Quality assurance can be understood as the process-oriented aspect of quality management, where specific procedures and processes are followed to ensure that the final product meets all industry standards. In this way, quality assurance becomes essential, preventing defects and mistakes throughout the manufacturing process.
With a background in pharmaceutical quality assurance, professionals can pursue a career as quality assurance technicians. Here, they can complete a variety of tasks to ensure the top quality of pharmaceutical products—checking quality systems and conducting quality assurance audits among many other responsibilities. Through their efforts, the proper processes and procedures can be implemented to create the right results, providing error detection whenever corrective measures need to be taken.
Here’s a brief overview to help you learn more about life as a quality assurance technician.
Exploring the Key Responsibilities of a Quality Assurance Technician
Quality assurance technicians typically work under the guidance of a QA Lead, implementing the proper standards and procedures while ensuring that product specifications are being met. Professionals pursuing this career can expect to complete some of the following key tasks:
- Evaluating regulations to properly fulfil quality assurance protocols and requirements
- Conducting regular quality assurance audits and recording results for reference
- Improving product quality and safety by identifying ways to improve the manufacturing process
- Ensuring good manufacturing practices and company compliance
Quality assurance technicians work to ensure good manufacturing practices
By taking a pharmaceutical quality assurance program, you can develop the skills you need to complete key tasks and responsibilities with confidence. This includes learning about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Workplace Hazardous Material Information Systems (WHMIS). You’ll also learn about physical and chemical techniques for the analysis of raw materials, in-process products, and finished products.
Valuable Skills You Can Apply in Your Career as a Quality Assurance Technician
Quality assurance technicians employ a variety of skills to excel in their career. In addition to having a strong grasp of the pharmaceutical industry, they heavily rely on their critical thinking and communication skills. Their skill set also includes:
- Organization and planning skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
To succeed in their career, quality assurance technicians need to be detail-oriented
By taking pharma courses, you can build a valuable skill set that better prepares you for a future as a quality assurance technician. For example, the Technical Writing and Scientific Communication course can equip you with the skills you’ll need to develop effective Standard Operating Procedures while Auditing courses introduce you to key concepts that can further build your analytical skills.
Quality assurance technicians rely on strong communication skills to complete key tasks
Insights on Becoming a Quality Assurance Technician after Pharmaceutical School
New technology is constantly shaping the pharmaceutical industry, impacting quality control and assurance. Professionals keen on becoming quality assurance technicians can prepare for employment by staying up to date on their industry and building skills through a post-graduate diploma program. In doing so, they can train in a state-of-the-art laboratory that simulates working in a GMP environment.
Having these hands-on experiences and learning directly from industry experts provides you with valuable insights that can distinguish you from other candidates during your job search. With the right tools and training, you can launch your career with confidence and become a successful quality assurance technician.
Are you interested in attending a pharmaceutical school?
Contact AAPS for more information!