Lead Sterile Compounding Technician – Sterile Compounding Pharmacy
Location: Tempe, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time (Hourly)
Compensation: $35-45/hour depending on experience and qualifications
About Dose Rx
Dose Rx is a new sterile compounding pharmacy located in Tempe, Arizona, dedicated to delivering high-quality compounded medications with an unwavering commitment to quality, patient safety, and regulatory excellence.
This is a unique opportunity to join our founding team during the launch of the pharmacy. Rather than stepping into an established operation, you'll have the opportunity to help build a positive workplace culture centered on quality, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a key member of our team, you'll play an integral role in developing workflows, training staff, implementing best practices, and helping establish the operational foundation of our pharmacy. We value individuals who take ownership, embrace challenges, and are excited to grow alongside our company.
Our initial focus will be supporting hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including sterile testosterone injections, with plans to thoughtfully expand our service offerings as the pharmacy grows and market needs evolve. As we build our operations, we are committed to developing robust quality systems and efficient workflows while maintaining full compliance with USP <797>, USP <800>, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
Position Summary
The Lead Sterile Technician is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the sterile compounding laboratory and supporting the successful launch and growth of Dose Rx's sterile compounding program. This role will lead sterile compounding technicians and other support staff to ensure efficient workflow, regulatory compliance, inventory management, and quality standards.
As one of the first members of the pharmacy operations team, the Lead Sterile Technician will play a key role in building the foundation of the sterile compounding department. This individual will partner with the Pharmacist in Charge (PIC) to help establish the technician team, including assisting with future technician recruitment, interviews, onboarding, and training.
Working closely with the PIC and pharmacy team, the Lead Sterile Technician will help establish workflows, implement standard operating procedures, and build operational processes that support a safe, efficient, and compliant sterile compounding environment. As the pharmacy grows, this individual will serve as a key resource for pharmacists, technicians, and support staff, fostering collaboration and helping maintain a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Initially, this position will report directly to the Pharmacist in Charge. As Dose Rx continues to grow, the reporting structure and leadership responsibilities may evolve to best support the needs of the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Compounding & Cleanroom Operations
- Compound sterile medications independently under Pharmacist supervision, in accordance with USP <797>, USP <800>, and Dose Rx SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
- Coordinate technician and support staff workflow to ensure prescriptions and sterile preparations are processed accurately, safely, and efficiently.
- Follow and help establish safety and environmental monitoring and control procedures, including appropriate use of PPE during daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
- Perform daily, weekly, and monthly cleanroom suite responsibilities, including compounding materials and supplies preparation, equipment calibration, cleaning, dishwashing, and sterilization or depyrogenation of equipment, according to facility SOPs.
- Assist with capacity planning, staffing needs, and workflow adjustments as prescription volume changes.
- Ensure pharmacy work areas remain organized, clean, properly supplied, and inspection ready.
Team Leadership & Training
- Serve as the on-floor lead for pharmacy technicians and non-pharmacist support staff during sterile compounding operations.
- Assist with interviewing new technicians and non-pharmacist support staff.
- Help onboard new technicians by training them on compounding technique, cleanroom procedures, and SOPs.
- Act as an Assigned Trainer and competency evaluator for new hire and ongoing sterile compounding staff, covering core skills such as Garbing and Hand Hygiene, Aseptic Technique, and cleanroom cleaning assessments.
- Coordinate technician workflow on shift to help ensure prescriptions and sterile preparations are processed accurately, safely, and efficiently.
- Provide day-to-day coaching and hands-on guidance to technicians; flag performance or conduct concerns to the Pharmacist-in-Charge as needed.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
Inventory Management
- Monitor day-to-day inventory usage of APIs, chemicals, sterile supplies, packaging materials, labels, and consumables on the floor.
- Flag low stock, approaching expirations, or supply concerns to the appropriate inventory/procurement contact.
- Participate in physical inventory counts and cycle counts as needed.
- Report equipment malfunctions or cleanroom facility issues to the Pharmacist-in-Charge promptly.
- Quality and Compliance
- Support compliance with USP <797>, USP <800>, applicable state and federal regulations, DEA requirements when applicable, and company standard operating procedures.
- Ensure required operational documentation is completed accurately, legibly, and in a timely manner.
- Assist with deviation investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), change control implementation, and quality improvement activities.
- Support internal audits, regulatory inspection readiness, and follow-up on audit findings.
- Monitor staff adherence to gowning, cleaning, environmental monitoring, aseptic workflow, and documentation requirements.
- Immediately escalate compliance concerns, quality concerns, or patient safety concerns to the Pharmacist-in-Charge.
Quality and Compliance
- Support compliance with USP <797>, USP <800>, applicable state and federal regulations, DEA requirements when applicable, and company standard operating procedures.
- Ensure required operational documentation is completed accurately, legibly, and in a timely manner.
- Assist with deviation investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), change control implementation, and quality improvement activities.
- Support internal audits, regulatory inspection readiness, and follow-up on audit findings.
- Monitor staff adherence to gowning, cleaning, environmental monitoring, aseptic workflow, and documentation requirements.
- Immediately escalate compliance concerns, quality concerns, or patient safety concerns to the Pharmacist-in-Charge.
Equipment and Facilities
- Assist in coordination of routine equipment maintenance, calibration, certification, and repair activities.
- Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed and documented.
- Communicate equipment malfunctions, facility issues, or cleanroom concerns to the Pharmacist-in-Charge.
Minimum Qualifications
- Current, active Arizona Pharmacy Technician License in good standing.
- Current Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification in good standing and maintained throughout employment.
- Ability to complete and maintain all training and continuing education required by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for pharmacy technicians performing sterile compounding activities; required training must be completed after hire if not already completed.
- Minimum of three (3) years of pharmacy experience, with at least two (2) years of sterile compounding experience preferred.
- Previous supervisory or lead technician experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of USP <795>, USP <797>, and USP <800>, applicable state and federal regulations, and pharmacy quality systems.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize workflow, maintain inventory, and support regulatory compliance.
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated sterile compounding environment while maintaining quality, patient safety, and operational efficiency.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership and personnel management skills.
- Knowledge of sterile compounding workflow and pharmacy operations.
- Ability to prioritize multiple competing responsibilities.
- Ability to train, coach, and hold staff accountable.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Commitment to quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
Reporting Relationship
Reports directly to the Pharmacist-in-Charge and collaborates with pharmacy leadership to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient pharmacy operations.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the pharmacy for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
- Ability to wear required PPE and cleanroom garb.
- Ability to work in ISO-classified cleanroom environments.
- Ability to perform tasks requiring attention to detail, visual accuracy, and manual dexterity.
Work Environment
This position works in a sterile compounding pharmacy operating under strict quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. The work environment will include ISO-classified cleanrooms, pharmacy production areas, inventory storage areas, and administrative workspaces. The role requires consistent attention to detail, adherence to procedures, and effective communication with pharmacy leadership and staff.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The pharmacy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and applicable law.
Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
