Medicine Dispenser

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

 

Accountabilities

•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 Ensuring returned and out-of-date medication is safely removed to a well designated quarantine zone for unwanted pharmaceuticals, separated from the normal stock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). 

•Carrying out Patient Therapeutic Education (PTE) and interacting with patient using a patient based approach to accompany chronic disease (HIV, TB, etc.) patients along their visits. Receiving patients, informing about treatment and adherence, giving appointment for the next drug delivery. 

•Understanding, recording and informing on any complaint received from patients related to medicine use or side effects.

•Prepare and organize medications and supplies for mobile clinics prior to each visit to health facilities, ensuring all necessary items are included based on the medical team data about expected patient load. 

•Supports the Pharmacy Supervisor or NAM in maintaining standard procedures in the Pharmacy or Medical Stock, includes support in recording IN and OUT from the stock cards, support in inventory, organization and arrangement of the different medical supplies in shelves or boxes according to GSDP 

•Ensure proper labeling and documentation of medications dispensed during mobile clinics, maintaining clear records for accountability (name, dosage, expiry, batch, posology). 

•Provide patient counseling on prescribed medications, including dosage, administration, potential side effects, and adherence strategies, to promote understanding and compliance according to MSF guidelines.  

•Maintain accurate mobile clinic inventory records in real-time, adjusting for dispensed medications and notifying the pharmacy supervisor or NAM of any discrepancies or urgent replenishment needs. 

•Collaborate with the medical team to clarify prescriptions and ensure that patients receive appropriate medication based on their health conditions. 

•Adhere to infection prevention and control measures during dispensing and patient interactions, ensuring a safe environment for both patients and team members.  

•Monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and protocols regarding the handling and dispensing of medications in mobile healthcare settings, including controlled medications. 

•Provide timely reports/communication on stock usage, patient interactions, and any incidents or challenges encountered during mobile clinic operations to the pharmacy supervisor and/or NTS/NAM. 

•Attend any mandatory training on pharmacy protocols and procedures and any other training opportunity the project might propose 

•Commitment to working within a diverse and transdisciplinary team and adapting to the unique challenges of the context. 

•Attend MSF general and medical meetings to stay informed about project updates, share insights from the field, and engage with the rest of the team. 

 

* Can be requested to travel and work in both project locations (Jenin and Tulkarem), according to the needs.

* Additional tasks and responsibility can be requested, according to the evolution of the medical activities in the project.  

Education:    •Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or graduation degree from a pharmacy institute 

 

Experience:   •2 Years experience in pharmacy dispensing practices or similar roles 

                       •Desirable experience worked in primary health settings or community.  

                       •Desirable previous experience in NGOs/INGOs 

 

Languages:    ▪Arabic (proficiency) 

                        ▪English (desirable) 

 

                      ▪Organized, proactive and flexible 

                      ▪Practical/Manual work is required, including carrying and arranging medical materials 

                      ▪Frequent travels between different locations will be required