Pharmacy Technician

Cognito LLC a Planned Systems International (PSI) joint venture is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) at the El Paso Processing Center in El Paso TX.

As a civilian contractor working for Cognito you will utilize your abilities as a Pharmacy Technician to provide the safe delivery of highquality 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.

• Be a Part of the Team: Cognito is a MentorProtg Joint Venture between QuarterLine Consulting Services and Resolution Think. Cognito is completely committed to providing highquality service to our customers and to delivering worldclass healthcare.
• The Benefits: Our team offers competitive compensation packages a full range of benefits continuing education and excellent worklife balance to ensure your success.
• Type of Work: Full Time
• Location: El Paso Processing Center El Paso TX
  

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 followup.
• 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 nongovernment 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 IHSCs 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.

• 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 multicultural and multilingual 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 coworkers 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 webbased 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).

• 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.

PSI offers fulltime benefits eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave and options for employer sponsored group medical dental vision shortterm and longterm disability life insurance AD&D coverage legal services identity theft and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health saving account options offer pretax savings for qualified medical dental and vision expenses. The company sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. We invest in the professional growth of our employees through professional courses certifications and tuition reimbursement programs.

It is company policy to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions including but not limited to recruiting hiring training promotion compensation benefits and termination are made without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation pregnancy gender identity genetic information national origin citizenship status veteran status protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact Human Resources by emailing or by dialing.