Sterile Compounding QA Pharmacy Tech III

Pharmacy Technician III

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Working hours:

• Monday-Friday
• Day shift
• Occasional weekend coverage

General Description of the Job Class:

This individual performs, under supervision, a variety of duties in accordance to department procedures, which may be related to the procurement, preparation, distribution and storage of drugs, as well as, provision of clinical pharmacy services according to the Pharmacy's role in ensuring safe medication use. Individuals eligible for pharmacy technician III are competent in all tasks associated with pharmacy technician level I and pharmacy technician level II. Pharmacy technician III staff must achieve and maintain certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The pharmacy technician III coordinates technician staff and activities and/or is responsible for specific advanced duties (e.g., Automated Dispensing Cabinet, Sterile Preparation QA Specialist, Medication Inspection Specialist and Procurement Specialist). The Sterile Compounding Quality Assurance Technician will support Duke University Hospital's Department of Pharmacy by promoting excellence in sterile compounding practices and ensuring compliance with USP 797, institutional policies, and regulatory standards. In collaboration with pharmacy leadership, this role is dedicated to fostering a culture of quality, patient safety, continuous education, and regulatory readiness through comprehensive staff training, competency assessment, and ongoing quality assurance initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level Specialist:

Effectively follows policy and procedures with an in-depth understanding of the designated area

Review and update policy and procedure documents related to technician job functions

Assure consistent, compliant and safe technician work practices to established unit, department, state or federal rules and regulations; assure quality control in the provision of services.

Manage designated responsibilities while being able to shift to help team members

Monitors designated activity, proactively identifies and resolves potential problems, develops and implements solutions to identified problems

Complete and accurate documentation supporting designated activities or procedures is maintained as needed

Create reports for internal purposes to assist in the ongoing monitoring of designated area

Serve as a primary training resource for developing competency in specialty areas

Perform other related duties incidental to work described herein:

• Training and Education
  • Educate and train pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on Duke's sterile compounding standard operating procedures, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
  • Assist in teaching and delivering the Sterile Compounding course for the Duke Technician Training Program's.
  • Conduct initial and ongoing didactic and skills competency assessment for pharmacy personnel performing sterile compounding to ensure continued compliance with USP and departmental standards.
• Quality Assurance and Environmental Control
  • Perform viable environmental monitoring for sterile compounding environments within DUH and surrounding clinics.
  • Support departmental readiness for internal and external regulatory inspections by maintaining accurate documentation and reinforcing compliance with institutional policies and accreditation standards.
• Compliance and Process Improvement
  • Coordinate Sterile Compounding meetings by preparing agendas, documenting meeting discussions, and distributing meeting minutes to committee members.
  • Identify compliance concerns involving personnel practices, facilities, or equipment and communicate findings to pharmacy leadership while supporting corrective and preventive action initiatives.
  • Partner with pharmacy leadership to develop, monitor, and improve quality metrics, key performance indicators, and compliance audit processes that strengthen Duke's sterile compounding program.
• Culture and Operations
  • Participate in weekend coverage on an occasional basis, as required by departmental operations.
  • Promote a culture of patient safety, operational excellence, and continuous quality improvement through effective education, collaboration, and communication with interdisciplinary team members.
  • Contribute to Duke University Hospital's mission of delivering exceptional patient-centered care by upholding the highest standards of sterile compounding quality, regulatory compliance, and professional practice.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of an accredited pharmacy technician-training program.
• or
• Acceptance into pharmacy school.
• or
• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of pharmacy or health care related experience.
• College course work in business/management, position specific advanced coursework, and/or an equivalent combination is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of pharmacy technician experience is required.
• Minimum of two years of sterile compounding experience preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• North Carolina Board of Pharmacy registration is required.
• Pharmacy Technician certification is required from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of drug names, medical terminology and pharmaceutical calculations.
• Proficient computer skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Requires critical thinking skills with ability to implement solutions.
• Excellent customer service skills including prioritizing the needs of patients and multidisciplinary team members while displaying empathy in all interactions to ensure complete satisfaction.
• Strong organizational skills including staying focused on assigned task and using time and resources effectively and efficiently to achieve job expectations.
• Typical physical demands include ability to perform the job while standing, reaching, stretching, stooping, and sitting for prolonged times; manual dexterity sufficient to perform computer, dispensing functions of the job; ability to lift up to 20 lbs., while walking, stooping, bending and reaching.