Pharmacy Buyer

DCH Health Care Authority•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Overview The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for the cost-effective procurement of pharmaceuticals, IVFs, and medical supplies to ensure optimal stock levels. This role coordinates logistics and transfers among DCH affiliates and external partners while overseeing inventory management and medication-related issues. Additionally, the Buyer administers split-billing process for wholesaler accounts and ensures all products are in ready-to-use form for immediate dispensing. Responsibilities Procurement & Financial Management Purchasing: Execute cost-effective procurement of pharmaceuticals, IVFs, and medical supplies, ensuring adherence to contracts and lowest-price offerings. 340B Compliance: Maintain 340B program compliance using split-billing software across all wholesaler accounts. Financial Reconciliation: Reconcile invoices and packing slips for accuracy; resolve shipment discrepancies and assist with invoice coding for payment. Revenue Cycle: Prepare and execute monthly billing for interdepartmental units, affiliated clinics, and external institutions. Cost Analysis: Identify drug usage trends and high-cost items; develop cost-saving initiatives and participate in performance improvement activities. Inventory & Operations Receiving & Verification: Oversee the receipt of orders, ensuring accurate barcode linking in Meditech and Connect-Rx systems. Medication Readiness: Ensure all inventory is properly labeled, sealed, and in ready-to-use form for patients and automation. System Maintenance: Update NDC/CIN changes in inventory systems and maintain organized departmental documentation. Inventory Audits: Coordinate annual inventory with vendors and management; perform systematic checks for outdated medications and area cleanliness. Returns & Waste: Manage the expired drug return process and ensure proper disposal of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste in compliance with Joint Commission standards. Supply Chain & Communication Shortage Management: Monitor and communicate medication shortages in real-time; update shortage databases and execute commensurate purchasing actions. Recall Management: Coordinate drug recalls, including staff communication, database maintenance, and required paperwork. Vendor Relations: Meet with pharmaceutical representatives and work with vendors to ensure stable supply chains for CC Pharmacy and other units. Reporting: Prepare and present purchasing reports to pharmacy management as required. Training & Professional Development Training: Serve as a preceptor for new hire pharmacy technicians, students, and pharmacists. Regulatory Knowledge: Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of State and Federal laws affecting pharmacy practice. Continuous Growth: Participate in continuing education, seminars, and vendor training to ensure professional growth. Departmental Support: Perform additional technician duties as needed to ensure departmental flexibility and patient care. DCH Standards: Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation. Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self. Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees. Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees. Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees. Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet. Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures. All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Currently registered (or eligible for registration) as a Pharmacy Technician in the State of Alabama.
Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Minimum of two years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English professionally.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain departmental flexibility to meet patient care needs.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in pharmaceutical procurement or purchasing preferred.
Proficiency in medication dosages, forms, and pharmacy terminology preferred.
Ability to operate pharmacy-related equipment, including computers, calculators, fax machines, and transfer carts.

Responsibilities

Execute cost-effective procurement of pharmaceuticals, IVFs, and medical supplies, ensuring adherence to contracts and lowest-price offerings.
Maintain 340B program compliance using split-billing software across all wholesaler accounts.
Reconcile invoices and packing slips for accuracy; resolve shipment discrepancies and assist with invoice coding for payment.
Prepare and execute monthly billing for interdepartmental units, affiliated clinics, and external institutions.
Identify drug usage trends and high-cost items; develop cost-saving initiatives and participate in performance improvement activities.
Oversee the receipt of orders, ensuring accurate barcode linking in Meditech and Connect-Rx systems.
Ensure all inventory is properly labeled, sealed, and in ready-to-use form for patients and automation.
Update NDC/CIN changes in inventory systems and maintain organized departmental documentation.
Coordinate annual inventory with vendors and management; perform systematic checks for outdated medications and area cleanliness.
Manage the expired drug return process and ensure proper disposal of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste in compliance with Joint Commission standards.
Monitor and communicate medication shortages in real-time; update shortage databases and execute commensurate purchasing actions.
Coordinate drug recalls, including staff communication, database maintenance, and required paperwork.
Meet with pharmaceutical representatives and work with vendors to ensure stable supply chains for CC Pharmacy and other units.
Prepare and present purchasing reports to pharmacy management as required.
Serve as a preceptor for new hire pharmacy technicians, students, and pharmacists.
Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of State and Federal laws affecting pharmacy practice.
Participate in continuing education, seminars, and vendor training to ensure professional growth.
Perform additional technician duties as needed to ensure departmental flexibility and patient care.
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.