Job Description

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented student to join our Pharmacovigilance team as an intern. This role professional practice will provide you the opportunity of supporting local Pharmacovigilance activities across the Northern Cluster region, including Colombia, Ecuador, Central America, and Venezuela. Under appropriate supervision mentorship, the intern will assist with delegated Pharmacovigilance tasks such as individual case safety report handling including follow-ups, and downloading reports from the global safety database, Health Authority webpage monitoring, and archiving. This position offers hands-on exposure to global safety operations, the opportunity to work with cross‑functional teams, and mentorship from experienced professionals.

This is a structured internship designed as a learning experience within the Pharmacovigilance team. The Pharmacovigilance Intern will gain hands-on exposure to drug safety processes, regulatory reporting, and case management under the close supervision of an assigned mentor. This is a time-limited educational placement (12 months).

Duration & hours

• Duration: 1 year
• Expected weekly schedule: approximately 6 hours per day, hybrid between Panama offices and remote as arranged with the team.

Learning objectives: By the end of the internship, the intern will have,

• Practical knowledge of adverse event intake, documentation, and case processing.
• Familiarity with pharmacovigilance regulations and reporting timelines.
• Experience using safety databases and quality documentation practices.
• Improved professional communication and teamwork within a regulated healthcare environment.

Key responsibilities (learning-focused):

• Assist in intake, triage, and documentation of adverse event reports under supervision.
• Follow-up cases activities and maintenance of case files in safety databases.
• Prepare basic safety reports and assist with routine regulatory submissions, with mentor review.
• Participate in quality assurance and record-keeping activities to support compliance.
• Attend team meetings, training sessions, and periodic reviews with mentor to discuss progress and learning goals.

Mentorship:

• The intern will be assigned a dedicated mentor from the Pharmacovigilance team.
• Regular check-ins (at least weekly) and documented learning objectives will be established at the start and reviewed regularly.
• Work will be supervised and reviewed to ensure safe, compliant participation in pharmacovigilance activities.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Nursing, or related fields degree program.
• Proficient in English and Spanish (oral and written).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Basic knowledge of pharmacovigilance principles, adverse event reporting and clinical terminology.
• Attention to detail, good written and verbal communication skills, and ability to handle confidential information, and data accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to execute tasks reliably and meet deadlines.
• Good business awareness and professional judgment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Creative, solution-oriented mindset with willingness to learn.

Preferred:

• Prior coursework or exposure to pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, or clinical research.
• Experience with safety databases or basic data entry and quality-control processes.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Virtual Agents).

Important notes

• This is a learning-focused internship with hands-on mentorship. It is not a regular staff role.
• The position involves handling sensitive health information and requires adherence to confidentiality and data protection policies.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Communication, Database Management, Document Management, Microsoft Office, Office Applications

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

11/3/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.