Pharmacists / Senior Pharmacists - Noguchi Memorial Institute

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research hereby invites internal applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of
PHARMACISTS/SENIOR PHARMACISTS.

Job Summary

The job role requires the conduct of Clinical Trials to stimulate cutting-edge research. The position is full-time with a commitment to the development and delivery of a pharmacy service for Clinical Trials involving medicinal substances (pharmaceuticals).

As part of a team, the successful candidate will be expected to provide other pharmacy services including dispensary, procurement, and clinical pharmacy services.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate, collaborate and provide expertise in support of clinical drug trials.
• Provide accurate and efficient dispensing of medication.
• Provide direct and functional supervision and maintain overall responsibility for pharmacy operations in assigned areas.
• Perform cross-functional duties including those of the Admixture Pharmacist.
• Develop and maintain policies and guidelines for pharmaceutical clinical trials that support and facilitate Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Act as research expertise to advise on trial design, procurement of Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP), randomization blinding and documentation for in-house Clinical Trials.
• Maintain communication with research staff, pharmacy, and Principal Investigator of Clinical Trials.
• Support grantsmanship and collaboration on other research consistent with the job classification, as required to promote linkage between research and industry.

Specific Duties

• Develop and review Clinical Pharmaceutical Trial proposals and liaise with Specialist Clinical Teams to assess potential ethical issues, and feasibility including Pharmacy capability and capacity to support the proposal.
• Submit all Clinical Trial Proposals to the FDA and Research and Ethics Committee.
• Ensure that all pharmacy FDA queries are resolved during the feasibility and study set-up phase.
• Support the Principal Investigator of the Clinical Trials in applying for Clinical Trial Authorization.
• Support the Principal Investigator in the maintenance of study site documentation to the standard required by the Clinical Research Organization.
• Liaise with other clinical trial centres to assure standardized practice.
• Support good clinical practice, good manufacturing practice and current national and international regulatory requirements as appropriate.
• Ensure the appropriate and timely authorization and dispensing of IMP as required.
• Provide appropriate advice to clinicians, nursing staff and patients on taking Investigational medical products as per the clinical trial protocol guidelines.
• Facilitate the training of students, clinicians, nursing staff and allied health professionals on good clinical trial conduct and practice liaising with accredited education providers where necessary.
• Attend study site meetings as required including feasibility, set up, initiation and study close out.
• Support the provision of appropriate trial participant counselling in the use of their IMP.
• Maintain a pharmacy binder which contains a study summary, protocol, dispensing procedures, completed samples of required paperwork,
  dispensing checklist, billing procedures and any other relevant materials for each investigational trial.
• Maintain and coordinate distribution of an up-to-date University of Ghana clinical investigational drug trials list, as scheduled.
• Maintain temperature monitoring and cold chain of investigational drugs and vaccines.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Candidate must possess BPharm/PharmD and a Master’s degree (MSC/MPH/MPhil) in a relevant area from a recognized university.
• Must be registered with the Pharmacy Council/Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana
• At least three (3) years of relevant post-qualification experience, for a Pharmacist and at least six (6) years for a Senior Pharmacist preferably working in a research facility and possessing the requisite knowledge in clinical trials.
• Experience in conducting and managing clinical trials will be an advantage.
• Exceptional team player and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and flexible working hours.

Location: Accra