Chief Pharmacist at Nairobi Hospital

REF: TNH/HRD/CP/07/21

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

• The Chief Pharmacist will be expected to manage the department to maintain timely and efficient patient flow in line with Hospital targets while ensuring staffing levels at all times.
• Timely development, 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 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.
• Setting of key performance indicators, measure, monitor and audit.
• Coordinate research in the department
• Prepare departmental budgets.
• 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.
• Responsible for setting, monitoring, and evaluating key performance indicators for the team.
• In liaison with the Director, Medical Services & Research, prepare departmental annual plans that are aligned to the Hospital’s strategic plan.
• 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
• Align all activities to TNH Strategy 2019-2024.
• Be able to participate in the hospital general Pharmacy rota.
• Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary environment including attending and participating in multidisciplinary clinical meetings, Tumor Board and Mortality meetings etc.
• Play an active role in the management and organization of the pharmacy department and participate in teaching, researching and audit.
• Have the ability to lead when appropriate and work independently with no or little supervision and supervise others.
• Show evidence of personal development through publications and research in the field of Pharmacy.
• 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 license.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in pharmacy with 5 years at a managerial level.
• MBA will be an added advantage.

CORE COMPETENCIES

1. Knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics
2. Knowledge of nutrition supplementation
3. Understanding of pricing and billing procedures
4. Stock management skills
5. Leadership skills
6. Problem solving skills
7. Ability to work for long hours under pressure
8. Drive and openness to learning
9. Interpersonal skills
10. Patient care skills
11. Basic counselling skills
12. Decision making and judgement skills
13. Research skills
14. Analytical skills
15. Attention to detail
16. Planning and organizing skills
17. Communication skills including presentation and facilitation skills
18. Team working skills
19. Accountability
20. Integrity
21. Confidentiality