Advanced Pharmacy Technician - Investigational Drugs

MD Anderson Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits (no premium)

Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Assistance

Retirement plans

Job summary

MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX seeks an Advanced Pharmacy Technician to support investigational drug operations within the IDS department. You will ensure safe procurement, preparation, dispensing, and accurate documentation of investigational medications through collaboration with physicians, researchers, nurses, and study coordinators.

The ideal candidate holds a High School Diploma, state-licensed Pharmacy Technician with TSBP and PTCB or NHA certification, and has at least 3 years

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and Pharmacy Technician certification with Texas State Board of Pharmacy and PTCB/NHA.
• At least 3 years of Pharmacy Technician experience in a hospital, infusion center, or retail.
• Pre-employment skills test required.
• Current TX license and TSBP certification preferred or required as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Independently conducts audits of investigational drug inventories and reconciles study drug records with dispensing documentation.
• Identifies, investigates, and resolves inventory discrepancies.
• Maintains inspection readiness and supports CAPA plans when needed.
• Tracks and communicates audit findings with pharmacists, study teams, auditors, and monitors.
• Maintains accurate documentation of inventory transactions and accountability records.
• Coordinates inventory and operational support for HALs and affiliated institutions.

Skills

Advanced Pharmacy Technician

Regulatory Compliance

Inventory Management

Audit & Documentation

Education & Mentorship

Interdepartmental Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Certified Pharmacy Technician (TSBP/PTCB/NHA)

Associate's Degree Preferred

Tools

Pharmacy Information Systems

Inventory Management Software

Job description

The Investigational Drug Services (IDS) Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center plays a critical role in supporting innovative cancer research and clinical trials. Our team collaborates closely with physicians, researchers, nurses, and study coordinators to ensure the safe procurement, preparation, dispensing, and management of investigational medications. Through a commitment to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, IDS helps advance groundbreaking treatments that shape the future of cancer care.

Ideal Candidate

The Ideal candidate for the Advanced Pharmacy Technician will have a High School Diploma and Certified Pharmacy Technician with Texas State Board of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Candidate will have at least 3 years of Pharmacy Technician experience.

Working Hours

The working hours for this position is 8:30a - 5:00p.

Why MD Anderson?

MD Anderson offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families:

• Medical benefits with no employee premium beginning on the first day of employment for employees working 30 or more hours per week
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance Coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB)
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teacher Retirement System (TRS) defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D coverage, and illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Comprehensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs, and employee resource groups

Job-Specific Competencies

1. Communication, Collaboration & Education

• Functions as a highly experienced IDS technician, providing advanced technical expertise and serving as a key communication resource for interdepartmental collaboration and education.
• Supports the Investigational Pharmacy in maintaining compliance with legal, regulatory, institutional, and departmental policies related to investigational drug accountability.
• Promotes collaboration across pharmacy operations, research teams, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Communicates audit findings and inventory discrepancies to pharmacy staff, research teams, study personnel, and leadership in a timely manner.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to pharmacy technicians and support staff regarding inventory management, accountability procedures, and regulatory requirements.

2. Assessment & Research Protocol Audit Functions

• Independently conducts audits of investigational drug inventories and reconciles study drug records with dispensing documentation to ensure accurate accountability.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for identifying, investigating, and resolving inventory discrepancies.
• Assists leadership with maintaining inspection readiness and implementing corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans when necessary.
• Tracks, documents, and communicates audit findings and inventory observations with pharmacists, study teams, auditors, and research monitors on an ongoing basis.

3. Drug Management & Documentation

• Maintains accurate documentation of inventory discrepancies and communications with sponsors, monitors, and auditors.
• Provides timely updates regarding investigational drug inventory status to pharmacy staff, research teams, study coordinators, and leadership.
• Ensures accurate documentation of inventory transactions, ordering activities, and accountability records.
• Coordinates inventory and operational support for expanded research services, including Houston Area Locations (HALs) and affiliated institutions.
• Compiles, documents, and communicates findings to pharmacy leadership, research personnel, study coordinators, research nurses, and sponsors.
• Assists with tracking investigational drug returns, replacements, expired inventory, and related documentation using designated departmental systems and databases.
• Supports drug return and expired medication destruction processes in accordance with sponsor requirements and institutional, state, and federal regulations.

4. Other Duties

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Required: Certificate from an accredited Pharmacy technician training program or Associate's Degree Preferred: Bachelor's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 3 years Pharmacy technician experience in a hospital, infusion center or retail pharmacy.
• Additional two years experience may substitute for required Certificate from an accredited Pharmacy technician training program or associate's degree.
• Preferred: Pharmacy experience training staff and experience in a leadership role.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: PHTR - Reg Pharmacy Technician Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP).
• Required: CPHT - Certified Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Health career Association (NHA).
• Preferred: Related PTCB assessment-based or nationally recognized certificates.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html