Pharmacy Technician

Cognito LLC, a Resolution Think joint venture, is seeking a PRN Pharmacy Technician to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) at the Houston Processing Center in Houston, TX.

As a civilian contractor working for Cognito, you will utilize your abilities as a Pharmacy Technician to provide the safe delivery of high-quality health care to those in ICE custody. 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.

• The Benefits: Our team offers competitive compensation packages, a full range of benefits, continuing education, and excellent work-life balance to ensure your success.
• Type of Work: PRN - as-needed basis, including coverage for staff absences, high census periods, or special projects. Hours and shifts will vary. 
• Location: Houston Processing Center - Houston, TX

Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities

As the Pharmacy Technician, the individual 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.

• Performs all duties related to preparation and dispensing of medication orders.
• 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.
• Provides treatment of persons throughout the life span as appropriate to discipline and facility setting.
• May be expected to respond to and or coordinate response to medical emergencies.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Required to use judgment and experience to determine when a pharmacist is to be immediately alerted to a therapeutic problem.
• When the technician is asked to act on dispensing instructions from a prescription, they can act and prioritize the requests.
• 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.
• Sets up medications needed for new orders and arranges for a pharmacist to check all preceding steps.
• Receives supplies and checks receipts against requisitions.
• Checks for shortages, breakage, deterioration, and expiration dates. Discrepancies found are reported to the pharmacist.
• 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.
• Consults with a pharmacist to prevent inventory problems and prepares requisitions accordingly.
• Withdraws outdated drugs, determines proper disposition (destruction or credit returns) and prepares necessary paperwork to initiate proper action.
• 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.
• 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.
• Packages bulk drugs, which include liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments, and creams, etc. into specific quantities and various size containers.
• Operates various types of equipment such as tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines.
• 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.
• 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.
• Inspects and logs the temperature of all refrigerators that contain any type of pharmaceutical reports problems.
• As directed, or in conjunction with a pharmacist, conducts orientations, for new staff, to pharmacy policy and practice within the clinic.
• Keeps staff appraised of changes in protocols, drug recalls, etc. that may affect patient safety.
• Utilizes a personal computer to enter and tabulate data for the monthly workload record.
• Manipulates data spreadsheet software in order to provide statistical analysis of the workload. Prepares quarterly reports, which identify trends in usage, peculiarities, and discrepancies.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Adds new patients to the Isoniazid tuberculosis prophylaxis directly observed therapy (DOT) list (if separate from the regular pill line).
• Clean equipment and work areas in the pharmacy.
• Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
• Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as required by, and appropriate to, position.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree/Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Certification: Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience as a Pharmacy Technician
• Credentialing: Ability to pass background check and drug screen. Current physical and immunizations.
• 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 a variety 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.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
• Ability to utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services to complete assigned duties if not fluent in a language the patient understands.
• Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
• Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Cultural competency.
• Integrity and honesty.
• Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

Physical Demands

• Ability to move 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.
• The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
• 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.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.