Technician I, Environmental Quality

Position Summary 

The EQ Technician I is responsible for performing routine and non-routine testing in support of all aspects of the manufacturing operations including but not limited to the utility systems, sterilizer systems, incoming raw materials, in-process product solutions and final product solutions while adhering to safety, standard operating procedures (SOPs), standard test methods (STMs) and specifications, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), standard laboratory practices (SLP), current good documentation practices (cGDP) and plant policies/guidelines. The EQ Technician I will work under direct supervision or lead.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological and biological testing according to SLPs, STMs and SOPs. Test types (when applicable) include but are not limited to bioburden for pre-sterilized product and raw bulk drug utilizing membrane filtration and/or direct plate inoculation, non-viable particulate (liquid and air mediums), viable particulate (air medium), environmental and utilities systems monitoring (e.g., floors, equipment, oil-free compressed gas), growth promotion of purchased and prepared media, gram staining, organism culture creation and maintenance, and non-viable particulate matter identification. Techniques utilized include but are not limited to pour plating, handling and maintaining organism cultures, membrane filtration and direct plate inoculation, aseptic, and plate reading.
• Utilization and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment in support of routine and non-routine testing such according to SLPs, STMs, and SOPs. Instruments/equipment (when applicable) include but are not limited to non-viable particle counters for liquid and air mediums (e.g., HIAC, CLIMET), viable particle counters for air medium (e.g., Surface Air Sampler (SAS)), depyrogenation oven, steam sterilizer, pipettes (e.g., fixed, variable), waterbath (e.g., oil, water), compound light microscope, stereomicroscope, centrifuge, barcode scanners, label printers, stir/hot plates, timers/stopwatches, laminar airflow hoods (LAF) and biosafety cabinets (BSC).   
• Generate and maintain accurate manual (hardcopy) documents such as batch records and other controlled worksheets and electronic laboratory records of tasks completed and review and/or verify the results of other laboratory personnel according to cGDP, SLPs, STMs and SOPs. Generation and maintenance of such records include compliant utilization of databases and software applications such as PharmSpec, MODA or other laboratory information management system (LIMS) such as Labware, Oracle, Microsoft (e.g., Access), and Excel (e.g., validated spreadsheets).
• Provide support in the resolution of manufacturing (production) problems, the execution of technical studies, and during laboratory investigations. Identify and escalate questionable or inconsistent results to the supervisor/manager or other designee such as lead laboratory technician(s). Participate in evaluating and clarifying problems and provide suggestions for resolution. Includes safety related items.
• Maintain and prepare media/materials in accordance with SOPs including sterilization of liquid and hard goods items. Includes decontamination and other sterilization cycle types as applicable.
• Work on special projects as they arise.
• Perform tasks outside of primary job duties on an as-needed basis or per business/departmental needs. This will include, but is not limited to, cross-training in Biological Quality laboratories/functions and participation in special projects.

 

Knowledge & Skills

• Requires an understanding of laboratory instrumentation and methodologies including microbiology and environmental science(s). Must maintain a high regard for detail, timeliness, and accuracy of all testing and associated documentation.
• Must be able to read, understand, and execute instructions in basic laboratory procedures.
• Must be able to use mathematics to solve routine problems and execute algebraic equations daily.
• Must be able to perform tests quickly and efficiently without sacrificing accuracy, safety, or quality.
• Must be able to use Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel) and have aptitude to learn internal systems. 
• Must recognize, communicate, and appropriately respond to inconsistent and nonconformance results.
• Must utilize sound judgment in making decisions within limitations of recognized STMs and SOPs.
• Must communicate effectively and proficiently at all levels both within and outside