Pharmacist

Position

Pharmacist

Department

Pharmacy

Reports To

IVF Centre Administrator

Job Summary

The Pharmacist is responsible for dispensing medications accurately, maintaining pharmaceutical inventory, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, counseling patients regarding fertility medications, and supporting clinicians in delivering safe and effective reproductive healthcare.

Key Responsibilities

1. Medication Dispensing

• Dispense fertility medications accurately as per prescription.
• Verify prescriptions for dosage, drug interactions, contraindications, and allergies.
• Label medicines correctly with usage instructions.
• Ensure proper documentation of all dispensed medications.

2. IVF Medication Management

• Handle fertility drugs including:
• Gonadotropins
• GnRH agonists and antagonists
• hCG injections
• Progesterone preparations
• Estrogen therapy
• Luteal support medications
• Explain storage conditions (especially refrigerated medications).
• Educate patients on injection timing, administration, and handling.

3. Patient Counseling

• Counsel patients regarding:
• Dosage schedule
• Injection techniques (if applicable)
• Possible side effects
• Missed dose management
• Drug storage requirements
• Reinforce adherence to IVF treatment schedules.

4. Inventory Management

• Maintain adequate stock of medicines and consumables.
• Monitor expiry dates regularly.
• Maintain FEFO (First Expiry First Out) practices.
• Place purchase orders as required.
• Prevent stock shortages of critical IVF medications.

5. Cold Chain Management

• Maintain cold chain for temperature-sensitive drugs (2–8°C).
• Monitor refrigerator temperature logs daily.
• Ensure proper storage during power interruptions.
• Report temperature excursions immediately.

6. Documentation

• Maintain:
• Drug inventory records
• Controlled drug registers
• Purchase records
• Dispensing records
• Temperature logs
• Expiry registers
• Prepare monthly stock reports.

7. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
• Pharmacy Act
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act
• NABH standards (if applicable)
• Biomedical Waste Management Rules
• Maintain valid pharmacy license documentation.

8. Quality Assurance

• Ensure medication safety practices.
• Report medication errors or adverse drug reactions.
• Participate in internal audits.
• Support implementation of SOPs.

9. Coordination

• Coordinate with:
• Fertility specialists
• Nurses
• Embryologists
• Purchase department
• Accounts
• Assist in planning medication requirements for IVF cycles.

10. Customer Service

• Provide courteous and empathetic service.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Address medication-related queries promptly.

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) or Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
• Registered Pharmacist with the State Pharmacy Council
• Valid Pharmacy Registration Certificate

Preferred

• 3-5 years of experience in a fertility centre, hospital, or specialty pharmacy
• Knowledge of IVF medications and cold chain management

Skills Required

• Knowledge of fertility medications
• Good communication skills
• Patient counseling skills
• Inventory management
• Computer proficiency (Hospital Information System/EMR)
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Ethical practice
• Documentation skills

Working Hours

• 9 hour shifts
• Availability during IVF procedures and emergency medication needs