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Katie WatkinsKW
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Katie Watkins

@katiewatkins

Quality Assurance Specialist II at Smith & Nephew, managing CMO quality controls and pharmaceutical product reviews.

United States
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At Smith & Nephew, I manage change controls, nonconformances, and finished product specifications for two CMOs. I also evaluate complaints and manage and write APRs for two pharmaceutical products.

I review and release third-party CMO documentation for product lots, and create Certificates of Analysis and approve laboratory documentation for product release and testing. I also participate in internal and external audits and inspections.

At Monarch PCM, I successfully implemented a serialization system and submitted an FDA Drug Listing to CDER. I investigated deviations, nonconformances, out-of-specification results, and CAPAs, and assisted with the facility’s initial FDA audit.

Earlier, I built up the microbiology lab for a start-up OTC pharmaceutical company, writing and implementing lab procedures and protocols and facilitating validation of two autoclave systems. My background also includes medical device testing and R&D microbiology at C.G. LABORATORIES, INC. and A Novartis Company, Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Smith & Nephew logoSN
Current

Quality Assurance Specialist II

Sep 2021 - Present (5 years 1 month)

• Manage two different CMO’s for change controls, nonconformances, and finished product specifications
• Work in GMP regulations for US, EU and ICH
• Evaluate Complaints and process accordingly
• Manage and write APR for 2 pharmaceutical products
• Review and release third party CMO documentation for product lots
• Review and approves SOPs, specifications, investigations, CAPA, change controls a

Smith & Nephew logoSN

Training Coordinator

Jul 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 year 3 months)

· Streamline SNFT training matrix in MasterControl with department managers and supervisors
· Led the site documentation and training for the SmartSolve migration project
· Created, implemented and delivered training programs for varying levels of individuals within the site eDMS system
· Managed and tracked Qualified training requirements in support of manufacturing needs
· Maintained updated cur

Monarch PCM logoMP

QA Specialist/ Document Control specialist/Sr. Microbiologist

Nov 2016 - Jul 2020 (3 years 8 months)

QA & Compliance
· Successfully implemented a new serialization system
· Perform 3rd party auditing on contract labs and internal audits
· Preparation and planning for next FDA audit
· Began Project Management responsibilities for new products releases
· Submitted FDA Drug Listing for manufacturer to CDER successfully
• Investigated deviations, NCP, OOS, CAPA’s, & advised on any & all microbiology

Monarch PCM logoMP

Sr. Microbiologist

Jan 2016 - Nov 2016 (10 months)

QA & Compliance
• Investigated deviations, NCP, OOS, CAPA’s, & advised on any & all microbiology concerns & issues in the laboratory & production facility
• Entered assets into QT9 & created recurring work orders, PM & calibrations equipment

Lab Experience
• Built up the micro lab from scratch for a start up OTC pharmaceutical company
• Wrote & implemented
- SOP’s
- Forms
-Protocol

Fort Worth Fertility logoFF

Andrologist

Feb 2015 - Nov 2015 (9 months)

• Proficient in processing semen analysis, cryopreservation, and washes for IUI and IVF procedures (average 170 samples a month)
• Manage supplies and media ordering; Sample tracking and chain of custody
• Maintaining compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies (e.g. FDA, CAP & AAB)
• Manage SART data entry for IVF cycles
• Facilitate the Senior Embryologist during IVF cycles

C.G. LABORATORIES, INC. logoCI

Microbiologist/Lab Tech

Jul 2014 - Sep 2014 (2 months)

•Perform visual investigation on medical devices
•Proficient in Medical Device Testing: Sterility, Bioburden, LAL (Bacterial Endotoxin) gel clot testing
•Execute water testing (pH, conductivity, total heterotrophic plate count, chlorine and coliform)
•Prepare laboratory media and manage use and maintenance of autoclave
•Perform microbial identification using BBL Crystal

A Novartis Company, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. logoAI

Scientist I, R&D Safety Microbiology

Jan 2011 - Jul 2014 (3 years 6 months)

Quality and Compliance
•Write, review, and approve Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Technical Documents, Job Aids, Controlled Forms
•Write and perform instrument and testing validations
•Develop and review Protocols
•Analyze and implement regulatory requirements (USP, EP, JP, FDA, and ISO)
• Manage the release of test documentation for new formulations.
• Frequently, work in MS Word to forma

A Novartis Company, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. logoAI

Associate Scientist, R&D Microbiology

Mar 2008 - Jan 2011 (2 years 10 months)

•Proficient in Sterility testing, Scan RDI testing, Biological Indicator testing
•Worked in LIMS, LION, and GMPharma
•Execute maintenance on the LaCalhene systems
•Perform media fill readouts and BI validations
•Maintain sample tracking and chain of custody
•Manage supplies and media ordering
•Create and update a testing schedule for Sterility
•Training on container/closure testing

A Novartis Company, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. logoAI

Microbiology Internship

Sep 2006 - Mar 2008 (1 year 6 months)

•Proficient in Bioburden testing, Microbial limits testing, Scan RDI and Validations
•Proficient in making %T’s and working with the Milliflex unit during filtering
•Labeled plates, data filing and logged in received media/reagent receipt
•Worked in LIMS and LION, log reductions, trained in PET’s

University of Texas at Arlington logoUA

Undergraduate TA for Dr. Chrzanowski

Mar 2006 - May 2007 (1 year 2 months)

•Prepped media and cycle compacted for the use of CHN’s (carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content ) on a Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography
•Worked with Epifluorescent Microscopy, counting bacterial cells for a feeding experiment

MO

Nurses Assistant

Matlock OB/GYN

Jan 2004 - Mar 2006 (2 years 2 months)

•Preparation of patients for 6 Doctors (recording blood pressure, weight, medical history and baby's heart beat when needed)
•Handled general office work (filing and organization of patients charts)
•Initiated new patient work ups for OB/GYN
•Observed c-sections and vaginal births
•Facilitated the Lab technician ( urine analysis, pregnancy test and other laboratory needs)

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

AM

American Society for Quality (ASQ) - MENA

Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)

Aug 2020 · Expired Dec 2024

NN

National Registry of Certified Microbiologist (NRCM)

Registered Microbiologist (RM): Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Microbiology

Jun 2014

TA

The University of Texas at Arlington

Bachelor of Science (BS), Microbiology, General

2005 - 2007

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