Pharmaceutical Technologist at Marie Stopes International

The Pharmaceutical Technologist works in a team with the Procurement Officer and reports to the Procurement & Logistics Manager. The incumbent will be responsible of performing tasks related to pharmaceutical drugs and provide a variety of warehousing and stock management responsibilities, which include receiving of goods, storage and distribution of goods.

The Pharmaceutical Technologist will be required to liaise and work closely with the P&L Team to ensure that the core objectives of MSK are achieved. The position is fulltime and will report to the P&L Manager.

Key Responsibilities

The position will be 50% based at the SO and 50% of time spent in the field stores/Pharmacies

This job has two key responsibilities:

Pharmaceutical Technologist

Activities Include:-

• Ensures all drugs requested and purchased are approved by QAM team and in line with MSI Global regulations for purchase of drugs
  • A member of the Standard Product List Committee and overall responsibility for Quality of products received and dispatched in MSK
  • Update Q-TRACK communicate any deviations to the laid out standard
  • To assure that the drugs supplies are as per the Standard Product List and informing Deputy Director Quality Assurance and the Deputy Director Procurement of any changes.
  • To receive and check incoming Medical products and supplies (from suppliers and other organization) and ensure quality and standards of the medical products and supplies.
  • Conducting random checks on quality of drugs and participate in sampling process of products for pharmacovigilance purposes.
  • To monitor drugs’ expiry date and minimum medical stock level in order to protect the supply rupture and report findings to Deputy Director Procurement.
  • Auditing medical items, supplies and commodities procurement plans sent by field teams
  • Management, Support and implementation Q-Track with LSO.
• Offer technical support in forecasting and quantification of medical supplies to all service delivery leads.
  • Advice different teams on quantification of needs monthly/quarterly basis and help them forecast based on the consumption trends for each team.
  • Coordinate the distribution of medicines and medical supplies to all service points in a timely and effective manner while maintaining quality of the supplies i.e. Cold chain
  • Support the implementation of good storage practices in all stores/Pharmacies within MSK e.g establish re-order levels, sorting of items, arrangement of stores, temperature tracking and FEFO arrangements
  • Stores and Warehousing

The Activities include:

• Coordination of receipt of goods, verifies the documents against goods delivered, and makes sure the suppliers sign the relevant documents.
• Verifies receipts against purchase orders, processes customer returns on a daily basis
• Maintain inbound receiving records.
• Assists in shipping of goods, receiving, stocking, storing, and inventory of materials. Assist the Inventory Control staff with receiving corrections.
• Manage all courier and delivery services between SO and field teams
• To ensure proper storage of medicines by standard warehouse running documents and procedures and to locate the drugs by categorized lay-out
• To maintain medical storage space clean and tidy stacking of boxes and set correct room temperature and level of moisture by keeping daily track records and maintaining the warehouse cold chain.
• To arrange picking, sorting and packing of Medical Products for distribution to various destination.
• Overseeing stock holding management to ensure protection and safe storage

The activities include:

• Ensuring availability and updated bin cards in all stores handling medical supplies.
• Keep records of serious untoward incidents e.g. drug errors, poor quality, expired drugs as requested by Program Pharmacist
• Lead weekly and monthly support office cycle counts and reports
• Maintains records, searching for and compiling information and data; responding to routine request with answers by phone, in person, or by correspondence.
• Maintains cleanliness of the warehouses, goods and materials in them and keeps the equipments in good working order
• Checks periodically and make sure that the needed materials are in necessary quantity and quality.
• Ensures proper labelling and shelving of the warehouses.
• Timely distribution of goods

The activities include:

• Coordination of dispatch of goods in the warehouse through the appointed currier service provider.
• Run and distribute department reports and correspondence for warehouses and distribution.
• Ensures distribution forms, requisitions, purchase orders forms and packaging slips are completed accurately.
• Assist with packing and pick slips, and log tracking.
• Support MSK Centres with stock Management and reporting
• Lead and report monthly stock counts
• Train staff on re-order levels and management
• Train staff on importance on FIFO to avoid supplies expiring at the stores
• Line manage the Assistant ware house officer.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Logistics or any other relevant discipline.
• Diploma in Pharmacy from accredited institutions by Pharmacy and Poisons Board
• Enrolled Pharmaceutical Technologist with Pharmacy and Poisons Board
• Minimum of three (3) years post training experience in the same position
• At least a Diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience in warehouse and stores management preferably with a medical store.
• The Candidate should have experience working with any ERP system.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 3 years working in the same capacity in a busy organisation especially INGO.
• Proven experience in Warehouse management and stock control.
• Computer Literate
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of drugs and their indications, contra indications, dosing, side effects and proper administration
• Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures
• Ability to train other assigned staff as necessary
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards
• Experience in medical or health sector an added advantage
• Analytical solving skills
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Effective organizational skills
• Good computer skills.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Security and safety minded.

Attitude / Motivation:

Successful performance at MSI is not simply defined in terms of ‘what’ people achieve, but equally is about ‘how’ people go about their jobs and the impact that they have on others. There are 13 key behaviours that MSI encourages in all employees and they are defined below:

Initiative

Thinking ahead and taking action to make the most of opportunities by finding the optimum solution

Innovative

Thinking creatively and outside of the box so that ideas generated create a positive outcome

Effective Communication

Communicating through active listening and good questioning techniques, using appropriate body language, ensuring information is clear and concise.

Responsive

Being responsive to changing priorities and demands

Working Efficiently

Planning, prioritising and organising work to ensure work is accurate and deadlines are met

Sharing Information

Sharing information and knowledge whilst maintaining confidentiality

Focus on Learning

Taking responsibility for keeping knowledge and skills updated and for seeking opportunities to develop further

Commitment

Awareness and understanding of goals, vision and values and how your role impacts on this and going the extra mile to meet role requirements

Driven

Drive and determination to deliver results

Accountable

Taking responsibility for appropriate decisions that you make, and the actions and behaviour you demonstrate

Embracing Change

Openness to embracing change within the organisation and being able to adjust plans/activities accordingly

Motivated

Motivation towards achieving quality results to maximise potential

Team Player

Working as part of a team by being supportive, flexible and showing respect for each other