Staff Pharmacist (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

The pharmacist provides pharmaceutical services for ICE detainees, including reviewing, dispensing, and counseling on prescriptions; managing inventory; ensuring compliance with IHSC policies; maintaining records; and supporting clinic operations. This role is non-supervisory and reports to the Lead Pharmacist.

This position is only open to USPHS officers who are currently IHSC employees.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

Qualifications:

COMPETENCIES:

1. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
2. Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
3. Demonstrates strong problem solving, judgment and decision-making skills.
4. Flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
5. Integrity and honesty.
6. Cultural competency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
2. Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
3. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
5. Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
6. Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
7. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
8. Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.

Responsibilities:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Reviews individual prescriptions and determines the name of the drug, strength, and dosage of drugs to be dispensed.
2. Adjusts prescription instructions and drug quantities to correspond to strengths and dosage forms stocked at the medical clinic.
3. Correlates instructions on the prescription with pharmacy policy limitations and notes such on the prescription.
4. Types accurate and concise labels that precisely convey provider's instructions to the patients.
5. 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.
6. Counsels patients on the appropriate use of medication(s), utilizing the patient's native language if possible, or medication information handouts in the patient's native language if available.
7. 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.
8. If drug requested is not on formulary, discusses therapeutic options with the provider , suggesting drugs listed in the program formulary where possible.
9. If a non-formulary drug is deemed necessary, assists the provider in filling out a non- formulary request form and obtaining approval where necessary.
10. Answers routine inquiries from doctors, nurses, & other staff on the availability of specific items, e.g., drugs in stock, new drugs on order, & dosage forms available in the pharmacy.
11. Answers questions concerning drug reactions, drug interactions, new drugs, etc.
12. Optional: may practice as a clinical pharmacist if a collaborative practice agreement is approved.
13. Packages bulk drugs (liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments & creams, etc.) into specific quantities and various sized containers.
14. Operates tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines for the purpose of repackaging drugs.
15. Records all prepacking information including lot number, expiration date, manufacturer, current date, and initials.
16. 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.
17. Packages bulk drugs (liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments & creams, etc.) into specific quantities and various sized containers.
18. Places orders for supplies from appropriate sources and tracks supply usage to minimize out of stock items or excess inventories.
19. Receives pharmaceutical supplies & checks receipts against requisitions. Checks for shortage, breakage, deterioration & expiration dates. Discrepancies found are reported to the supplier.
20. 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.
21. Is responsible for general orderliness, cleanliness & maintenance of pharmacy equipment. Participates in monthly & annual inventory of pharmacy service as required.
22. Types narrative & tabular material such as correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, forms & labels.
23. Types from clean copy, rough draft or handwritten notes without errors or corrections when required, & in accordance with the established format.
24. On a daily basis checks the medicine cabinet & all areas of the clinic where night pharmacy service is available.
25. Responsible for refilling any missing pharmacy drug or supply item used during the night or weekend.
26. Inspects & logs the temperature of areas where pharmaceuticals are stored.
27. Answers telephone & takes messages for the pharmacy in a courteous professional manner and drives a GSA vehicle when necessary.
28. Responsible for creating & maintaining file folders for upcoming Fiscal Year files & other miscellaneous files.
29. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisory staff.