Pharmacy Technician - Visual Inspector/Labeling

About Southend Pharmacy

Southend Pharmacy is a modern 503A compounding pharmacy built on clinical precision, operational clarity, and a human-first approach. Licensed in 35+ states and focused on longevity-aligned therapeutics, we support providers and their patients with precision in compounding and transparent processes. Southend Pharmacy operates at the intersection of innovation, ambition, and clinical excellence—blending precision, clarity, and compassionate support to help providers deliver patient-centered, clinically guided care across every step of the treatment journey.

OverviewThe 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 contr