Pharmacy Technician, Research

The Pharmacy Technician III, Research is responsible for providing technical support to research pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. 

The Pharmacy Technician III, Research responsibilities include regulatory and compliance duties such as projects, audits and process improvement initiatives.  The Pharmacy Technician III, Research conducts the training and orientation processes of new pharmacy employees and may staff in other pharmacy locations/areas as required.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

This position is 100% On Site.

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 managing, 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 research pharmacy accountability system.
• Participates in leading monitor visit activities (meet with internal and external monitors and responds to questions regarding inventory control and documentation).
• Performs sterile compounding of hazardous drugs in compliance with USP <797>, USP <800>, DFCI policies and procedures and research protocols, including complex compounding processes such as serial dilution, mixing multiple ingredients, etc.
• 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 location of study supply.
• Prepares or compounds extemporaneous products using appropriate technique and in compliance with USP <795>.
• 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.

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 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• 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.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.