Medicines Dispenser at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

• To provide an accurate, timely, and qualitative dispensing service of drugs according to medical prescriptions and MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to improve the patient’s health conditions

Job Description

• Dispensing medication to patients according to medical prescription, ensuring the medication is labeled with the correct drug name, strength, quantity, expiry date, directions for use and additional required information and providing clear instructions and advice on how to take the drug, when, how long, how to store, possible side-effects and any other relevant warnings. Making sure the patient understands in order to ensure correct treatment.
• Adhering to MSF practice policies and procedures for dispensing medicines, in particular those relating to controlled drugs and ensuring respect of confidentiality in dispensing
• Placing accurate and timely orders with the central stock, maintaining minimum stock levels of medicines, checking expiry dates and storage conditions and ensuring no medicines or material are taken out of the dispensary without authorization
• Maintaining accurate dispensing records and regularly reporting them to his/her technical reference. Ensuring returned and out-of-date medication is safely removed to a well-designated quarantine zone for unwanted pharmaceuticals, separated from the normal stock
• Organizing and keeping clean the dispensing area, ensuring cleanliness and care in handling medicines to avoid contamination and mix-up. Maintaining dispensary equipment, ensuring it is clean, accurate and in a good state of repair.
• Maintaining the integrity and security of the dispensary by admitting only authorized personnel and ensuring that all medicines are stored as appropriate. Reporting immediately to the technical reference on any problem arising in the service (especially loss, robbery, quality problems with medicines (abnormal changes in colour, consistency, and odour) damage of medical equipment or medicines).
• Understanding, recording and informing on any complaint received from patients related to medicine use or side       effects.
• Ensure that all medication shelves are checked in the morning and refilled.
• Review of stock and communicate to supervisor when stock reaches minimum level.
• Ensure supply of items follows the FEFO/FIFO rule according to MSF protocol.
• Double check the prescription and the medication according to the condition of patient
• Ensure that delivery is according to MSF admission criteria
• Report the number of patients
• Understanding, recording and informing supervisor on any complaint received from patients related to medicine use or side effects.

Requirements
Education:

• Diploma in Pharmacy / Pharmacy Technician Certificate (Pharmacy License is an Added Advantage)

Experience:

• Working experience of at least 1 year in a hospital or health care center
• Working experience in a dispensary is a plus

Languages:

• Fluent English (oral and written English), Hausa, Kanuri are Essential

Knowledge:

• Essential knowledge of basic mathematics and use of measuring equipment
• Desirable computer literacy (word, excel)

Competencies:

• Results and Quality Orientation L1
• Teamwork and Co-operation L1
• Behavioural Flexibility L1
• Commitment to MSF Principles L1
• Stress Management L2

Contract:

• 208 working hours per month