Pharmacy Technician at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview/Summary

• The Pharmacy technician is responsible for quality, management and dispensing of medicines and medical materials in the BHA Consortium supported mobiles clinics in MMC/Jere and in any other area as assigned by his/her supervisor.
• S/he reports directly to the Pharmacy Officer charge of the consortium as both line supervisor and technical reference.

Major Responsibilities

• Effective Stock Management, Medical Supplies and Analysis:
• In close collaboration with the Pharmacy Officer and Senior Pharmacy Manager, develops stock levels alert (based on an average monthly consumption (AMC) and morbidity data); Gathers stock indicators, analyze them, observe consumption trend, and discuss with the Pharmacy Officer to avoid stock-outs at the health facility and the financial losses generated by expired items.
• Liaise with the Pharmacy Officer and the WH team for prompt requisition and delivery of drugs/other medical supplies. Inform clinician and midwife about drug availability in stock.
• Regularly monitor the quality of product in storage at the health facilities and report any concern to the Pharmacy Officer
• Support the Area office and facilities’ pharmacy to maintain permanently good housekeeping of the IRC pharma supplies (checking of temperature and hygiene).
• Dispense medicines and/or medical supplies to patients, as prescribed by the clinician. Also provide patients and their caregivers with adequate information on drug usage, possible side effects and additional advice as appropriate and in adherence to MoH protocols.
• Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by participating in continuous medical education program with the IRC health team and promote rational drug use by the clinician when inconsistencies of prescriptions are noted in view of patient safety and compliance.

Human Resource Management

• Pharmacy Technician must be able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide well-coordinated patient care.
• S/he will work with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver coordinated patient care and appropriate stock management.
• Will participate is step down training for health workers and patients on drug-based management.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of pharmaceutical and other health program supplies.
• Prepare weekly work plans and movement plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.
• As team leader, maintain vigilance and monitor surroundings for security of the team for outreach activities and adhere to IRC’s safety and security protocols.

Monitoring Health Program Implementation:

• Monitor project implementation and provide on-spot support to field teams and propose modifications as necessary.
• Ensure regular health program data analysis and review, take follow up action on project implementation, and prepare relevant action reports.
• Supervise and provide technical oversight in the interpretation of data for improved programming and implementation.
• Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way that increases the overall impact of health programs at the community level.

Communication and Reporting:

• Keep daily records of drug consumption and submit weekly reports.
• Compile weekly drug consumptions for the health facility and report to the Pharmacy Officer for compilation.
• Conduct monthly physical inventory of stock and share with the Pharmacy Officer
• Report short expiries to the Pharmacy officer and advice facility staff on the need for consumption or redistribution to other facilities before expiry.

Key Result Areas:

• Improvement of key project objectives, milestones, and deliverables within the timeframe.
• Through proper pharmacy management, achieve better healthcare outcome of clients and minimize cost for the IRC.
• Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
• Targeted populations are given the basic information on handling and use drugs.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Pharmacy Officer
• Position indirectly supervises: none
• Indirect Reporting: Health Manager/Senior Pharmacy Manager

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: Health program assistant, Senior health promotion officer, senior capacity building officers, health/RH managers, M&E

Key Internal/External Contacts: 

• Internal: Health (Clinical Outreach Staff, Doctors, Nurse/Midwives, Health/Rep Health Managers, Pharmacy Manager) and other sectors (Nutrition, WPE, M&E, Governance, Finance, Supply Chain.
• External: Other partners- NGO’s, MOH, SPHCDA etc.

Qualifications

Education:

• Diploma in pharmacy Technician or related diploma

Experience:

• At least 2 years working experience in the relevant humanitarian setting is preferred.
• Experience in dispensing and patient counselling in humanitarian setting is highly recommended.
• Must be registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and allowed to practice in Nigeria.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• NGO work experience is an advantage.
• Should be able to use Microsoft Office especially MS-Word, Excel.
• Able to communicate in English language (written and spoken); Knowledge of local languages (Hausa and Kanuri) is a plus.
• Additional qualities: team worker, flexibility, and adaptability to transitions.

Demonstrated Technical/Leadership/interpersonal Skills:

• Good knowledge of clinical care especially at PHC settings.
• Good communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery.
• Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Good sense of integrity, service, and accountability.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.