Volunteer, Pharmacist in Peterborough

International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through healthcare training and relief and development programs. Founded in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity worldwide.

When catastrophe hits, International Medical Corps is often one of the first humanitarian aid organizations on the scene providing rapid and effective aid that saves lives, reduces suffering, and promotes self-reliance. International Medical Corps provides safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care; offers needs-based response according to the context and type of sudden onset disaster (SOD) and/or outbreak in the affected nation; adopts a human rights-based approach to its response; ensures it is accessible to all sections of the population affected by the SOD and/or outbreak, particularly the vulnerable; and treats patients in a medically ethical manner.

This position will support International Medical Corps’ emergency response delivering outpatient clinical care to disaster-affected populations. Candidates applying to this position are indicating that they are interested in being considered for International Medical Corps’ standby roster for emergency response. Roster members will be contacted only when there is an emergency-response need for which the responder is qualified. This position will not be compensated unless responders are deployed to an emergency response.

The primary responsibility of the Volunteer, Pharmacist is to support the proper medical treatment of patients in an emergency setting. The Volunteer, Pharmacist prepares medications by reviewing and interpreting physician orders; verifying correct dosages and detecting therapeutic incompatibilities.

• Ensure pharmaceutical services are implemented according to internationally accepted standards and/or relevant Ministry of Health guidelines.
• Provide oversight for the ordering of drugs and medical commodities and any Gifts in Kind (GIK).
• Establish standardized data collection tools and train staff on accurate data collection to track pharmaceutical consumption.
• Work with the logistics and finance departments to ensure regular and adequate pharmaceutical and medical commodity levels are maintained to prevent stockouts.
• Assist in hiring necessary pharmacy staff.
• Analyze training needs and institute training for staff members.
• Work with the medical team to provide standardized data to the International Medical Corps reporting and data management system.
• Review documentation to confirm that appropriate pharmaceuticals were in fact provided to the beneficiaries.
• Package and label prescriptions and counsel patients on their proper use and potential adverse events.
• Coordinate with the Medical Coordinator, the Logistics Coordinator and the Team Lead to ensure correct demobilization and proper disposition of pharmaceuticals.

Deployed personnel are expected to assist with the setup, maintenance and demobilization of the clinical spaces and base camp as required.

Actively promote PSEA (prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse) standards within International Medical Corps and among beneficiaries served by International Medical Corps. Adhere to the Code of Conduct, maintain humanitarian principles and respect international humanitarian law at all times. Perform other duties as assigned.

Typically, Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) with valid licenses. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Typically, 5+ years of relevant and progressive experience in multiple pharmacy practice settings i.e. community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, research, regulatory affairs, academia etc., including 3+ years should be in resource poor environments or developing countries. Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, donor agencies, government officials, and NGOs. Excellent oral and written communications skills. "Self-Starter" with ability to recognize what needs to be done without instruction. Able to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently. Flexible and able to cope with stressful situations. Able to relate to and motivate local staff. Creative and able to work with limited resources. Excellent decision-making skills. Fluency in written and spoken English is required; fluency in Spanish, French or Arabic is desirable.

In addition to the responsibilities referenced above, candidates can expect to be living and working in austere conditions. Lifting moderately heavy objects from the ground, carrying a backpack for extended periods of time, and walking or hiking in remote locations may be necessary to perform these functions. International Medical Corps is a first responder to natural and man-made disasters and has a mandate of working in remote locations.

As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report.

It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons.

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.