Research Pharmacist
DepartmentClinical Research Unit
EntityAga Khan University
LocationNairobi, Kenya
Introduction
Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.
Job Summary
The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) is seeking a Research Pharmacist who will coordinate, collaborate on, and provide expertise in support of clinical trials using both investigational and conventional oncologic and non-oncologic agents; performing education and training responsibilities to those within in and outside of the CRU; providing accurate and efficient dispensing of medication; providing direct and/or functional supervision; maintaining overall responsibility for pharmacy operations in assigned area; performing cross-functional duties including those of the oncology/IV admixture pharmacist, patient care.
Responsibilities
Maintains responsibility for clinical investigational drug trials from a pharmacy perspective
- Reviews of protocols for clinical drug trials
- Liaises with study investigators and other research staff to establish pharmacy’s roles, determine fee schedules, and to implement dispensing, compounding, and budgeting procedures
- Communicates with and trains staff anticipated to participate in any aspect of the clinicalinvestigational drug trial on the drugs involved.
- Creates and maintains a study pharmacy binder, containing such components as study summary, protocol, dispensing procedures, completed samples of required paperwork, dispensing checklist, fee schedule, billing procedures and any other relevant materials for each investigational trial.
- Maintains responsibility for the management of the inventory for clinical investigational drug trials; orders, replaces and returns study materials, as required.
- Assists in ensuring the involvement of the CRU pharmacy in clinical trials which involve drugs, as necessary
Ensures staff is trained adequately
- Maintains continuous professional development for pharmacy role
- Orientates staff to pharmacy’s role with respect to clinical investigational drug trials
- Participates in the orientation and training of new employees, as required
- Conduct periodic refresher training sessions for staff on topics such as investigational drugs handling, storage and documentation.
- Provides drug information to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, as related to clinical investigational drug trials and new FDA-approved drugs
Provides accurate and efficient dispensing of medication
- Monitors pharmacy activities to ensure adherence to study protocols’ and AKUH,N dispensing procedures
Administrative responsibilities
- Attends and contributes to interdisciplinary team meetings relating to clinical investigational drug trials
- Monitors pharmacy activities to ensure adherence to proper inventory record maintenance and timely and accurate billing as required to support clinical investigational drug trials
- Participates in the development of software programs designed to facilitate management of clinical investigational drug trials
- Completes reports including incident reports, adverse drug reaction reports, etc., as required.
- Collaborates in the identification and development of revenue-generating opportunities, as appropriate.
- Preparation of budgets related to investigational drug trials from pharmacy perspective.
Provides direct and/or functional supervision, maintain overall responsibility for pharmacy operations in assigned area
- Oversees activity and is responsible for Pharmacy Technologist working in CRU
- Supervises and provides directions to technical staff
Oversee preparation of and administration of study agents
- Delegates work assignments and checks work orders filled by technicians
- Monitors and assures security of narcotics and controlled drugs according to dangerous drug act.
- Provides technical and procedural guidance
Communication responsibilities
- Facilitates rapport with hospital pharmacy department, principal investigators, clinical research team members and trial sponsors.
- Consults with other pharmacy personnel, to obtain information/expertise in support of the investigational drug trials, as required.
- Effectively communicates with colleagues, and allied health professionals.
- Liaises with external agencies/organizations, as required.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (BPharm), PharmD, or equivalent Pharmacy degree recognized by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board
- Valid practicing license from the Pharmacy and Poisons Boar
- Registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya
- Training in the following preferred:
- Aseptic techniques
- Investigational product management or research pharmacy
- Handling cytotoxic or hazardous medicines
- Current certification in Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP)
Relevant Experience
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a hospital pharmacy
- Working knowledge of hospital pharmacy and clinical trials services.
- Preference given to candidates with previous oncology experience and research experience.
Personal Characteristics & Behaviours
- Demonstrates supervisory skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment
- Remarkable ability to follow through on tasks assigned.
- Sound knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
- Excellent computer/data entry skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Sound ability to manage the time of self and others
