Visual Inspection Technician at Southend Pharmacy – Houston, Texas

Company Overview

At Southend Pharmacy, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional pharmacy services that uphold the highest standards of compliance, safety, and patient care. As a growing organization, we are seeking a detail-oriented and skilled Research and Development Pharmacist to support the Research and Development Manager with the development of new compounded products in alignment with business goals and regulatory requirements.

Job Summary

The Visual Inspection Technician is responsible for performing detailed 100% visual inspections of all finished compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) and other compounded products in a 503A pharmacy setting. This critical quality control step ensures the absence of visible defects, particulate matter, leaks, improper fill volumes, labeling errors, and other anomalies. The technician collaborates with compounding staff, pharmacists, and QA personnel to maintain high standards of patient safety and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

● Perform 100% manual visual inspection of all finished products using approved techniques, including black and white background light inspection stations, to detect:

○ Particulate matter or foreign objects in solutions

○ Container/closure defects (cracks, breaks, improper seals)

○ Leaks from vials, bags, or syringes

○ Incorrect fill volumes or appearance (color, clarity, precipitation)

● Inspect non-sterile compounded preparations as required by SOPs for visible quality attributes

● Quarantine any defective or suspect products, document findings on inspection logs or deviation reports, and escalate to QA Management for investigation and disposition.

● Accurately record inspection results in electronic or paper based quality systems, maintaining good documentation practices (GDP) for traceability and regulatory compliance.

● Calculate and report defect rates or trends if applicable, supporting continuous improvement in compounding processes.

● Verify product identity, lot traceability, and release criteria prior to final approval for dispensing.

● Maintain cleanliness and organization of inspection areas, including daily sanitization of workstations and equipment.

● Follow strict gowning, hand hygiene, and aseptic protocols when entering or working near controlled environments.

● Participate in training, competency assessments, internal audits, and regulatory inspection readiness activities.

● Assist in root cause analysis for identified defects and support implementation of corrective actions under QA supervision.

● Handle hazardous compounded products with appropriate PPE and safety measures.

Qualifications

● Education:

○ High school diploma or GED required, Associate’s degree or certification in pharmacy technology, quality control, or related field preferred.

● Licensure:

○ Pharmacy Technician registration/licensure with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (or eligibility to obtain) required.

● Experience:

○ Minimum 1 year of experience in a pharmacy, compounding, or pharmaceutical quality control setting, direct experience with visual inspection of sterile products (vials, syringes, bags) in a 503A or 503B environment highly preferred.

○ Familiarity with USP <797> requirements for CSP visual inspection and release is strongly desired.

● Skills:

○ Exceptional attention to detail and visual acuity for detecting subtle defects under controlled lighting conditions.

○ Strong understanding of quality principles, GDP, and basic deviation documentation.

○ Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel for logging/trending) or similar and pharmacy/quality management software.

○ Good communication skills to clearly report findings to pharmacists and supervisors.

○ Ability to read and follow detailed SOPs, inspection checklists, and product specifications.

○ Manual dexterity and ability to concentrate for extended periods during repetitive inspections.

○ Knowledge of sterile compounding environments, aseptic technique, and hazardous drug handling preferred.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to sit/stand for extended periods (up to 8+ hours) while performing inspections.

· Frequent use of hands/arms for handling products, tools, and documentation.

· Routine work in controlled pharmacy environments may require gowning for access to cleanroom adjacent inspection areas.

· Exposure to controlled lighting (e.g., black/white backgrounds), potential hazardous materials with proper PPE, and temperature-controlled storage areas.

· Occasional lifting of product trays or boxes (up to 20–30 lbs).

· May involve shift work or overtime to support batch release timelines.

Benefits

● Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, paid time off.

Allia Health Group is unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Allia Health Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

If you have any questions or require accommodations during the application process, please contact recruiting@alliahealth.co.