Pharmacy Technician Research

At the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Pharmacy Department, we emphasize reliability, professionalism, cooperation, teamwork, communication, positivity, and inclusiveness.

About the role

The Pharmacy Technician III, Research provides technical support to research pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This role includes regulatory and compliance duties such as projects, audits, and process improvement initiatives. The technician conducts training and orientation for new pharmacy employees and may staff in other pharmacy locations as required.

Responsibilities

Pharmacy Technician Duties:

• Practices as a pharmacy technician in accordance with all federal, state, DFCI, and Joint Commission policies, regulations, and standards.
• Fills medication orders according to policy, including proficiency with the most complex preparations. Ensures timely completion of medication orders and/or supplies.
• Utilizes multiple systems such as EHR (Electronic Health Record), Inventory Management Systems, and other clinical research systems to complete and document duties. Troubleshoots as necessary.
• Maintains the Pharmacy inventory: sorting, stocking, rotation of stock, expiration date management, and cycle counting. Troubleshoots inventory discrepancies.
• Performs and documents quality control steps as required.
• Performs cleaning of sterile and non-sterile areas of the pharmacy as assigned.
• Conducts the training and orientation of new staff members in any area. Communicates and escalates issues or problems.
• Provides ongoing support to more junior staff. Creates and revises training documentation for staff education.
• Participates in department meetings and functions to promote a successful and efficient pharmacy workgroup.
• May be assigned to cross-cover other locations or areas (e.g., materials management, outpatient, infusion, clean rooms, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Research Technician Duties:

• Receives, barcodes, transfers, and destroys investigational drugs in the research pharmacy accountability system.
• Participates in leading monitor visit activities (meets with internal and external monitors and responds to questions regarding inventory control and documentation).
• Performs sterile compounding of hazardous drugs in compliance with USP, DFCI policies and procedures, and research protocols, including complex compounding processes such as serial dilution and mixing multiple ingredients.
• Coordinates with all DF/HCC member institutions for drug transfer, shipment packaging, and inventory reconciliation.
• Files all paperwork pertaining to inventory control activities.
• Ensures all study medications are maintained in an organized fashion to enable respective staff to clearly identify the location of study supplies.
• Prepares or compounds extemporaneous products using appropriate techniques and in compliance with USP.
• Prepares investigational drug inventory for audits or monitor visits.
• Assists in identifying problems and suggesting improvements.
• May be assigned to areas of Research Pharmacy such as receiving, processing, monitor visits, clean room, the outpatient pharmacy, or the Chestnut Hill location.

Requirements

• Ability to accurately perform complex pharmaceutical calculations.
• Ability to utilize pharmacy technology systems.
• Full proficiency in aseptic technique and the compounding of sterile products.
• Full proficiency in compounding of non-sterile products.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot issues and assist in resolution or escalation to the appropriate resource.
• Ability to effectively work within a collaborative team-focused environment.
• Ability to train and orient new staff.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills (ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment).
• Strong attention to detail.
• Full proficiency in utilizing clinical research platforms/systems.
• Full proficiency in supporting sponsor visits and regulatory audits.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and critical thinking.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for clinical trials.

Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School graduate or currently enrolled in an accredited entry-level degree program for Pharmacy or a related field.

Minimum Experience: 5 years of pharmacy technician experience, with at least 2 years of sterile compounding experience including 1 year of hazardous compounding experience required. For outpatient, at least 2 years of experience in an outpatient or research pharmacy.

License/Certification/Registration: Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician required. National Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB or ExCPT) required. With ExCPT certification, PTCB must be obtained within 1 year of hire date.

Pay

$70,366.40 - $78,457.60