Pharmacy Technician, Research

Overview

The Pharmacy Technician I, Research is responsible for providing technical support to research pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This position is located in the research outpatient pharmacy.

This position’s work location is onsite, full-time on campus in the Longwood area .

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.

Click here to see a video of a "Day in the life of a Pharmacy Technician at Dana-Farber".

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, 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.

Research Technician Duties:

• 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:
High School graduate or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:
Prior work experience as a pharmacy technician not required.

License/Certification/Registration:
Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician or Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy Registration as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee required. National Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB) must be obtained within 2 years of hire date. Or, Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern License.

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.

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 characteristics protected by law.