Pharmacy Technician

QuarterLine; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

AD&D

Legal services

Identity theft protection

401(k) match

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Cognito, a joint venture of Planned Systems International, seeks a Pharmacy Technician to support the ICE Health Services Corps at the Houston Contract Detention Facility, Houston, TX. As a civilian contractor, you will provide safe delivery of high‑quality health care to those in ICE custody within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include preparing and dispensing medications, direct patient care, emergency coordination, and maintaining records in an electronic health record

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
• Experience as a Pharmacy Technician for at least 1 year.
• Background check and drug screen required.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature, dosage forms, and dispensing.
• Experience with electronic health records and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and dispense medication orders.
• Provide direct patient care within scope of practice.
• Read prescriptions and ensure accuracy.
• Enter vouchers or invoices for monitoring pharmacy expenditures.
• Maintain and update patient records in the EHR system.
• Ensure confidentiality under HIPAA and Privacy Act.

Skills

English proficiency

Microsoft Office

HIPAA knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

SharePoint

Job description

Location

Houston Contract Detention Facility, Houston, TX

Job Title

Pharmacy Technician

Overview

Cognito, a joint venture of Planned Systems International, is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) at the Houston Contract Detention Facility, Houston, TX. As a civilian contractor, you will provide safe delivery of high‑quality health care to those in ICE custody. This role supports a multidisciplinary healthcare team that includes public health service officers, civil service staff, and other contractors, ensuring quality healthcare services for detainees.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Pharmacy Technician
• Pass a background check and drug screen; current physical exam and immunizations
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature, dosage forms, pharmaceutical weighting and measuring systems, equipment operation and care, storage and dispensing, and prescription preparation for pharmacist review
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment
• Proficiency in English (verbal and written)
• Experience in an electronic health record environment, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
• Knowledge of HIPAA/Privacy Act regarding patient confidentiality
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, cultural competency, integrity, and honesty
• Experience in a detention/correctional or residential health‑care setting (preferred)

Job Responsibilities

• Perform all duties related to preparation and dispensing of medication orders.
• Provide direct patient care within scope of practice and perform functions according to licensure, certification, and granted privileges.
• Treat patients across the lifespan as appropriate to discipline and facility setting.
• Coordinate response to medical emergencies as required.
• Read prescriptions and determine drug name, strength, and dosage; correlate instructions with pharmacy policy limitations.
• Set up prescriptions by selecting correct stock, counting medication, and packaging; place medication for final pharmacist review.
• Consult with the Clinical Services Manager or clinical pharmacist to clarify prescription problems and determine when a pharmacist must be alerted.
• Prioritize dispensing requests based on pharmacist notification and critical nature.
• Receive supplies and check receipts against requisitions.
• Check for shortages, breakage, deterioration, and expiration dates; report discrepancies to pharmacist.
• Enter vouchers or invoices into program applications for monitoring pharmacy expenditures and generating reports.
• Consult with pharmacist to prevent inventory problems and prepare requisitions.
• Withdraw outdated drugs, determine disposition (destruction or credit returns), and prepare necessary paperwork.
• Place supply orders through mandatory sources, data‑entry into computer applications for cost and shipping information, and generate quarterly reports.
• Adjust order quantities to avoid depletion; notify pharmacist of discrepancies.
• Package bulk drugs (liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments, creams) in specified quantities and containers.
• Operate equipment such as tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines.
• Record prepackage information including lot number, expiration date, manufacturer, date, and initials for pharmacist review.
• Check the medicine cabinet and clinic areas daily for night pharmacy service; refill missing drugs or supplies.
• Inspects and logs refrigerator temperatures; report problems.
• Conduct staff orientations on pharmacy policy and practice when directed or with a pharmacist.
• Keep staff informed of protocol changes, drug recalls, and other safety‑critical updates.
• Use a personal computer to enter and tabulate data for monthly workload records.
• Manipulate spreadsheet software to provide statistical analysis of workload; prepare quarterly trend reports.
• Collect and tabulate daily workload data, prepare figures for statistical programs, and enter data accordingly.
• Familiarize with the statistical program used at the location and other basic spreadsheet tools.
• Maintain proficiency with all program aspects, including adding and editing patients, doctors, and drugs, and querying data for drug usage statistics.
• Add new patients to the pill line and update patient information when orders renew.
• Prepare computer‑generated medication administration records (MAR) for patients on the pill line.
• Add new patients to the Isoniazid tuberculosis prophylaxis (DOT) list when separate from the pill line.
• Clean equipment and work areas in the pharmacy.
• Perform record‑keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position requirements.
• Maintain functional proficiency with electronic health records as required.
• Complete and pass all discipline‑specific competency testing initially and annually.
• Complete all initial, annual, and ad‑hoc training as required.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and medical record confidentiality in compliance with the Privacy Act and HIPAA.
• Adhere to IHSC policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda, and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
• Participate in IHSC's safety, prevention, infection control, quality improvement, patient education, and other programs as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in general or medical staff meetings.

Physical Demands

• Move unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, or lift moderately heavy patients or equipment as required.
• Maintain agility, dexterity, vision, and hearing required for task performance.
• Respond to any medical emergency within four minutes and perform CPR or emergency care as needed.
• Assist sick or injured detainees or staff during emergency evacuation.

Company Benefits

PSI offers full‑time, benefits‑eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave, and options for employer‑sponsored group medical, dental, vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, AD&D coverage, legal services, identity theft, and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health savings account options provide pre‑tax savings for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. The company‑sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. PSI invests in professional growth through courses, certifications, and tuition reimbursement programs.

EEO Commitment

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, 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 [e-mail] or by dialing 703‑575‑8400.