STG International is accepting resumes of qualified candidates for a future Pharmacy Technician position to work full-time providing medical care to detainees in custody in support of ICE Health Service Corps at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Medical Facility. STG International is in an active bidding process for this position which is contingent upon STG International, Inc. being awarded the contract.
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.
MISSION:
IHSC’s mission is to provide medical care to maintain the health of individuals in the custody of
ICE through an integrated health care delivery system, based on nationally recognized correctional, detention and residential health care standards. The Agency is committed to providing healthcare services to protect the nation’s health, reduce global disease and provide medical support for the law enforcement mission of the safe apprehension, enforcement and removal of detained individuals involved in immigration proceedings. IHSC is committed to ensuring a system of care that is ethical, responsible, and accountable through rigorous surveillance and monitoring activities.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 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 paper work 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.
- On a daily basis 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.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills
ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES:
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Critical thinking skills
- Cultural competency.
- Integrity and honesty.
- Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required).
- Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not
required).
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education
- Graduate from a pharmacy technician program accredited by The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP).
- Minimum of one year experience as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:
- Certified by The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- This position does not require privileging by IHSC.
- Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart
Association.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- 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) in order 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).
DUTY HOURS/ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS:
- On-call availability is not required for this position.
- IHSC operates 24/7/365; this position is required to respond during an emergency activation.
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:
- The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render a Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
- A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of initial and subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 10 minutes and maintain balance.
- Required to respond to any medical emergency within 4 minutes, where a fast walk or jog may be necessary to provide assistance.
- Required to 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 (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
- Must be able to see, hear and smell with or without the use of aides if necessary (exceptions on a case by case basis).
- Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
- Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
- Must perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
- Must be capable of standing on hard services (cement floors) for long periods of time.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
This is a contract position and supervisory controls will be set forth by the Contractor. Technical oversight will be provided by the Government Technical Monitor (GTM).
STG International, Inc (STGi) is a workforce solutions company providing comprehensive healthcare delivery, Head Start and management consulting services and human capital solutions help our clients. Our services and solutions help our clients sustain and enhance their operations to better accomplish their mission.
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_STGI OFFERS A COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, 401K WITH COMPANY MATCH AND A GENEROUS PTO POLICY.
EOE/MINORITIES/FEMALES/VET/DISABILITY
Required Experience