Chemo Prep Tech

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation’s largest community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established in 1976 in Nashville, our mission remains unchanged: to provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home.

About the role

We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve. The technician will safely and aseptically prepare chemotherapy and other medications for patients, manage the Nucleus system, and maintain an accurate and organized record of all transactions occurring in the mixing room.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and dispense chemotherapy and other medications using proper aseptic technique within the biological safety cabinet (BSC).
• Follow clean room guidelines and accurately prepare IV solutions and other sterile products.
• Maintain accuracy in processing orders to ensure timely dispensing.
• Verify patient information, physician authorization, and completeness of medication orders.
• Interpret the appropriateness of medication orders before preparation.
• Evaluate critical patient information, including CBC results, prior to admixture; notify RN if questions arise.
• Check orders for insurance approval before admixing.
• Calculate cycle and day to ensure correct treatment timing.
• Recalculate drug doses as a verifier and select appropriate diluents.
• Mix chemotherapy and other drugs accurately as ordered by the physician, following policies and procedures.
• Prepare chemotherapy in syringes, label them, and place them beside the appropriate bag for RN validation.
• Ensure RN verifies medication order, medication, dose, and syringe contents prior to adding to diluent.
• Affix completed labels to bags or syringes, initial them, and distribute according to clinic guidelines.
• Dispense medications following organizational policies and procedures, placing them in transport bags for nursing staff.
• Prepare continuous infusion pumps according to physician orders; ensure RN verifies settings before distribution.
• Maintain CADD pump log, clean pumps, and prepare pump packs for reuse.
• Perform daily and monthly Nucleus duties as outlined in the Nucleus policy and procedure manual.
• Inventory all medications at the end of each workday and maintain a two-day level of target drugs using the Pharmacy Report.
• Maintain the indigent patient drug program for the assigned clinic.
• Properly document patient information in the EMR and generate/review daily clinical reports for appropriate personnel.
• Maintain all clinical logs and assist nursing staff with stocking supplies, clinic organization, and clean-up.
• Provide orientation and training to newly hired pharmacy technicians.
• Keep work area and equipment clean and neat; aseptically clean the BSC at the beginning and end of each shift and after spills.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as outlined in policy and procedure manuals.
• Properly dispose of all waste materials used in mixing chemotherapy or non-chemotherapy drugs.
• Clean BSC daily or as stated in policy and procedures.
• Handle chemotherapy and hazardous drugs following all safety standards; use PPE and chemotherapy spill kits appropriately.
• Maintain current technician certification and provide documentation of annual attendance at a seminar on aseptic preparation of parenteral products and safe handling of cytotoxic drugs.

Requirements

• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to take direction and effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Ability to build rapport with patients to deliver exceptional direct patient care.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Patient service-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• Professionally certified pharmacy technician.
• Chemotherapy admixture experience preferred but not required.