Pharmaceutical Technologist - 3 Posts

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the KEMRI e-recruitment portal at erecruitment.kemri.go.ke. Ensure you upload your updated CV, cover letter, and copies of your academic certificates and Pharmacy and Poisons Board license.

Prove You Can Handle Investigational Product Accountability Under Study Pressure

KEMRI's clinical trials run on tight protocols, and the IP room is where compliance either holds or collapses. Hiring managers for this role are not just looking for a diploma holder; they want someone who treats every temperature log, stock count, and dispensing record as audit evidence. Your application needs to show you understand that IP handling is a regulated, documentation-heavy job, not just a storekeeping task.

1. Lead with your PPB registration and license: This is a mandatory requirement, so put your Pharmacy and Poisons Board registration number and license validity right at the top of your CV. If your license is up for renewal, mention the expected date so the panel knows you are proactive. Without a valid PPB license, your application will be filtered out before anyone reads your experience.

2. Quantify your IP handling experience: Instead of writing 'handled investigational products,' state how many studies you supported, the number of participants you dispensed to, and the volume of stock you managed. For example, 'Managed IP inventory for a 200-participant malaria vaccine trial, including daily temperature logging and monthly reconciliation.' Numbers give the hiring manager a clear picture of your capacity.

3. Show you know temperature excursion protocols: The role starts with morning and afternoon charting of IP room temperatures, so be ready to discuss what you do when a fridge or room drifts out of range. Mention any experience with temperature monitoring logs, corrective action forms, and cold chain equipment. The panel will probe whether you understand the difference between documenting an excursion and actually resolving it.

4. Demonstrate research and clinical trial familiarity: Even though research experience is an added advantage, it can set you apart. If you have worked on a study, describe your role in dispensing, randomization, or participant counselling. If you have not, show that you understand Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles and how IP accountability fits into trial audits. Consider taking a free GCP course online and adding it to your CV.

5. Prepare for stock reconciliation questions: Daily, weekly, and monthly stock taking is a core duty, so expect questions on how you handle discrepancies. Talk about your method for tracking expiry dates, batch numbers, and participant returns. A strong answer shows you reconcile physical counts with documentation and escalate gaps immediately, not at the end of the month.

6. Highlight your communication with study staff: The role involves liaising with site study staff and responding to queries, so give examples of how you have coordinated with clinicians, nurses, or monitors. Mention any experience using email or phone to resolve IP-related issues quickly. The panel wants to see you are responsive and can keep a paper trail without being prompted.

7. Show attention to detail in your application itself: Since detail orientation is mandatory, your CV and cover letter must be flawless. Check for typos, ensure dates are consistent, and attach all required documents in the correct format. A messy application undermines your claim of being detail-oriented, especially for a role that revolves around accurate documentation.

8. Prepare for scenario-based questions on dispensing: You will likely be asked how you would handle a participant who misses a dose or returns unused IP. Walk the panel through your step-by-step process: verify participant identity, check the prescription, document the dispensing, and provide clear usage instructions. Mention that you would report any deviations to the supervisor and study coordinator immediately. This shows you can follow protocol while keeping participant safety central.