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Per Diem Staff Radiopharmacist

Employer
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location
Houston, Texas
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Nov 19, 2021

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Discipline
Health Sciences
Organization Type
Healthcare/Hospital

Job Details

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

SUMMARY

The position requires the ability to successfully manage the dispensing, compounding and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals. Ensures safe and reliable unit dose dispensing of both FDA-approved and investigational radiotracer imaging agents in compliance with FDA, United States Pharmacopeia, Texas Department of State Health Services Radiation Control Program and Texas State Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations. When on-sight, provides daily supervision for the CRF Nuclear Medicine Technician (NMT).

CORE VALUES

Caring: By our words and actions we demonstrate caring toward everyone.
  • We are sensitive to the concerns of our patients, their loved ones and our colleagues.
  • We are respectful and courteous to each other and practice cultural humility.
  • We promote and reward teamwork and inclusion.


Integrity: We work together with professionalism to merit the trust of our colleagues and those we serve in all that we do.
  • We hold ourselves, and each other, accountable for our work - decisions and data - and for practicing our values and ethics.
  • We advocate for diversity and equity for our workforce, for those we serve and for our community.
  • We communicate frequently, honestly, openly and responsibly.


Discovery: We embrace creativity and seek new knowledge from diverse perspectives.
  • We encourage continuous learning, seeking out information and new ideas.
  • We team with each other to identify and resolve problems.
  • We seek personal growth and enable others to do so.


Safety: We provide a safe environment - physically and psychologically - for our patients, for our colleagues and for our community.
  • We create a sense of security and empowerment and are committed to keeping one another free from harm.
  • We embrace a framework and best practices for the highest quality of care and service.
  • We inspire trust by modeling excellence in our work and acceptance of each person's contributions.


Stewardship: We protect and preserve our institutional reputation and the precious resources - people, time, financial and environmental - entrusted to us.
  • We prioritize the health and well-being of each other.
  • We act responsibly to safeguard the institution's finances.
  • We ensure the proper care and use of time, data, materials, equipment and property afforded to us.


JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

1) Radioisotope Handling and Dispensing • Applies principles and practices of pharmacy and radiochemistry to prepare and dispenses unit doses of radioactive pharmaceuticals used for patient diagnosis and therapy.
• Receives radiopharmaceutical prescription from physician and reviews prescription to determine suitability of radiopharmaceutical for intended use.
• Utilizes knowledge of radiopharmaceutical preparation and principles of drug biodistribution to verify that specified radioactive substances and reagents will give desired results in examination or treatment procedures.
• Calculates volume of radioactive pharmaceutical required to provide patient with desired level of radioactivity at prescribed time, according to established rates of radioisotope decay.
• Follows all radiopharmacy procedures, extemporaneously compounds radiopharmaceuticals and non-radioactive drugs not available from commercial sources to prepare various investigational radiopharmaceuticals.
• Provides complex radiolabeling services (including radiolabeling of peptides for diagnostic and therapeutic applications).
• Dispatches radiopharmaceutical materials to external purchasers in compliance with the requirements for lawful transport of radioactive materials by air or road.
• Assays prepared radiopharmaceuticals, using measuring and analysis instruments and equipment, such as ionization chamber, pulse-height analyzer, and radioisotope dose calibrator, to verify rate of drug disintegration and to ensure that patient receives required dose.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of the CRF, various researchers and staff radiochemists to produce and provide cGMP-grade novel PET tracers for clinical and research studies.
• Attends site initiation and/or investigator orientation meetings for clinical trials in which the CRF is involved.

2) Documentation and Record Keeping • Maintains compliance with the established regulations for radiopharmacy operation, including, but not limited to:
- Texas Department of Health Services Radiation Control Program
- US Pharmacopeia
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Texas Board of Pharmacy (BOP)
- Drug inventory, drug accountability, dispensing and inventory control
- The prescription drug ordering process including prescription generation and traceability
- Pharmacy dispensing and dispensed drug final verification checks
- MD Anderson internal pharmacy guidelines
• Performs weekly and monthly Quality Assurance procedures.
• Assists with Out of Specification (OOS) event investigations and proposes subsequent plan of action.
• Works with the Director to document all radiopharmaceutical product complaints received by the CRF. Assists with any investigation(s) as directed by Director.
• Actively participates during inspections by the Texas BOP, FDA or other regulatory agencies.

3) Radiopharmacy Safety • Monitors assigned area for environmental deficiencies such as lighting/electrical needs or breech of exit/entrance. Notifies Director of occurrences.
• Ensures that radiopharmaceutical personnel wear appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE) when working in hazardous controlled areas.
• Ensures that the radiopharmacy is clean, organized, and safe for personnel.
• Limits access only to those by qualified/required personnel.
• Works to ensure minimal radiation exposure and compliance with the "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principle.
• Responsible for ensuring radiation detection equipment is worn by personnel working in the Radiopharmacy.
• Performs/documents daily dosimeter checks.
• Ensures/supervises radioactive/biohazard waste segregation and disposal and completion of related documentation.
• Ensures appropriate storage and handling of radiation detecting equipment.
• Actively participates during inspections by the Texas BOP, FDA or other regulatory agencies.

4) Human Resource Oversight • Leads by example in behavior and work ethic. Provides advice to achieve positive outcomes for patient and staff issues/concerns.
• Organizes, co-ordinates and/or appropriately delegates daily activities to the NMT to ensure appropriate resource allocation and to meet the needs of CABI Customers.
• Monitors area workflow to assure that all jobs are performed in a timely manner.
• Provides daily supervision for the NMT.
• Provides input to Director on the NMT annual performance evaluation.
• As needed, provides training to the NMT to integrate new procedures into daily practices.

Other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

Analytical Thinking - Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions.

Develop Oneself - Pursue learning and self-development; actively seek feedback; transfer learning into next steps; set high standards of performance; drive for results and achievement.

Influence Others - Present a compelling case for proposals and ideas; advocate for support and commitment from others; mobilize others to take action for benefit of the institution.

Innovative Thinking - Approach problems with curiosity and open-mindedness; offer new ideas, solutions and/or options.

Inspire Trust - Show consistency among principles, values, and behavior; gain the confidence and trust of others.

Listen to Others - Listen to feedback and input carefully; demonstrate attention to others; acknowledge and listen to differing perspectives in a group.

Oral Communication - Express ideas clearly and concisely in groups and one-to-one conversations; create an environment with open channels of communication.

Provide Direction - Provide clear direction and priorities toward a common vision; clarify roles and responsibilities for employees; promote empowerment.

Self-Adaptability - Work in situations involving uncertainty, shifting priorities, and rapid change; deal constructively with mistakes and setbacks; demonstrate flexibility.

Self-Confidence - Recognize own knowledge, skills, and abilities; respond to challenging situations with confidence; understand limits in self.

Equipment Usage and Safety Preparedness - Employee maintains expectations for safety preparedness, including but not limited to: Orientation to new equipment, Employee Education Event, CPR training, fire drills.

Medical Knowledge - Employee demonstrates medical knowledge as defined by position description.

Professionalism - Employee demonstrates commitment to collaborative professional relationships with physicians and all members of the heath care team.

Team with Others - Initiate, develop, and manage relationships and networks; encourage collaboration and input from all team members; value the contributions of all team members; balance individual and team goals.

Technical/Functional Expertise - Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.

Written Communication - Convey information clearly and concisely through both formal and informal documents; adapt writing style to fit the audience.

With Inclusion, you understand that your ideas and contributions are valued. You promote the same for others. You address your own biases while promoting diversity and equity. (Competencies: Cultural Humility, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Intelligence)

With Drive, you see that you can serve as a leader whether you have a formal leadership role or not. You tackle problems, move past setbacks and hardships, and don't lose sight of your goals. (Competencies: Self-Confidence, Analytical Thinking, Innovative Thinking, Technical Expertise)

You demonstrate Professionalism by setting the example for others and consistently modeling MD Anderson's values and service standards. You communicate effectively in a variety of ways. (Competencies: Inspire Trust, Oral Communication, Written Communication)

Through Emotional Intelligence, you maintain awareness of your own emotions and the emotions of those around you. Use nonverbal cues and feelings to engage others in an inclusive and responsive way. (Competencies: Active Listening, Teaming, Self-Reflection)

Having Coachability means you are engaged in relentless learning. You constantly ask questions and stay curious. You understand that the organization constantly evolves, and you should as well. (Competencies: Develop Oneself, Adaptability)

Bachelor's of Science degree in Pharmacy or Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college of pharmacy. Two years of experience as a Nuclear Pharmacist. Must obtain license to practice pharmacy in the State of Texas by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy within 90 days of date of entry into job. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Company

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2023 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

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