Pharmacy Technician

Job Description

Currently recruiting a Pharmacy Technician in Alexandria, LA to coordinate complex clinical operations at a facility that houses individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Pharmacy Technician 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.

DUTIES OF THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN:

• 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.
• Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
• Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
• Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of medical records, in compliance with the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.
• Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
• 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.
• Attends and participates in general/medical staff meetings.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of one year experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
• High School Diploma or GED.

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• 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.
• This position does not require privileging by IHSC.
• Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association .

ABOUT THE ARORA GROUP

The Arora Group is an award-winning, Joint Commission-certified healthcare services and workforce solutions company that has provided medical care for the men and women who serve our country since 1989. Arora is one of the nation s top employers of physicians, nurses, allied health, dental, and other professionals in government contract jobs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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