Pharmacy Technician - VIR

Job Title: IDS Pharmacy Technician

Location: Fairfax, VA

Department: Investigational Drug Services (IDS)

Position Type: Direct Hire

Position Overview


The IDS Pharmacy Technician is responsible for supporting investigational drug services through the preparation, dispensing, and accountability of investigational and conventional medications in compliance with applicable pharmacy, research, and safety standards. This role requires advanced knowledge of USP <797> , USP <800> , and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles, with a focus on oncology and clinical research operations.


The IDS Pharmacy Technician ensures protocol integrity, patient safety, and adherence to regulatory standards while maintaining clear communication across interdisciplinary teams to support clinical trial activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Pharmacy Technician License (required) in the state of employment
• Current IV Certification (required) with at least 1 year of sterile compounding experience
• Current Chemotherapy Certification (required) with at least 6 months of hazardous drug mixing experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Protocol Compliance

• Enter concomitant medications into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Prepare investigational products (IP) as per pharmacy manual and site compounding instructions.

Medication Preparation and Dispensing

• Review chemotherapy labels and compounding instructions for accuracy.
• Compound all IV doses for investigational and conventional agents, including hazardous and supportive care medications.
• Maintain proficiency in GCP, GMP, and USP <797>/<800> standards for aseptic and hazardous medication preparation.
• Provide flexible, responsive support to meet patient and research team needs.

Investigational Product and Inventory Management

• Manage IP inventory, ordering, receipt, and return according to protocol requirements.
• Maintain accurate records for IP accountability, temperature monitoring, expiration tracking, and staff training.
• Oversee conventional drug and supply orders, ensuring availability of necessary materials.
• Verify proper IP receipt, storage, and disposal in compliance with SOPs and regulatory standards.
• Review and document oral IP returns and patient medication diaries in Vestigo and eDOCS.
• Assist in monitoring visits and address auditor or monitor queries.

Administrative and Supervisory Duties

• Support development and review of IDS standard operating procedures and workflows.
• Conduct monthly inventories for investigational and conventional products in Vestigo.
• Provide cross-coverage for other IDS technicians as needed.
• Collect and report workload data and performance metrics.
• Assist leadership with documentation and audit preparation.

Education and Training

• Orient IDS staff, residents, and pharmacy students on IDS technician functions and compliance requirements.
• Maintain required continuing education and training (e.g., Texas Pharmacy Technician license, GCP/PHRS).

Data and Documentation Management

• Scan and upload protocol documents, licenses, certifications, and resumes into eDOCS.
• Utilize Vestigo for investigational product and protocol management.

Physical Requirements

• Regular standing and walking for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for compounding tasks.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs regularly.
• Must have corrected vision and hearing within normal range.

Reporting Structure


Reports to the Manager of Investigational Drug Services and collaborates closely with IDS research pharmacists at the assigned location.