Oncology Pharmacy Technician at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Oncology Pharmacy Technician will support the Clinical Pharmacist (Oncology) in the safe, efficient, and aseptic preparation of cancer therapies at AMCE. The role holder will be responsible for the technical aspects of chemotherapy dispensing, inventory management of hazardous drugs, and maintaining compliance with international safety standards for cytotoxic handling. Working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, this role is critical to ensuring that oncology patients receive accurate, sterile, and timely medications.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Aseptic Compounding and Dispensing

• Prepare chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biologic agents under strict aseptic conditions using vertical flow hoods and closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs).
• Perform final accuracy checks on prepared doses (drug, diluent, dose volume, and patient identity) prior to verification by a pharmacist.
• Label and package oncology medications in compliance with hazardous drug handling standards.
• Maintain competency in non-hazardous and hazardous sterile compounding techniques.

Clinical Collaboration and Patient Care

• Manage the procurement, receipt, and storage of all oncology pharmaceuticals, including investigational drugs.
• Monitor stock levels of high-cost and critical cancer therapies to prevent shortages and wastage.
• Conduct daily temperature monitoring and environmental checks for refrigerators and freezers storing biologics.
• Coordinate with suppliers to manage consignment stock and just-in-time ordering for expensive agents.

Medication Safety and Compliance

• Adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols for handling hazardous drugs.
• Participate in daily cleanliness and decontamination of the sterile preparation area.
• Assist in documenting and reporting near misses, compounding errors, or equipment malfunctions.
• Support the Clinical Pharmacist in audits related to hazardous drug handling and aseptic technique competency.

Clinical Support and Documentation

• Obtain and verify patient-specific information (e.g., allergies, body surface area, renal function) to support the pharmacist’s clinical check.
• Maintain accurate records of batch numbers, expiry dates, and compounding logs for traceability.
• Assist with medication reconciliation by obtaining accurate home medication lists from patients/caregivers.
• Manage the workflow of the oncology pharmacy satellite to minimize patient wait times for dispensed medications.

Technology and Automation

• Operate oncology-specific pharmacy information systems for order entry and labelling.
• Utilize barcode scanning technology to verify drugs and patients during the dispensing process.
• Support the implementation of dose-banding protocols to optimise workflow.

Education, Skills and Competencies

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy Technology / Pharmaceutical Sciences from an accredited institution.
• Valid technician license or registration with the relevant pharmacy council.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a Pharmacy Technician, with at least 1 year in an oncology or sterile compounding setting.
• Certification in Aseptic Techniques / IV Chemotherapy Compounding.
• In-depth understanding of cytotoxic drug handling, PPE requirements, and spill management.
• Familiarity with chemotherapy regimens, hydration protocols, and pre-medication sequences.
• Proficiency in using vertical laminar airflow hoods and biological safety cabinets.
• Experience with pharmacy automation.
• Basic knowledge of tumor markers and lab values sufficient to verify patient parameters.