Pharmacy Buyer, Sr. - Huntsville Central Pharmacy

UTMB Health • Huntsville, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of Correctional Managed Care is to address the healthcare needs of underserved patient populations within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). This role provides guidance and support to Pharmacy buyers and operations staff, focusing on purchasing, inventory, distribution, and record-keeping for medications within the Pharmacy Department.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of related experience in a health system pharmacy, two (2) of which must be in pharmacy purchasing specifically.
• Registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician.
• Current knowledge of safety regulations in the department and in the implementation of new policies and procedures.
• Current knowledge of state procurement regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Proficient knowledge of operating system software, desktop applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, etc., interfaces, and pharmacy information system applications as they relate to the automated dispensing machines.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize and solve problems.
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work well under pressure, take initiative, and be flexible and cooperative.
• Able to spend most of the day standing, walking, or bending.
• Able to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, pull, reach, push up to 50 lbs., and regularly and occasionally lift 0-30 lbs.
• Security clearance is required.
• Pre-employment drug testing is also required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Supply Chain Management/Procurement Certification.

Responsibilities

• Initiates purchase orders for pharmaceuticals and supplies.
• Reviews all drug orders to assure vendor selection complies with optimal contractual advantages.
• Evaluates the use of off-contract and/or non-formulary purchases and ensures adequate justification exists for such purchases.
• Receives, processes, and arranges timely payment for invoices for all products acquired.
• Coordinates and maintains timely flow of purchasing data and receipts to Accounts Payable.
• Ensures adequate stock levels while keeping overall inventory levels to a minimum by analyzing inventory par levels and optimizing inventory turns.
• Monitors backorders, drug shortages, and recalls and works to minimize impact by identifying alternative sources and products.
• Communicates status to groups impacted.
• Works with the reverse distributor to maximize credit for returns and wastes appropriate outdated drugs as needed.
• Recommends changes in methods and procedures to improve systems of procurement and takes an active role in departmental quality improvement initiatives; identifies and takes action when processes can be improved to reduce waste, improve workflow, and reduce drug expense.
• Supports compliance with 340B Program and reviews drug accumulations and 340B purchasing records to ensure split-bill software systems are correctly reflecting all purchase orders; maximizes 340B purchasing opportunities; communicates issues to the 340B Team.
• Purchases pharmaceuticals within operational and compliance requirements of the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
• Purchases within a variety of 340B program set ups (mixed-use, 340B pure, virtual inventory, non-virtual inventory), and various 340B software systems.
• Performs GPO, 340B, and direct vendor purchasing contracting and maintains product and vendor information.
• Analyzes GPO, 340B and direct vendor purchases to optimize cost saving initiatives and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Creates cost-effective procurement processes that meet established budgets and targets.
• Leads biannual medication inventory.
• Prepares purchasing and inventory reports as requested by departmental leadership.
• Coordinates borrow and loan systems from other hospitals.
• Participates in the development of tools and standards to establish and improve competency levels of the pharmacy buyers, students, and operational staff including orientation of new employees, in-service training, and competency assessments.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and medication safety initiatives.
• Participates in or leads various committees, task forces, and workgroups as assigned.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure established for the department.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Salary is commensurate with years of relevant work experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED