Pharmacy Technician, Research

Overview

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.

The Research Technician will be responsible for clinical trial audit support, sponsor monitor visits support, provision of documents as requested by internal study teams and/or sponsors, additional review and management of temperature control logs as well as creation and resolution of the blank expiration medication report.

Ongoing regulatory support tasks require a pharmacy technician with clinical trial knowledge. In addition to those mentioned previously, pharmacy regulatory support tasks include scanning and digital document management for pharmacy protocol records, review and QA for protocol closures, drug destructions and returns. Audits require extensive preparation whether they are from a sponsor, FDA or NCI. The preparation for audits currently lies with the Quality, Regulatory and Education Senior Manager and the visits technician when available. Audits and the preparation for them are vital to the success of DFCI research and the research pharmacy. This position will also provide cross coverage for the visits technician and inventory specialists, forming a team that will be able to work in any of these areas as needed.

This position’s work location is on-site, full-time at the Dana-Farber Longwood location.

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

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 committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate 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.

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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