Pharmacy Technician

INTRODUCTION
The ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) exists within the organizational structure of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers, civil service staff and contractors comprise the healthcare professionals working together to provide quality healthcare services.
IHSC serves as the medical experts for ICE for detainee health care.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
As the Pharmacy Technician, the incumbent is responsible for the provision of a full range of pharmacy services at the assigned facility as well as ensuring compliance with the pharmacy policies and procedures as stated in the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) Pharmaceutical Services Directive and Guide.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
1. Minimum of one year experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
2. High School Diploma or GED.
REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
1. In states where Pharmacy Technician licensing is required by state law, a Pharmacy Technician license in the state in which the duty station is located. The license must be maintained in a full and unrestricted status during the term of employment. Any changes to license must be reported to employer immediately.
2. This position does not require privileging by IHSC.
3. Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart Association®.
ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
1. Strong oral and written communication skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
3. Critical thinking skills.
4. Cultural competency.
5. Integrity and honesty.
6. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
1. Knowledge of (1) pharmaceutical nomenclature, (2) formulas, strengths, and dosage forms of drugs; (3) pharmaceutical systems of weights and measures; (4) operation and care of avariety of pharmaceutical equipment; (5) receipt, storage, and order of pharmaceuticals, bulk compounding, preparation of sterile solutions, and setting up prescriptions for a final check by a pharmacist.
2. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
3. Ability to utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services to complete assigned duties if not fluent in a language the patient understands.
4. Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
5. Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
6. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
7. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
8. Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
9. Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Performs all duties related to preparation and dispensing of medication orders.
2. Provides direct care to patients within discipline Scope of Practice and performs functions in accordance with current accepted practice, licensure, certification, credentialing and or granted privileges.
3. Provides treatment of persons throughout the life span as appropriate to discipline and facility setting.
4. May be expected to respond to and or coordinate response to medical emergencies.
5. Reads individual prescriptions and determines the name of the drug, strength, and dosage of drugs to be dispensed. Correlates instructions on the prescription with pharmacy policy limitations and notes such on the prescription.
6. Sets up prescriptions by obtaining the correct drug stock, counting the correct amount of medication, and placing this medication in smaller containers. After the prescription has been filled, all contents and the label are set aside in order for a final check by a pharmacist.
7. Consults with the Clinical Services Manager or clinical pharmacist directly to clarify a prescription problem. This indicates that the technician has the knowledge and experience to recognize a problem in which a physician or a pharmacist must be contacted to clarify or change a medication order.
8. Required to use judgment and experience to determine when a pharmacist is to be immediately alerted to a therapeutic problem.
9. When the technician is asked to act on dispensing instructions from a prescription, they can act and prioritize the requests.
10. The technician has sufficient experience with the type of requests and their critical nature to be able to know when to proceed and when to immediately alert a pharmacist for follow-up.
11. Sets up medications needed for new orders and arranges for a pharmacist to check all preceding steps.
12. Receives supplies and checks receipts against requisitions.
13. Checks for shortages, breakage, deterioration, and expiration dates. Discrepancies found are reported to the pharmacist.
14. Performs computer entry of vouchers or invoices into various program applications for monitoring pharmacy expenditures and generating reports. Determines appropriate stock levels as well as the critical nature of different drugs and the consequences of being short on these supplies.
15. Consults with a pharmacist to prevent inventory problems and prepares requisitions accordingly.
16. Withdraws outdated drugs, determines proper disposition (destruction or credit returns) and prepares necessary paperwork to initiate proper action.
17. Places supply orders through mandatory government and non-government sources, which include data entry into computer applications for figuring the total dollar value and generating a quarterly report and determine the kind of packaging and shipping required for such items.
18. Makes necessary changes to quantities requested depending on stock levels to avoid total depletion and notifies a pharmacist of any discrepancies found in the requisition.
19. Packages bulk drugs, which include liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments, and creams, etc. into specific quantities and various size containers.
20. Operates various types of equipment such as tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines.
21. Records all prepackage information including lot number, expiration date, manufacturer, current date, initials (incumbent), and sets them aside for final check by a registered pharmacist.
22. Daily, checks the medicine cabinet and all areas of the clinic where night pharmacy service is available. Responsible for refilling any missing pharmacy drugs or supply items used during the night.
23. Inspects and logs the temperature of all refrigerators that contain any type of pharmaceutical reports problems.
24. As directed, or in conjunction with a pharmacist, conducts orientations, for new staff, to pharmacy policy and practice within the clinic.
25. Keeps staff appraised of changes in protocols, drug recalls, etc. that may affect patient safety.
26. Utilizes a personal computer to enter and tabulate data for the monthly workload record.
27. Manipulates data spreadsheet software in order to provide statistical analysis of the workload. Prepares quarterly reports, which identify trends in usage, peculiarities, and discrepancies.
28. Collects daily as required or works with a pharmacist to provide workload data, tabulates onto workload sheets, prepares figures for entry into a statistical program, and enters data into that program.
29. Is familiar with the statistical program that has been designed specifically for this location as well as others for basic spreadsheet capabilities and uses standard techniques.
30. Is fully familiar with all aspects of the program to include adding new patients, doctors, and drugs to the databases as well as editing prescriptions and querying the program for data related to drug usage and workload statistics.
31. Adds new patients to the pill line and updates current patients when orders are renewed. Prepares computer generated medication administration record (MAR) for patients on the pill line.
32. Adds new patients to the Isoniazid tuberculosis prophylaxis directly observed therapy (DOT) list (if separate from the regular pill line).
33. Clean equipment and work areas in the pharmacy.
34. Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
35. Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as required by, and appropriate to, position.
36. Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
37. Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
38. Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of medical records, in compliance with the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.
39. Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
40. Adheres to, and participates in, IHSC's Safety, Prevention, Infection and Control, Quality Improvement, Patient Education and other programs and collateral duties as appropriate to position.
41. Attends and participates in general/medical staff meetings.
ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS
1. On-call availability is not required for this position.
2. IHSC operates 24/7/365; this position is required to respond during an emergency activation.
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
1. The Department of Homeland Security's Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render an Initial Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
2. A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of initial, and between, subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
1. unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.
2. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
3. Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.
Overview
Jackson Healthcare and our family of companies provide healthcare systems, hospitals and medical facilities of all sizes with the skilled and specialized labor and technologies they need to deliver high quality patient care and achieve the best possible outcomes - while connecting healthcare professionals to the temporary engagements, contract assignments and permanent placement employment opportunities they desire.
Headquartered in metro Atlanta, we're powered by more than 2,600 associates and over 20,000 clinician providers covering all 50 U.S. states.
Our mission is to improve the delivery of patient care and the lives of everyone we touch. This includes the patients, clinicians and healthcare executives we work with through our companies every day, as well as our communities, the nonprofit organizations we support and each associate who is part of our family.
We're always looking to add new talent to our teams. We value diverse professionals at all levels and across multiple disciplines and areas of expertise, who have strong leadership skills, align with our culture, and are committed to excellence.
EEO Statement
Jackson Healthcare is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.