Pharmacy Research Technician

Scope of Position

Research pharmacy technicians (RPTs), under the direction of a licensed pharmacist and in coordination with other RPTs, manage investigational product (IP) and provide technical direction and assistance with clinical trial protocols.
An RPT may prepare or compound study medications for dispensing to patients, coordinate and deliver IP to pharmacies, infusion rooms, and clinics throughout the health system.
Additionally, an RPT assists in compliance with The Joint Commissions (TJC) medication management standards, as well as FDA, GCP, USP <795>, USP <797>, USP <800>, Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, and other regulatory bodies.
Working collaboratively with other staff, RPTs are responsible for maintaining IP accountability via an electronic drug accountability system and maintaining appropriate levels of IP based on anticipated accrual and dispensing needs of patients enrolled in clinical trials.
Successful RPTs demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team, exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a high level of organizational skills.
RPTs must successfully navigate interactions with external customers and partners in a professional and respectful manner while maintaining the study blind.
RPTs must participate in continuing educational opportunities to meet annual competency requirements, complete research required trainings, and participate in continual training opportunities to develop ongoing skills in other areas of pharmacy practice.
Other trainings as designated may be required.

In FY19 the Investigational Drug Service (IDS) managed 613 active protocols, oversaw 14,058 investigational dispenses, participated in 22 audits, 863 monitor visits, and generated 1320 unique investigational drug orders, and had $5.7M in expenses.

Position Summary

This position functions to assist the licensed pharmacist in providing patient care services to patients enrolled in clinical trials.
This position provides necessary services and information to research, pharmacy, nursing and medical staff.
These services include preparation and packaging of medications; distribution of medications, supplies and equipment; maintaining proper inventory levels; ensuring medications are in date, secure, and stored appropriate.
Other services include keeping appropriate records and documentation, and submitting billing charges to the appropriate research finance groups.
This position is also responsible for supporting initiatives of area supervisors and managers.
This position assists with sponsor site visits and associated documentation.

Job Relationships

Supervisory Responsibility:
None

Contacts:
Daily contact with pharmacists, members of the clinical research team, physicians, nurses, pharmacy technicians, and sponsor personnel (monitors).
Daily contact also possible with pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, graduate students, undergraduate students, and pharmacy administration.

Responsible to:
Investigational Drug Service Manager

Physical/Visual/Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

-Occasionally move up to 50 pound objects (i.e.
when receiving IP orders) from one level to another.

• Regularly transport up to 250 pound objects (e.g.
  IV admixtures, stock boxes)
• Occasionally push up to 300 pound objects (e.g.
  biohazard boxes, carts, crash carts, ATS carts) so that the object moves toward you.
  

-Frequently remain in one position without moving about (e.g.
compounding study medications, filling retail medications)

-Maneuver around area (e.g.
preparing medications, placing stock, answering door, facilitating monitor visits)

-Simultaneously perform multiple functions accurately, including answering phone and emails, answering questions from monitors, and arranging medication deliveries

-Work at the computer and phone workstation for extended periods to coordinate deliveries and communicate with members of the clinical research team and associated healthcare personnel

-Regularly obtain medications from stock

-Maneuver in any direction (e.g.
obtaining medications from various heights (floor to 8'), obtaining supplies, compounding study medications)

-Constantly handle items by seizing (e.g.
compounding study medications, grasping syringes, and other supplies, opening medication packages, answering telephones)

-Manipulate objects (e.g.
working with unit dose pharmaceuticals, dialing telephone, manipulating syringes and other pharmacy supplies, packaging pharmaceuticals, using a scanner, computer keyboard)

-Properly handle medications stored at various temperature requirements (e.g.
retrieve-frozen medications and/or medications from warming boxes and/or incubators)

-Produce clear, intelligible speech and written correspondence 100% of the time (e.g.
communication with hospital and pharmacy staff about medication orders)

-Understand verbal and written communication 100% of the time (e.g.
communication with hospital and pharmacy staff about medication orders

-Read very small print that is present on medication vials.

Work Environment

The work involves risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, additional safety education and/or health risk monitoring, e.g.
working around moving parts, carts, machines; working with sharps (i.e.
needles, syringes, etc.), medications (i.e.
chemotherapy, antibiotics, ionizing radiation, etc.), chemicals (i.e.
laboratory and/or cleaning agents).
Employee may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks or gloves when compounding medications

Note:
The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job.
They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.