PAGNY Pharmacy Technician, Correctional Health Services

Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) for The Division of Correctional Health Services (CHS) of New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) is responsible for the delivery of medical care, mental health care, and discharge planning in the jail system. Approximately 25% of new admissions per year to the NYC jail system will receive care on the mental health service. This service strives to provide safe, holistic and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for the diverse range of mental health issues that face the population, from serious mental illness to the natural struggles that accompany incarceration. The service provides some of the most comprehensive and unique treatment modalities in the country, including specialty housing units for individuals with serious mental illness, a 24-hour on-call psychiatric service, robust creative arts programming, a strong DBT training program, clinics in each of the facilities, substance use treatment, integrated re- entry services, and relationships with multiple training institutions throughout the city.

The Pharmacy Technician performs all technical tasks in the unit dose, carry and out-patient drug distribution systems as well as other related duties of a satellite pharmacy. The Registered Pharmacist approves all work performed by the Pharmacy Technician.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Unit Dose and Carry Drug Distribution Systems
• Picks up patient medication orders from clinic, mini-clinic areas, etc. on a routine basis. Scans medication orders to other buildings or central pharmacy.
• Assists in maintaining accurate patient profiles by informing the pharmacist of changes in patient names, I.D. number or housing so modifications can be made in the pharmacy database.
• Fills and labels patient cassettes with non-carry and carry system medication bags from computer generated fill lists, and/or original drug orders.
• Fills and labels patient discharge medications from a prescription order.
• Fills and labels DOT medications. Once checked by pharmacist, delivers same to nursing.
• Obtains court medication list from General Office. Reviews distribution list to see if patient will be getting medication in morning. Reviews what is in Pyxis. If medication is not in Pyxis, provides dose for morning court medications. If medication is not in Pyxis, technician can have it added to Pyxis.
• Assists the pharmacist by entering number of patients receiving methadone keep and detox into the statistics in the RX Daily Stats Activity Report form in the computer.
• Reviews methadone distribution books, circles date of missing methadone dose and enters that information into methadone missed doses database on a daily basis. Notifies pharmacist of same.
• When outside methadone clinics call to verify last dose and date of methadone, technician will review active and inactive methadone administration records to ascertain the patient’s last dose and date of methadone administration.
• If there are requests for a patient profile, the individual should be instructed to get the profile themselves from report manager. Requests from other agencies should be referred to the pharmacist on duty.
• Prints and reviews all transfer reports, checks if the patients is on medication, prints patient medication profile and fills needed doses of medication for subsequent checking by pharmacist. If patient is on methadone or DOT medications, tells pharmacist of such. Can contact other building pharmacy to obtain needed DOT MAR or methadone distribution sheet.
• Transports patient cassettes to medication clinic areas and exchanges same when necessary.
• Files completed fill lists, updates lists, distribution lists, methadone sheets and other materials according to procedure.
• Checks, rotates and restocks all drug stock areas. Fills Pyxis machines as required. Files Pyxis reports with non pyxis stock records and retains them for 1 week. On a monthly basis checks for outdated medications in Pyxis, clinic floor stock, pharmacy stock and other areas where pharmacy stores medications. For non pyxis floor stock, maintains established par levels based on individual clinic or infirmary need. Records issues of stock on the non pyxis Floor Stock Inventory and Issue Record.
• Delivers emergency boxes and other requested items to clinic or infirmary areas as needed.
• Prepares weekly pharmacy stock order by utilizing par levels and building usage patterns for review by the pharmacist. Enters order into IDWhere and transmits on both a daily and weekly basis to packaging. Reconciles packing slip or invoice against items received. Notifies building pharmacist and packaging manager of any discrepancies. Puts away orders upon receipt, appropriately rotating stocks as required.
• Inspects all drug storage areas (clinic, mini-clinic, urgi-center, infirmary, pharmacy, par level rooms, dental, X-Ray, etc.) for outdated medication, IV solutions and related supplies on a monthly basis.
• Sorts, counts, prepares outdated drug manifest and packs up outdated medications for return to Central Medical Supply for submission to a reverse distributor.
• Prepares and records the prepackaging of extemporaneous unit dose medication.
• Records daily statistics on the RX Daily Stats Activity Report form in the computer. Gathers and records other statistical and survey information as required. Faxes or emails to appropriate party as requested.
• Has a working knowledge of the pharmacy and medical computer systems. Keys data into the pharmacy system (compliance and OTC requests) and retrieves data from the computer as directed by the pharmacist and permitted by law. Prints or reprints all reports/labels as required.
• Maintains all pharmacy areas, including “bubbles,” in a clean, orderly and well stocked fashion for all shifts. Helps arrange for sanitation pick-up and cleaning of these areas with the Department of Correction.
• Allows new personnel to shadow them.
• Monitors the quality of patient care through quality assurance/improvement mechanisms. Can remind patients that they are on medications and how to pick up the medications. Can refer patients to pharmacist or sick call for additional information. Can compare daily output of medical computer and pharmacy computer and notify users of missing data.
• Performs or assumes other related duties as required or requested by pharmacist or manager.
• Medication Distribution
• Distributes medication that has been checked and approved by the pharmacist to the correctly identified patient for self-administration in the proper way and at the proper time. Records receipt of the medication by the patient by clearly initialing and recording the number of days’ supply given on the MDR and by computer entry. (As described in the Medication Distribution Policy.)
• Refers to the pharmacist or clinic any patient who requires further information concerning their medication, is non-compliant, or is having difficulty tolerating their medication.
• Contacts the clinic captain, control room or tour commander in the event of DOC related delays in distributing medications. Contacts on-island administrator in the event of a delay or any other occurrences or problems which adversely affects the above procedures. Once a problem has been reported, keeps the on-island administrator informed about either the progress or lack thereof in distributing medication. (As described in the Disruption of Services Policy.)
• Maintains patient confidentiality of all pharmacy and clinical information. Disposal of unne eded reports and labels is done in the shredding containers only.
• Packaging
• Sets up and operates liquid and solid unit dose repackaging machines. Responsible for the proper maintenance and cleanliness of the machine at the end of each run.
• Packages oral solids into plastic zip-lock bags for the carry system.
• Maintains proper record keeping and control procedures as outlined in the Packaging policy.

Working Conditions:

Pharmacy and clinic/infirmary areas located in a jail setting. Frequent walking (sometimes long distances), standing, sitting, reaching and bending. Travel between all facilities on Rikers Island, and all borough houses is required. Temperature control and ventilation is highly variable throughout the jail campus.

Qualifications:

• High School or equivalency diploma.
• Completion of an approved Pharmacy Technician Training program or demonstrated equivalent experience. As of January 2012, all new hires or promotions must be certified pharmacy technicians by PTCB.
• NYS License required for Pharmacy Technicians.
• Demonstrated pharmacy competence and independent decision making/problem solving abilities. Must have knowledge of brand/generic names and drug uses.
• Able to use email, scanners, copiers and fax machines
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Physical Requirements:

Principally classified as medium duty work with frequent travel/walking between facilities. Frequent lifting of up to 20 pounds. Will be required to help push and/or pull medication carts weighing up to 300 lbs. down long hallways and lift up to 35 pounds when needed.

Frequent walking (sometimes long distances), standing for long periods of time and sitting. When filing patient cassettes there is constant reaching, bending and twisting. Must have adequate range of motion with both hands. Must be able to reach forward and overhead. Must have manual dexterity to use computer keyboard, mouse and handheld scanner. Must be able to read labels and reports. Must be able to hear.

Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and equitable hiring practices. We are dedicated to fostering a respectful and supportive workplace where everyone is valued. All candidates are considered based on their individual qualifications, potential, and experience.

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