Pharmacist

DIHS has a position opening for a Pharmacists to perform a variety of duties related to ambulatory drug distribution and quality control. Incumbent performs all duties related to preparation and dispensing of medication orders.

Duties and Responsibilites:

• Reads individual prescriptions and determines the name of the drug, strength, and dosage of drugs to be dispensed.
• Adjusts prescription instructions and drug quantities to correspond to strengths and dosage forms stocked at the medical clinic.
• Correlates instructions on the prescription with pharmacy policy limitations and notes such on the prescription.
• Types accurate and concise labels that precisely convey provider's instructions to the patients.
• Fills prescriptions by obtaining the correct drug stock, counting the correct amount of medication, placing the medication in smaller containers, and affixing the prescription label and all appropriate auxiliary labels.
• Counsels patients on the appropriate use of medication(s), utilizing the patients native language if possible, or medication information handouts in the patient's native language if available.
• Based on the substantive knowledge and familiarity with a wide range of a articles stocked in the pharmacy, screens all prescriptions upon receipt concerning availability of drug & dosage prescribed.
• If drug requested is not on formulary, discusses therapeutic options with the provider , suggesting drugs listed in the program formulary where possible.
• If a non-formulary drug is deemed necessary, assists the provider in filling out a non-formulary request form and obtaining approval where necessary.
• Answers routine inquiries from doctors, nurses, & other staff on the availability of specific items, e.g., drugs in stock, new drugs on order, & dosage forma available in the pharmacy.
• Answers questions concerning drug reactions, drug interactions, new drugs, etc.
• Dispenses "over the counter" drugs, as specified in pharmacy formulary without countersignature of physician.
• Packages bulk drugs (liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments & creams, etc.) into specific quantities and various sized containers.
• Operates tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines for the purpose of repackaging drugs.
• Records all prepacking information including lot number, expiration date, manufacturer, current date, and initials.
• Fills all requisitioned items from other areas of the clinic. If the medication is not available in the requested quantity, makes necessary computations to provide the order in a different unit of measure.
• Prepares bulk compounds and packages a variety of simple solutions & products, most of which are for external application, such as mouthwashes & disinfecting agents, etc.
• Places orders for supplies from appropriate sources and tracks supply usage to minimize out of stock items or excess inventories.
• Assists nursing department in locating sources for hard-to-find items and places orders for nursing supplies based on levels established by that department. Researches supply vendors to find most economical sources for each item (within procurement guidelines.)
• Receives pharmaceutical supplies & checks receipts against requisitions. Checks for shortage, breakage, deterioration & expiration dates. Discrepancies found are reported to the supplier.
• Inspects stock to determine frequency of re-ordering drug items, maintenance of current pricing & proper stock rotation. Withdraws outdated drugs, determines proper disposition (destruction or credit returns) & prepares necessary paperwork to initiate proper action.
• Is responsible for general orderliness, cleanliness & maintenance of pharmacy equipment. Participates in monthly & annual inventory of pharmacy service as required.
• Types narrative & tabular material such as correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, forms & labels.
• Types from clean copy, rough draft or handwritten notes without errors or corrections when required, & in accordance with the established format.
• On a daily basis checks the medicine cabinet & all areas of the clinic where night pharmacy service is available.
• Responsible for refilling any missing pharmacy drug or supply item used during the night.
• Inspects & logs the temperature of all clinic areas where any type of pharmaceuticals are stored.
• On a monthly basis gathers all pharmacy statistical information required to collaborate a complete, monthly report and routes that report through the HSA to INS HSD Headquarters.
• Also, on a monthly basis, inventories all controlled substances and inspects all clinic areas where pharmaceuticals are stored.
• Answers telephone & takes messages for the pharmacy in a courteous professional manner and drives a GSA vehicle when necessary.
• Responsible for creating & maintaining file folders for upcoming Fiscal Year files & other miscellaneous files.
• Must be willing to be cross trained to assist in other areas within clinic setting depending on workloads and staffing patterns.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

FACTOR 1, Knowledge:

• Expertise in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and all management aspects related to the practice of pharmacy in a clinic/infirmary setting.
• Possesses necessary skills for operating manual, electric or word processing typewriters and IBM Personal Computers (or compatible systems).
• Possesses knowledge of grammar, spelling & punctuation to identify and correct errors to insure accurate copy.
• Possesses knowledge of and is competent in understanding and communicating pharmaceutical nomenclature including generic, chemical & trade names, Latin abbreviations, dosage forms, drug strengths, formulations & English-Metric equivalents.
• Competent in data entry and ability to work with & analyze numbers, including bookkeeping & basic accounting skills.
• Competent in the use of office machines including phonocopiers, typewriters, calculators, personal computers & word processing equipment.
• Competent in the application of computer programs to facilitate management operations in a clinic environment.
• Possesses ability to work efficiently, accurately & organized in a fast paced environment.

FACTOR 3, Supervisory Controls:

• Works under the direction of the HSA.
• Accepts supervisory responsibilities in an acting role as assigned by the HSA.

FACTOR 4, Physical Demands:

Is capable of: Lifting and carrying a moderate amount of weight upto 45 lbs, reaching above the shoulders, standing for extended periods of time (6-8 hours), performing repeated bending and possesses complete usage of legs, feet, hands, fingers, ears and eyes with or without an appropriate aid or prosthetic device.

FACTOR 5, Work Environment:

Work is performed in the medical section of the medical facility in an INS Service Processing Center for detained undocumented migrants. The work is performed in a medical setting where there is exposure as well as risk associated in work with detained populations having criminal and non-criminal backgrounds.