Outpatient Pharmacy Inventory Specialist

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Outpatient Pharmacy Purchasing Manager and Outpatient Pharmacy Purchasing Supervisor, the Outpatient Pharmacy Inventory Specialist supports procurement and inventory maintenance for outpatient, retail, and mail-order pharmacy pharmaceuticals, DMEPOS, and related pharmacy supplies. The role includes purchasing medications and supplies, monitoring and rotating inventory, and processing returns to ensure appropriate wholesaler credits. The specialist also supports compliant inventory handling, order processing, delivery tracking, and pharmacy services while following department and hospital policies, safety procedures, and behavioral standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and strong mathematical skills.
Registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy.
National pharmacy technician certification from either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
At least 3–4 years of related experience; experience in shipping, receiving, material handling, inventory maintenance, or pharmacy is preferred.
Ability to speak English and read, interpret, and precisely, accurately, and dependably follow complicated verbal and written instructions.
Ability to work independently and complete assigned daily tasks consistently, on time, and to expectations.
Familiarity with 340B and Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) ordering and dispensing.
Experience with QS1–NRX or a similar outpatient pharmacy operating system.
Effective interpersonal skills for interacting appropriately with nursing staff, patients, families and visitors, physicians, and other hospital staff.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
Ability to multitask, prioritize essential tasks, and meet deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word, and ability to adapt to specialized inventory and stock-control software.
Ability to adapt readily to changes in schedule specifications and work priorities as business and customer needs require.
Physical ability to lift heavy loads as required for filling medication supply orders.
Must maintain the required level of competency to perform essential duties and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Some college, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
Related experience in shipping, receiving, material handling, inventory maintenance, or pharmacy.

Responsibilities

Maintain purchasing invoice records by reviewing them for accuracy and storing and filing them appropriately.
Manage the Track & Trace database in accordance with procedural requirements.
Monitor medication inventory for expiration, rotate stock, store products within USP guidelines, and accurately stock daily wholesaler deliveries on time.
Keep medication shelves and storage areas clean, organized, and orderly.
Process drug returns promptly and appropriately, adjust inventory levels, ensure returns meet manufacturer and wholesaler shipping requirements, and reconcile processed credits against invoices.
Ensure assigned tasks are accurate and reviewed by supervising personnel when required before completing critical tasks, including order submission and data imports or exports.
Run and review pharmacy-system reports to identify potential problems with suggested daily orders based on par levels and drug budgets before orders are transmitted.
Identify the correct Purchase Order numbers for each facility when placing drug orders.
Transmit and verify Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) drug inventory files, identify transmission defaults, and alert management about issues and corrective plans.
Follow up on problematic medication deliveries and track dropship medications within and out of the hospital with supporting documentation, such as invoices.
Immediately report incorrect shipments and other safety issues to the supervisor.
Perform cycle counts, investigate discrepancies, and rectify them.
Read department communications and maintain the filing system for daily transaction documents.
Complete appropriate paperwork for transferring medications and supplies and perform department-required quality assurance responsibilities.
Exhibit model AIDET behaviors and follow hospital behavioral standards, including BMC’s RESPECT standards, in support of customer service, patient care, and the hospital’s mission and goals.
Interact courteously and with a customer-focused approach with patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees; maintain strict confidentiality of personal and health-sensitive information.
Anticipate and respond to pharmacists’ service needs in support of pharmacy services.
Follow established hospital infection-control and safety procedures.
Perform other related tasks as needed.