Medical Center Buyer - Pharmacy

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Job Title:
Medical Center Buyer - Pharmacy

Department:
University Hospital | Pharmacy

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Pharmacy Buyer works under the direction of the Pharmaceutical Commodity Manager and has purchasing purview for the entire health system. The buyer supports the Department of Pharmacy with purchases of pharmaceutical supplies and services, assuring cost containment, maintaining appropriate inventory levels, directing end-users to approved products and vendors whenever possible. The buyer is responsible for daily processing of pharmaceutical supplies and services within the constraints of our primary and secondary vendor agreements, special requisitions and expediting orders if necessary in order to meet critical patient care and operational needs.  They monitor electronic orders in real-time and take necessary actions to prevent potential delays and pricing issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

40%    Purchasing Operations

• Monitors and maintains inventory levels of pharmaceuticals through the use of a perpetual inventory system; adjusts par levels as necessary
• Purchases medications on a daily basis  in compliance with the 340B drug pricing program, including the use of split billing software, and making purchases on the respective 340B, GPO, and WAC accounts
• Maintains all systems for wholesalers, vendors, and manufacturers in coordination with the Pharmaceutical Commodity Manager.
• Considers generic substitution, biosimilars, and contract pricing on all pharmaceutical purchases
• Evaluates all requisitions for accuracy, appropriateness, authorization, and completeness
• Assists front line staff in the coordination and receipt of all pharmaceuticals; ensures appropriate storage of pharmaceuticals in automated dispensing cabinets, automated storage devices, refrigerators, and controlled-substance safes
• Participates in automated dispensing cabinet inventory optimization, including the need to alter drug inventory levels
• Expedites rush order requests as necessary; advises end-users on ways to avoid rush orders in the future
• Processes special requisitions of pharmaceutical supplies; checks for current products that would meet end-user needs without the need for a special request, and redirects order, if applicable
• Maintains compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act by ensuring the receipt and ongoing storage of transaction information, transaction histories, and transaction statements
• Assists the 340B team, as necessary, during internal audits to monitor utilization records and 340B purchasing accounts to ensure that software and tools are working properly and accurately
• Accepts only serialized products as required by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
• Reconciles purchase orders and packing slips to ensure receipt of medications into the pharmaceutical inventory

30% Problem Solving

• Monitors outbound purchase orders and subsequent electronic notices from vendors in real-time, addressing flagged order issues in order to prevent delays in receipt of pharmaceutical supplies
• Quarantines suspect products that arrive at the medical center and conducts thorough investigations to ensure legitimacy of the pharmaceutical supply as required by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
• Removes illegitimate products from the pharmaceutical supply and notifies the Pharmaceutical Commodity Manager.
• Assists Department of Pharmacy staff outside normal business hours when special requisitions of pharmaceutical supplies are needed to ensure patient care needs are met
• Participates in the Department of Pharmacy’s purchasing on call program
• Assists the Pharmaceutical Commodity Manager in the mitigation of drug shortages
• Communicates and meets with vendor representatives as needed for contract and product information

30% Customer Service

• Reprioritizes work throughout the day to meet priority patient care needs
• Participates in electronic package-level traceability system as required by the Drug Supply Chain Security Act
• Assists pharmacy staff in ordering pharmaceutical supplies and services, encouraging utilization of existing products, contracts and vendors
• Supports the pharmacy operations team and the pharmacy IT team during purchasing-related projects and issues
• Works with and advises end-users in acquisition, receiving, inventory, and distribution questions and solves discrepancies related to them

Minimum Qualifications:

For Hire:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• 2-4 years’ experience in Supply Chain Management, Business, Healthcare or relevant field
• 1-2 years’ experience in pharmacy operations or as a pharmacy technician
• Pharmacy Technician certification (May receive after hire)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Healthcare or relevant field
• Relevant experience such as pharmaceutical care inventory management and/or purchasing
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Certification in a related field

Patient Population Served:

Knowledge of growth and development and an understanding of the range of treatments necessary to meet the age specific needs of the patient population served (Check those that apply):

Not Applicable: Non-patient care title

       X

Adolescents (14  - 17 years)

Neonates (0 - 6 months)

Adults (18  - 64 years)

Children (7 months - 13 years)

Geriatrics (65 + years)

Additional Information:

Location:
Doan Hall (0089)

Position Type:
Regular

Scheduled Hours:
40

Shift:
First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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