Pharmacy Technician job at Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP)

Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) is a non-profit biomedical research organization, whose mission is to mitigate disease threats through quality research, health care and disease surveillance. MUWRP was established in 2002 by a Memorandum of Agreement between The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) and Makerere University (Mak) to undertake medical research to test HIV vaccines. Over the years, MUWRP’s portfolio has progressively expanded to include vaccine research for Ebola and Marburg viruses, Emerging Infectious Diseases Program (EIDP) for surveillance of influenza and influenza-like viruses and other emerging infections in humans and animals; also, a PEPFAR funded program in HIV treatment, care, and prevention in the districts of Kayunga, Mukono, Buvuma , Buikwe, Luwero and Nakasongola Additionally, MUWRP in collaboration with local and international partners is implementing The Joint Mobile Emerging Disease Intervention Clinical Capability (JMEDICC) program in Uganda whose purpose is to conduct FDA-regulated clinical trials of therapeutics or diagnostics during an outbreak event of high consequence pathogens specifically filoviruses. MUWRP seeks to fill the following position: –

Position Number: MUWRP/35/07/2024
Position Title: Pharmacy Technician (1) (Independent Contractor)
Position Location: Fort Portal Referral Hospital
Contract Tenure: 6 months with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funding.

Position summary: The Pharmacy Technician performs the technical, non-judgmental aspects of investigational products (IP) preparation, distribution, record keeping and inventory control. Tasks are subject to sequential or final verification by the Pharmacist of Record. The Pharmacy technician must support and adhere to Good Clinical Practices/Human Subjects Protection (GCP/HSP) and Pharmacy Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Key Roles and Responsibilities:
• To dispense investigational products according to the research protocol, aiming to ensure the safety of the volunteer/participant and the viability of products at all times.
• Assists in generating labels and worksheets necessary for preparation and shipment of investigational products to office and field clinics
• Receives prescriptions and checks for completeness to ensure that all is in order, reporting to the prescriber in case of concerns or errors:
Gender as on file
Visit number corresponds to the vaccination schedule
Informed consent has been acquired and date provided
Pregnancy test is negative
Other test results according to the research protocol are in order
Name, date and signature of the prescriber are authentic
• Makes up the appropriate IP for each participant according to the randomisation list and the relevant preparation procedures and checklists, affixing labels and storing used vials according to site SOPs
• Ensures that the work environment of the pharmacy is clean and contamination free and that products are handled in a way that will maintain their viability and protect the safety of the volunteer who will receive them. He will clean the hood, refrigerators and freezers, workspaces as stated in applicable site policy and procedures.
• Pass prepared product along with the chain of custody Log to the emergency station nurse
• Ensure that all necessary documentation is prepared and authorised according to the Pharmacy Operations Manual and research protocol i.e. log and date all investigational products being used and keep an accurate accountability log for protocol IP.
• Receive and organize inventory of IP. Assist the PoR in ensuring that standard IP supplies are in adequate supply at all times i.e. Carry out a daily stock take of the Investigational Products, ensuring that the stocks correspond to the log, informing the Pharmacist in case of any discrepancies or stocks running low
• Maintain current knowledge of the study protocol(s)
• Maintain current drug information/investigational brochure and material safety data sheets
• Maintain proper control documentation of IP including lot numbers, bottle/kit numbers and complete inventory control of IP
• Assist in ensuring daily, weekly and monthly Pharmacy Quality Assurance activities i.e. outdated IP/drug check, room temperature, refrigerator temperature record forms, accountability logs etc.
• Assist in ensuring that other necessary pharmacy quality control standards are being met
• Maintain accurate accountability records of inventory, orders, shipments, dispensations and returns.
• To dispense medicines and supplies according to procedures, ensuring that the safety of patients and the security of medicines are upheld at all times. Including but not limited to:
• Receiving prescriptions and checking that all is in order, reporting to the prescriber in case of concerns or errors:
Volunteer ID number is on the prescription
Name, date and signature of the prescriber are authentic
Correct drug, dosage and administration schedule has been prescribed
Checking that prescribed drugs are not incompatible with investigational products and any other drugs that have been administered
Packaging up supplies for outreach programs according to orders from the pharmacist
Dispensing drugs or supplies as requested; packaging and labelling as appropriate
Entering all dispensed drugs and supplies into the stock control system (bin cards, logbook and computer system)
Producing monthly log of dispensed drugs and passing to the pharmacist
Carrying out daily spot-checks, and quarterly formal stock takes to ensure that the stocks of drugs match the bin card and computer records, reporting any discrepancies to the pharmacist
• To manage the store of medicine and medical supplies ensuring that a full inventory is always in stock and that supplies are in good condition, including but not limited to:
• Receiving drugs and supplies that have been delivered
• Checking that the full order has been received and that the invoice matches the goods received
• Following up in case of any discrepancies
• Stamping invoice and passing to the Procurement Officer
• Keeping hard copies of delivery notes on file
• On a monthly basis checking the expiry dates of drugs and supplies.
• To carry out other duties as requested by the PoR

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• Diploma in Pharmacy and registered with Relevant Professional council
• 2 years post qualification Experience is desirable
• Research experience and experience in handling sterile products
• Preparation of Sterile Compounds (adept at aseptic techniques),
• The ability to maintain pharmacy equipment and records,
• Broad knowledge of registered drugs (brand and generic),
• Keen on maintaining accurate inventory and accountability of all products,
• Keen on maintaining cold chain and responsiveness to events, as well as inventory and storage for expired drugs.

. Other desired attributes
• Experience in dispensing, primary health care and general practice.
• Comprehensive and current understanding of common pharmaceutical products.

Ward/field environment.
• The position may require working evenings and weekends. Concurrence with working in an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) setting is required. Training for working in an ETU will be provided including regular training sessions for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) outbreak work.”

Physical Availability:
• The ability to live in Fort Portal and travel unexpectedly to research sites

Supervisory Controls:
• The candidate will report directly to Pharmacist, and Technically to the Program Manager

Job application procedure

1. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online ( www.muwrp.org/careers/ ) by submitting an application letter, resume, copies of academic certificates in a 1 PDF or word document, including three referees (who are not relatives) and one of which should be your current supervisor. Indicate their daytime telephone contacts and email addresses.
2. Any form of canvassing will lead to disqualification.
3. Failure to follow application guidelines will lead to automatic disqualification.
4. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

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