Relief Pharmacist

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Commercial Sterile Compounding, the Pharmacist – Sterile Compounding- Drug Preparation Premises (DPP) is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of aseptic technique and regulatory compliance within the clean room environment. This role oversees sterile compounding activities, environmental monitoring, and quality control processes, while supporting packaging, dispensing, and shipping of compounded sterile products. The pharmacist collaborates with the DPP Manager and Sterile Compounding Supervisor to maintain compliance with federal, provincial, and accrediting body standards, assists with inventory management, and contributes to policy and procedure reviews. Additional responsibilities include monitoring equipment performance, maintaining accurate documentation, and participating in quality assurance initiatives to ensure safe and timely delivery of medications.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Aseptic technique during sterile compounding.
• Proper cleaning and disinfection of controlled areas and equipment.
• Oversee DPP equipment functionality and report malfunctions.
• Cleaning and disinfection of DPP areas.
• Clean room activities in QUESS.
• Temperature sensors for compounding equipment and supporting systems; respond to alerts.
• Clean room pressure, temperature, and humidity; respond to alerts.
• Dispense and approve batches in IV workflow (Pharmacy Keeper).
• Package and dispense final sterile preparations, ensuring:
• Accuracy and completeness of compounded products.
• Absence of particulate matter and container integrity.
• Timely matching of preparations to deliveries.
• Monitor packaging and shipping of medications; perform administrative tasks supporting the DPP team.
• Maintaining compliance with federal, provincial, and local laws and accrediting standards.
• Preparing and labeling medications as permitted by law.
• Inventory management and physical counts.
• Issuing Certificates of Analysis for sterility testing.
• Preparing compounding sheets.
• Maintain model standards of sterile compounding and environmental monitoring.
• Perform glove fingertip sampling, media fill testing, air and surface sampling as required.
• Monitor sterility testing performed by clean room technicians and ensure documentation.
• Manage dispensing and shipping schedules.
• Monitor fridge, freezer, incubator, and storage temperatures; report variances.
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, regulatory requirements, and Ontario College of Pharmacists standards.
• Ensure safe storage of medications, including ambient and cold chain products.
• Contribute to policy and procedure reviews related to DPP operations.
• Document all activities per P&Ps using required logs.
• Participate in staff meetings, quality assurance, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Report any sterile compounding issues or deviations to the Sterile Compounding Supervisor.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Registered with the College of Pharmacists and in good standing
• Experience in a busy community pharmacy setting or compounding pharmacy setting is preferred.

Education

Education, Certificates and Experience

• Pharmacist Certificate/Diploma from an accredited institution is required.

Other Skills And Abilities

• Organized and disciplined, basic computer skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.

• Work is performed in a sterile cleanroom environment, requiring strict adherence to established protocols, including frequent cleaning and disinfecting activities throughout the shift, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• The role involves physical activity, including prolonged periods of standing and walking, as well as bending, crouching, and sitting as required to complete assigned duties.
• The role requires repetitive use of the upper extremities, including frequent use of hands for tasks involving pinching, gripping, fine motor control, and handling materials and equipment.
• Duties include manual material handling, such as lifting, pushing, and pulling items weighing up to 50 lbs, including lifting from floor to waist and waist to shoulder as required.
• The role requires the ability to safely climb ladders and work at elevated heights when required for cleaning, maintenance, or material handling activities.
• Specific visual requirements are necessary to safely and accurately perform job duties, including close vision, distance vision, colour vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, particularly in a sterile compounding and production environment.
• The role requires the ability to wear required cleanroom personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowning, for extended periods of time while performing assigned duties.
• The work environment may involve exposure to chemicals used in cleaning, disinfecting, and operational processes, handled in accordance with established safety procedures and training.
• The employee may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles consistent with a controlled cleanroom or production environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

Primary Location

ON-Markham