Pharmacy Technician, Correctional Health Services, OTxHU - NYC Health + Hospitals

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units Program (OTxHU)

Since 2016, Correctional Health Services (CHS) has been the direct provider of health care in the New York City jails. Deeply committed to human dignity and patient rights, CHS is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system and is a key partner in the City’s efforts to reform the criminal-legal system. Our in-jail clinical services include medical, nursing, and mental health care; pharmacy services; substance-use treatment; social work; dental and vision care; discharge planning; and reentry support.

Given the high visibility of this initiative, we are seeking the highest caliber health care professionals in key clinical services to staff our Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units (OTxHU). To be located in three NYC Health + Hospital acute care facilities, the OTxHU is a pioneering approach to safely increasing access to high quality clinical care for patients in custody who have complicated health conditions. OTxHUs will bridge the gap in the continuum between care provided in the jails and inpatient hospitalization, with admission to and discharge from the OTxHU in accordance with a patient’s clinical needs. CHS will be the primary health care providers on these units and the NYC Department of Correction will provide security and custody management.

The OTxHU at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in Manhattan will be the first of this unique, groundbreaking project to open with a planned completion date as early as the end of 2024. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a passionate and motivated team providing care to some of the City’s most marginalized, vulnerable people.

*To help support continuity of operations and care, staff selected to work in the OTxHU may also be required to work in CHS locations within the jails. Additionally, while CHS seeks the most qualified individuals for these positions, preference will be given to equally qualified, internal candidates.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Supervising Pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician performs all technical tasks in the unit dose, carry and out-patient drug distribution systems as well as other related duties of a satellite pharmacy. The Registered Pharmacist approves all work performed by the Pharmacy Technician. Must to able to travel and work on Rikers Island and any other future borough -based satellite facilities. Principally classified as medium duty work with frequent travel/walking between facilities. Frequent lifting of up to 20 pounds. Will be required to help push and/or pull medication carts weighing up to 300 lbs down long hallways and lift up to 35 pounds when needed. The pharmacy is fully computerized. We utilize the Pyxis system at each of our clinics. We are currently embarking on a computerized inventory system.

Responsibilities include:

• Assists in maintaining accurate patient profiles including compliance
• Fills and labels patient cassettes with non-carry and carry system medication bags from computer generated fill lists, and/or original drug orders
• Fills and labels patient discharge medications from a prescription order
• Fills and labels DOT medications
• Performs cart exchange in nursing areas
• Reviews distribution list to see if patient will be getting medication in morning
• Reviews what is in Pyxis - if medication is not in Pyxis, provides dose for morning court medications
• Files completed fill lists, updates lists, distribution lists, methadone sheets and other materials according to procedure
• Checks, rotates and restocks all drug stock areas. Fills Pyxis machines as require
• Delivers emergency boxes and other requested items to clinic or infirmary areas as needed
• Prepares weekly pharmacy stock order by utilizing par levels and building usage patterns for review by the pharmacist
• Enters orders into IDWhere and transmits on both a daily and weekly basis to packaging
• Reconciles packing slip or invoice against items received
• Records daily statistics on the RX Daily Stats Activity Report form in the computer
• Retrieves data from the computer as directed by the pharmacist and permitted by law
• Monitors the quality of patient care through quality assurance/improvement mechanisms
• Distributes medication that has been checked and approved by the pharmacist
• Refers to the pharmacist or clinic any patient who requires further information concerning their medication, is non-compliant, or is having difficulty tolerating their medication
• Handle other duties as necessary and directed by the Pharmacist

Department Preferences

1. High School Diploma/GED
2. Is Certified Pharmacy Technician - CPHT (PTCB)
3. Knowledgenowledge of brand/generic names and drug uses
4. Demonstrates pharmacy competence and independent decision making process.
5. Must be able to lift 35 pounds, and push/pull medication carts weighing 600 pounds. Demonstrates independent decision making/problem solving abilities
6. Ability to read, write, speak and understand English Working knowledge of the pharmacy and medical computer systems
7. Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, as well as with NYC DOC staff
8. Flexible disposition