Research Pharmacy Technician

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Pharmacy Department seeks a Pharmacy Technician I, Research to provide technical support for research pharmacy operations under supervision of a licensed pharmacist. You will fill medication orders, manage inventories, and document quality checks in collaboration with a research team.

This role requires Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician or Trainee, with PTCB certification to be obtained within 2 years of hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician or Technician Trainee.
• PTCB certification must be obtained within 2 years of hire or Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern License is required.

Responsibilities

• Fills medication orders according to policy and maintains inventory.
• Performs sterile and non-sterile compounding per USP<797>/<800> and protocols.
• Ensures timely completion of medication orders and supplies.
• Uses EHR and inventory systems to document duties and troubleshoot issues.
• Maintains Pharmacy inventory, shelves, rotations, and cycle counts.
• Trains other employees and participates in department meetings.
• May cross-cover other locations or areas as needed.
• Receives, barcodes, transfers, and destroys investigational drugs in research pharmacy system.
• Adheres to regulatory audits and sponsor visits.

Skills

Pharmaceutical calculations

Pharmacy technology systems

Aseptic technique

Sterile compounding

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Written communication

Clinical research platforms

Regulatory audits

Analytical thinking

Education

Massachusetts Pharmacy Registration

PTCB Certification (within 2 years)

Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern License (if applicable)

Tools

EHR systems

Inventory management systems

Clinical research systems

Job description

The Pharmacy Department at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute places emphasis on the values of reliability, professionalism, cooperation, teamwork, communication, positivity and inclusiveness. The Pharmacy Technician I, Research is responsible for providing technical support to research pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

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.

• 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, while gaining proficiency with advanced 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
• Performs and document quality control steps as required
• Performs cleaning of sterile and non-sterile areas of the pharmacy as assigned
• Trains other employees as assigned
• Communicates and escalates issues or problems
• 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
• Receives, barcodes, transfers, and destroys investigational drugs in research pharmacy accountability system
• 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.
• Ensures compliance with shared DF/HCC policies regarding investigational storage, handling, transferring of investigational product
• 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
• May be assigned to areas of Research Pharmacy such as receiving, processing, monitor visits, clean room, the outpatient pharmacy, or the Chestnut Hill location

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations
• Ability to utilize pharmacy technology systems
• Ability to develop proficiency and mastery in aseptic technique and the compounding of sterile products
• Ability to develop proficiency and mastery 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 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
• Ability to utilize clinical research platforms/systems
• Ability to support sponsor visits and regulatory audits
• Ability of analytical skills and critical thinking

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior work experience as a pharmacy technician is not required. The position also requires Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician Trainee. National Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB) must be obtained within 2 years of hire, or a Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern License is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

PATIENT CONTACT:

None

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 characteristics protected by law.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$53,019.20 - $64,313.60