Pharmacy Inventory Logistics Technician

Trinity Health•Ann Arbor, MI

About The Position

The Pharmacy Inventory Logistics Technician procures, stores, and distributes pharmaceuticals, diagnostic agents, intravenous solutions, related equipment, and supplies for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System sites. The position monitors pharmacy inventory using industry inventory-management practices, information systems, and technology; repackages products that are not commercially available in unit doses or need readable bar codes; and maintains documentation required by licensing, accrediting, and regulatory agencies. The technician maintains the hospital formulary in computer systems, bills medications requested by other departments as needed, and coordinates medications and equipment in ALS boxes, including representing the hospital at regional ALS meetings. The role manages purchasing, receiving, storage, inventory levels, audits, controlled-substance records, distribution, and billing. It supports pharmacy automation and bar-coding initiatives, performs assigned inspections and technician or team-leader duties according to departmental needs, and may prepare medications under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. The technician may also participate in department on-call coverage on a rotational basis as necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least one year of education in a related field, such as general business, computers, or inventory/operations management.
At least two years of progressively responsible work experience as a hospital Pharmacy Technician or in related work, including knowledge of drug distribution, drug formulary inventory control, and billing processes.
Current State of Michigan Pharmacy Technician license.
Ability to perform basic to advanced mathematical calculations.
Interpersonal and communication skills to work with all levels of Health System staff, manufacturers, and suppliers professionally and collegially.
General knowledge of computers, software applications, and hardware configurations, including procurement and inventory systems, spreadsheets, database management, word processing, system-integration software, and bar-code systems and equipment.
Ability to stand for long periods and/or walk long distances without difficulty.
Ability to handle hazardous, flammable, corrosive, and antineoplastic items, drugs, and IV boxes weighing up to 40 pounds, and occasionally move IV carts weighing up to 1,100 pounds.
Ability to complete tasks with a high degree of accuracy.
Analytical and cognitive skills to evaluate logistics systems and design effective work processes.
Organizational skills to manage multiple competing activities and limited time and resources without sacrificing quality, timeliness, or completeness.

Responsibilities

Place purchase orders; receive pharmacy supplies; verify product integrity, accuracy, and expiration dates; resolve discrepancies with suppliers; and restock items in appropriate locations.
Manage ordering platforms and contribute to setting appropriate inventory levels across service points and intermediate storage locations.
Anticipate seasonal or atypical needs, arrange to maintain adequate inventory, and communicate inventory status to operational staff.
Ensure products are within expiration dates and stored in accordance with licensing, regulatory, and accrediting requirements.
Audit utilization, purchasing, and billing activity; investigate discrepancies; prepare reconciliation reports; and make improvements to purchasing accuracy and controls.
Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and colleagues on product requirements, storage, handling, distribution, utilization trends, safety, environmental issues, security, and financial integrity.
Set priorities, design procurement and distribution workflows, measure outcomes, and adjust processes to meet financial and quality objectives.
Complete forms and procedures required for state and federal controlled-substance regulations.
Maintain separate inventories for controlled substances, hazardous chemicals, investigational drugs, expired medications, and outpatient oncology; complete related documentation and reports.
Deliver medications, IV solutions and sets, and pharmacy supplies accurately and on time to end-user departments, including offsite SJMHS locations; develop plans to improve customer satisfaction.
Maintain appropriate stock of repackaged and bar-coded medications, collaborate with the Automation Technician on pharmacy automation software and hardware, and support bar-coding initiatives.
Participate in training and orientation of new employees.
Perform duties safely, report hazards and unsafe practices, and help resolve safety, sanitation, and environmental maintenance problems.
Perform Technician or Team Leader tasks as needed, including duties in oncology, inpatient, or outpatient areas; complete assigned unit inspections; and prepare medications under direct pharmacist supervision.
Communicate product-related issues to pharmacy staff promptly and assist other pharmacy purchasing team members as needed.
Demonstrate self-directed learning and provide quality patient care that considers age-specific, developmental, and cultural needs while maintaining unit or area competencies.
Participate in department on-call coverage on a rotational basis as necessary.
Assess medication-error risks, including look-alike packaging, sound-alike names, strength or volume changes, and bar-code scanning issues; select alternatives to help avert errors and seek products with quantities closest to administered doses.
Remove expired and recalled drugs from inventory and coordinate their return, destruction, or donation.
Add, delete, and update drugs in PDS, Pyxis, AS400, and the Charge Master; respond to drug-cost requests.
Complete month-end financial reports related to inpatient inventory.
Coordinate the physical inventory of the inpatient pharmacy.
Coordinate and ensure accurate electronic billing for medications dispensed through the inpatient pharmacy.
Fill, label, and update ALS boxes and represent the hospital at the regional ALS committee.