M

Pharmacist

Mater Hospital Nairobi

Nairobifull time~KES 70k – 100k/mo3w ago

Quick Take

The Role

You will dispense medications, counsel patients, review prescriptions for safety and appropriateness, and manage pharmacy inventory within a busy hospital setting.

You Need

A Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, a valid Pharmacy and Poisons Board licence, and at least 2 years of hospital pharmacy experience are the key requirements.

You Get

This role offers a competitive salary of KES 70,000–100,000/month, the stability of a well-established Nairobi hospital, and the chance to make a direct impact on patient health outcomes.

Job Description

Role Overview

Mater Hospital Nairobi, one of the country's leading healthcare institutions, is looking to bring on board a dedicated and qualified Pharmacist to strengthen its active hospital pharmacy department. This is an exciting opportunity for a pharmacy professional to contribute meaningfully to patient care within a reputable and fast-paced hospital environment in Nairobi.

The successful candidate will be part of a committed team focused on delivering safe, accurate, and patient-centred pharmaceutical services. You will play a central role in ensuring that medications are dispensed responsibly and that the pharmacy operates in full compliance with all applicable regulations.

Key Responsibilities
  • Accurately dispense prescribed medications to patients while providing clear counselling on correct usage, dosage, and potential side effects
  • Critically review incoming prescriptions to assess therapeutic appropriateness and flag any concerns to the relevant clinical staff
  • Oversee and manage pharmacy inventory, including monitoring stock levels, coordinating procurement, and minimising wastage
  • Ensure that all pharmacy operations remain fully compliant with pharmacy regulations and established hospital policies
Required Skills & Experience
  • A Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from a recognised institution
  • A current and valid licence issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya
  • A minimum of two years of experience working in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred
  • Strong attention to detail and a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical dispensing practices
  • Good communication skills, particularly the ability to counsel patients in a clear and empathetic manner
  • Ability to work effectively within a busy, multidisciplinary healthcare team
Who Should Apply

This position is best suited to a licensed pharmacy professional who thrives in a structured hospital environment and is genuinely passionate about patient safety and quality pharmaceutical care. Candidates who have previously worked in hospital pharmacy settings and are comfortable managing both clinical and administrative pharmacy functions will be at a distinct advantage. If you are detail-oriented, self-motivated, and eager to grow your career within a well-established Nairobi hospital, this role is an excellent fit for you.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications to Mater Hospital Nairobi. Ensure your application includes an up-to-date curriculum vitae, copies of your academic and professional certificates, and proof of your valid Pharmacy and Poisons Board licence. Applications should be addressed to the Human Resources Department at Mater Hospital Nairobi. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree from a recognised institution
  • Valid Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya licence
  • Ability to accurately dispense medications and counsel patients
  • Knowledge of pharmacy regulations and compliance requirements
  • Experience reviewing prescriptions for therapeutic appropriateness

Nice to Have

  • 2+ years of hospital pharmacy experience
  • Experience with pharmacy inventory management and procurement systems
  • Familiarity with hospital electronic health record (EHR) or pharmacy management software
  • Post-graduate training or certification in clinical pharmacy

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive to above-market salary for a hospital Pharmacist in Nairobi

Entry-level hospital pharmacists in Kenya typically earn between KES 50,000–75,000/month, making this range of KES 70,000–100,000 competitive and attractive, especially for candidates with 2+ years of experience. Pay in this field is influenced by the type of facility (private vs. public), years of experience, specialisation, and whether the role involves clinical or supervisory responsibilities.

About Mater Hospital Nairobi

M

Mater Hospital Nairobi is a leading private, Catholic-founded hospital located in the South B area of Nairobi, with a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to Kenyans since 1962. The hospital offers a wide range of medical services including surgery, maternity, oncology, and intensive care, serving tens of thousands of patients annually across the region. Working at Mater Hospital means joining a respected institution with a strong ethical foundation, experienced multidisciplinary teams, and a mission-driven culture focused on patient dignity and care excellence.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Can you walk us through your process for verifying and dispensing a prescription — how do you check for therapeutic appropriateness and potential drug interactions?

  • 2

    Describe a situation where you identified a prescribing error or a potentially harmful drug interaction. How did you handle it?

  • 3

    How have you managed pharmacy inventory in a previous role, and what steps did you take to prevent stockouts or wastage of critical medications?

  • 4

    How do you approach counselling a patient who is resistant to or confused about their medication regimen?

  • 5

    What steps do you take to ensure your practice remains compliant with Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board regulations and current pharmaceutical standards?

Application Tips

  • Prominently feature your valid Pharmacy and Poisons Board licence number and renewal status on your CV — this is a non-negotiable requirement and should be immediately visible to the hiring team.

  • Quantify your hospital pharmacy experience where possible, for example by mentioning the volume of prescriptions processed daily, the size of the pharmacy team you worked in, or any measurable improvements you made to inventory management.

  • Highlight any direct patient counselling experience or clinical pharmacy exposure, as this signals you can add value beyond dispensing and aligns with the patient-centred culture of a hospital like Mater.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Intern Pharmacist (pre-registration)
Pharmacy Technologist in a hospital or retail setting

Where this leads

Senior Pharmacist or Lead Hospital Pharmacist
Pharmacy Manager or Director of Pharmacy Services

Skills & Keywords

pharmacyhealthcarehospitalppb

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • The salary range of KES 70,000–100,000/month is transparent, clearly stated, and competitive for this level of role in Nairobi's private healthcare sector.
  • Mater Hospital is one of Nairobi's most reputable and long-established private hospitals, offering strong institutional credibility and career stability.
  • The role covers a broad scope of pharmacy practice — dispensing, clinical review, inventory, and compliance — providing rich day-to-day learning and professional development opportunities.
  • Working in a high-volume hospital pharmacy provides direct patient impact and exposure to complex, multi-therapeutic cases that accelerate professional growth.

Watch Out

  • The job description does not mention specific benefits such as medical cover, pension, or leave entitlements, which are important considerations for a hospital role and worth clarifying before accepting an offer.
  • The posting does not specify whether this is a day-shift-only role or requires night/weekend rotations — shift patterns in a busy hospital pharmacy can significantly affect work-life balance and should be confirmed at interview.

A Day in the Life

☀️

A typical week at Mater Hospital's pharmacy begins with reviewing overnight prescription queues and ensuring the dispensary is stocked and ready for morning ward rounds and outpatient clinics. Throughout the day, you'll be dispensing medications, counselling patients on dosage and potential side effects, and collaborating with doctors and nurses to flag potential drug interactions or prescribing concerns. Mid-week might involve a procurement review or stocktake to manage inventory levels, alongside staying current with PPB compliance requirements and internal audit documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to apply for the Pharmacist role at Mater Hospital Nairobi?

You need a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from a recognised institution and a valid licence from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya. At least 2 years of hospital pharmacy experience is preferred but may not be strictly mandatory.

Is the Pharmacist position at Mater Hospital Nairobi a remote or on-site role?

This is a fully on-site role based at Mater Hospital in Nairobi, as the nature of dispensing medications and counselling patients in a hospital setting requires physical presence.

How much does a Pharmacist earn at Mater Hospital Nairobi?

The advertised salary range is KES 70,000–100,000 per month, which is competitive relative to the Kenyan hospital pharmacy market, with the actual offer likely depending on your years of experience and qualifications.

What are the career growth opportunities for a Pharmacist at Mater Hospital Nairobi?

Starting in this role gives you exposure to a high-volume, multi-specialty hospital environment, which can lead to progression into Senior Pharmacist, Pharmacy Manager, or clinical specialisation roles. Mater Hospital's size and reputation also provide networking and continuing education opportunities within Kenya's healthcare sector.

Free Match Score

See how well you match this job

Upload your CV and get an instant AI score showing exactly how well your experience matches this Pharmacist role. Free, takes 30 seconds.

Get My Match Score — Free

No credit card needed

Boost your chances

AI-tailored for: Pharmacist at Mater Hospital Nairobi