective delivery and improvement of pharmacy services;
• Develop and ensure implementation of the department’s work plan and budgets;
• Prepare and submit all monthly, quarterly and annual reports in line with requirements;
• Coordinate the preparation and compilation of agreed periodic activities and performance reports for the attention of the Deputy Director Medical Services;
• Provide clinical support during emergencies including resuscitation, admission, discharge or referral to the appropriate consultants and units;
• Ensure high levels of patient confidentiality and work ethic in line with applicable code of conduct and hospital objectives;
• Prepare the department budget and monitor its implementation upon approval;
• Identify, deploy and motivate the pharmacy team including performance appraisal, identification of training needs, mentorship and coaching as well as leave and absence management in line with the hospital’s people agenda
• Any other responsibilities that may be assigned to the job holder by the supervisor from time to time.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master of Pharmacy degree from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from a recognized institution.
• Must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya and hold a valid practicing licence.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmacy with 5 years at a managerial level.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and pharmaceutics
• Understanding of the human anatomy
• Basic knowledge of nutrition supplementation
• Understanding of pricing and billing procedures
• Stock management skills
• Leadership skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work for long hours under pressure
• Drive and openness to learning
• Interpersonal skills
• Patient care skills
• Basic counselling skills
• Decision making and judgement skills
• Research skills
• Analytical skills
• Attention to detail
• Planning and organising skills
• Communication skills including presentation and facilitation skills
• Team working skills
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Confidentiality