Pharmacist - ZAHLE

Period of Performance: Present to December 31st, 2019

Level of Effort:

• Distribution of psychotropic medication to Zahle CMHC patients
• Management of psychotropic medication stock: requests, consumption reports for the Zahle Community Mental Health Center
• Part-time consultant (3 days a week, 10am – 2pm)

Purpose:

This position, in close collaboration with the FPS MHPSS Project Coordinator and programmatic team, oversees and manages the stock of mental health medications at the Zahle CMHC, distributes psychotropic medication to CMHC patients, and provides capacity building on medication-related issues to clinic and SDC staff.

Main Tasks:

• Management of the psychotropic medications in the SDC pharmacy, conducting weekly stock counts, creating consumption reports, providing updates on shortages and soon to expire medication, and requesting new medications as appropriate
• Distribute psychotropic medication to CMHC patients, following prescription provided by the CMHC psychiatrist
• Provide information to patients regarding medication use and side-effects, as needed
• Capacity building of CMHC and SDC staff on medication issues

Scope of Work:

• Develop a comprehensive medication management system for the monitoring of psychotropic medication at the Zahle Community Mental Health Center that includes:
  • Prepare requests for medication from MoPH, YMCA, and IMC, in close coordination with the MHPSS managers, ensuring quality and notional standards apply, based on forecasted clinic needs (expiration dates, proper storage, etc.)
  • Develop, manage and oversee the donation requests and consumption reports in coordination with MHPSS managers and logistics department.
  • Handling of a 3-month buffer stock to avoid shortages.
• Monitor all necessary paper work related to the purchase (if applicable), delivery and consumption of psychotropic medications

• Track and document properly the donated and transferred medications by using the appropriate documents (GIO / GRN / Waybills) and request signature to the appropriate staff.
• Ensure that psychotropic medications are available, appropriately dispensed, properly managed and do a weekly physical inventory of medications.
• Coordinate with MoPH, YMCA and IMC regarding the supply of psychotropic medications to the clinic and any problems encountered.
• Assist and follow up with SDC Director and SDC pharmacist on the process of ensuring and properly managing the psychotropic supply.
• Provide training to the SDC pharmacist and FPS nurses on issues related to the storage of psychotropic medications, stock control, generating stock lists, and the proper handling of medicines, medications side effects and other related topics as required.
• Follow-up on expired drugs and destroyed material, quantification and their subsequent removal from the clinic.
• Ensure proper conditions for storage of psychotropic medications including hygiene and security procedures at the SDC level, according to national regulations.  
• Regularly discuss issues related to medications with the MHPSS Project Coordinator, Team Leader, and psychiatrist, as needed.
• Coordinate with pharmacists working at IMC-supported clinics on pharmacy management issues, as needed.
• Review and implement available list of essential psychotropic medications with the CMHC psychiatrist and MH nurses.
• Any other tasks assigned by direct supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Education/experience
  • At least 1-year experience in a pharmacy dispensing medication.
  • Hold a BS in pharmacy.
  • Preferably registered in the Order of Pharmacists
  • Able to take initiative within a defined framework.
  • Personal interest in community mental health.
  • Previous NGO experience is preferred.

• Skills
  • Advanced knowledge of psychotropic medications
  • Familiarity with the List of Psychotropic and Neurological Medications Recommended by the National Mental Health Programme For Prescription in Humanitarian Setting
  • Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support In Emergency Settings and mhGAP is a plus
  • Good command of English (speaking & writing). Fluent in spoken Arabic
  • Good communication and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Adaptability and flexibility in working within complex and dynamic environment.
  • Excellent skills in presenting complex technical information in an easily comprehensible way.
  • Experience in providing trainings on medication
  • Familiarity with MS Excel

Deliverables:

• Create weekly psychotropic medication consumption reports.
• Conduct physical stock counts weekly.
• Provide a monthly report highlighting pharmacy concerns/needs, expiring medications, medication shortages, capacity building provided, etc.

Location of Work: ​ Zahle with occasional visits to Beirut