Medical Service Trip Volunteer Pharmacist

Medical Service Trip Volunteer Pharmacist

Position Description

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

About Our Organization Health Horizons International (HHI) is a US-based non-profit organization working to improve community health and expand access to quality health care in impoverished communities of the Dominican Republic. Our model includes a unique community health workers (cooperadores de salud) program, continuity of care through primary health care field clinics, and a commitment to public health research and project development. We work to address health issues in partnership with local communities through our year-round on-the-ground presence, while also leveraging the knowledge and passion of international volunteers and supporters.

About the Position Pharmacists are responsible for managing a mobile pharmacy in a field clinic setting during a week-long medical service trip (MST). Pharmacists provide direct service and oversee volunteers in filling prescriptions for over 400 patients, including:

• Individuals in HHI's Chronic Care Program for hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, and asthma. Patients in this program are seen every four months in an HHI field clinic, and are supported year-round by an HHI community health worker (cooperador de salud).
• Adult and pediatric patients for acute complaints. The most common diagnoses are URIs, gastrointestinal issues, vaginal infections, parasitic infection, and topical skin infections.

Pharmacists collaborate with a team of clinicians, who provide primary health care consultations to patients and are responsible for prescribing medications. HHI maintains a set medication formulary based on World Health Organization guidelines and the Dominican Ministry of Public Health's national formulary.

Responsibilities

• Provide HHI with copy of pharmacist license at least 30 days in advance of MST.
• Participate in on-site orientation to learn HHI clinic systems and protocols for pharmacy management.
• Manage pharmacy inventory and record-keeping on a daily basis, under supervision of the Clinical Programs Director.
• Fill prescriptions according to HHI Medication Formulary and clinician treatment plans.
• Maintain documentation in individual patients' medical records.
• Collaborate with community health worker, medical interpreters and MDs to educate patients about their treatment regimen.
• Collaborate with HHI staff and local partner physicians regarding any questions about treatment standards.
• Educate and mentor student volunteers.

Qualifications

• Current pharmacist license.
• Significant work or volunteer experience with vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of global health issues and poverty.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues and team members.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole is desirable.

Commitment and Cost Details

• The MSTs are: August 31-September 7, 2013; January 11-18, 2014; May 3-10, 2014; August 30-September 6, ,2014. Applicants must be able to commit to one of the entire one-week terms.
• The cost of the MST is $600 for double occupancy hotel accommodations or $705 for private hotel accommodations. Training, supplies, accommodations and meals, and local transportation are all included. A round-trip flight to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, is the responsibility of volunteers.

Application Instructions

Please email a cover letter and resume to info@hhidr.org. Candidates will be contacted within one week of submitting their application.

For more information, visit us online:

www.hhidr.org

Health Horizons International /

Horizontes de Salud

United States Dominican Republic

One Regency Drive Calle el Silencio #18

Bloomfield CT 06002 USA Montellano

860.243.3977 Puerto Plata, Rep. Dom.

829.708.2100