Pharmacy Operations Specialist II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • $4,020 - $6,336 • Onsite

About The Position

Performs preparation work with pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the Pharmacy Branch warehouse. Work includes performing pharmaceutical stock keeping, delivery, technical assistance duties to involve compiling and tabulating data, checking documents for accuracy, and preparing vaccines or medications for credit or destruction. Retrieves orders from the PIMS system or other electronic pharmacy program and prints the pick list. Work involves the handling and processing of medication, biologicals, and medical supplies for distribution to Regional and local public health locations. Files, produces word-processing documents, and package drugs for shipments to Class D pharmacies. Performs complex (journey-level) pharmaceutical tasks and inventory control work by assisting in drug picking and packing, drug repackaging, drug labeling, and quality control and quality assurance functions under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist and in coordination with Pharmacy Branch personnel. Work includes performing pharmaceutical and medical supplies stock keeping, order processing, repackaging, relabeling, picking, and packing; compiling and tabulating data, checking documents for accuracy; correspondence with Branch customers; and preparing medications or supplies for credit or destruction. Works with warehouse inventory control software (currently PIMS), pharmacy processing software or other programs associated with processing pharmaceutical orders. Ensures compliance with established current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) for pharmaceuticals; maintains required records and labeling; produces word-processing and spreadsheet documents; processes and packages drugs, medical supplies, vaccines, and diagnostic equipment for shipments to public health clinics and Class D pharmacies. Serves on the shipping and receiving Process Improvement Team. Works under limited supervision. Coordinates daily work with Branch Pharmacists and team members using effective teaming, communication, and collaboration skills. Directs workflow of team members in the absence of the Team Lead. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Works under the direction of the Pharmacists, Operations Manager and Team Lead.

Requirements

• Knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical terminology.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws related to pharmaceutical operations.
• Knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word).
• Knowledge of computer literacy.
• Knowledge of business English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of personnel policies involving employee leave.
• Knowledge of mathematics.
• Knowledge of Repackaging and labeling equipment.
• Skill in operating repackaging equipment and labeling equipment.
• Skill in proper telephone etiquette.
• Skill in mathematics and pharmaceutical calculations.
• Skill in utilizing a calculator.
• Skill in filing.
• Skills in the use of Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook software.
• Skills in typing/word processing.
• Skills in proofreading and editing and filing.
• Ability to prepare prescriptions and inventory supplies.
• Ability to train the Pharmacy Technicians in repackaging and labeling pharmaceuticals.
• Ability to learn new techniques (adapt to change).
• Ability to communicate effectively, organize and prioritize.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to comprehend and implement written and oral instructions.
• Ability to move and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to understand and interpret pertinent policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and solve work problems independently and/or work with others to improve operations.
• Ability to work independently, in a team environment and on schedule.
• Ability to learn computer system.
• Ability to comprehend and implement written and oral instructions.
• Ability to coordinate, manage and prioritize a large and diverse number of activities with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to evaluate administrative procedures and suggest and implement improvements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with supervisory personnel, co-workers, and the public.
• Must have a current Texas Driver’s License.
• Must have a current and active Texas Pharmacy Technician License.

Responsibilities

• Receives written and automated drug orders for Health Service Regions (HSR), Local Health Departments (LHD), clinics and private providers of state purchased vaccines and biologicals for processing that have the approval from Division Director or authorized personnel.
• Retrieves orders from the Pharmacy Branch’s Pharmacy Inventory Management System (PIMS).
• Fills, and packs, HIV, TB, STD, vaccines, biologicals, and medical supplies to over 2000 clinics and locations statewide every month. Includes packing of dry and wet ice to insure proper temperature while in transit.
• Filling orders includes lot number, expiration dates on each HIV, TB, STD and Immunization orders.
• Select shipping modality and prints packing slip to go into the shipment.
• If the order needs a different lot number assigned to it or has a discrepancy, then it is returned to the Inventory personnel with a comment explain why the order is being returned.
• Responsible for basic pharmaceutical calculations.
• Receives over 2500 medications orders monthly (over 100 received daily) to pick from inventory, pack and ship to participating HSRs, LHDs, clinics and providers.
• Work involves checking Pharmacy personnel’s orders to ensure the correct drug and quantity are pulled from inventory.
• Initials all orders as checker and /or as picker and dates the order.
• Determines method of shipment (Fed Ex, UPS Air, Central Freight).
• Prepares shipping labels.
• Coordinates pick up of shipments with DSHS mailroom, air freight with appropriate company, deliver bus shipments to bus station, and make routine and emergency delivers to bus station and airport.
• Maintains list of contact persons for field offices.
• Contacts field personnel via courier tracking system and/or telephone after refrigerated shipment is made and again to see if shipment is received.
• Receives and stocks TB, STD, Hansen’s, vaccines, biologicals, HIV medication and medical supplies.
• Uses Branch’s electronic inventory management system and bar code scanning equipment to complete receiving and stocking functions.
• Maintains inventory of vaccines and biologicals on computer database.
• Checks quantities received against invoices for discrepancies.
• Completes required receiving documentation and communicates findings to the warehouse Team Lead or inventory control personnel as appropriate according to Branch policies and procedures.
• Documents lot numbers, expiration date and verifies quantities receive on TB and STD orders received.
• Accurately and correctly enter information into PIMS and stock material in warehouse.
• Any discrepancy is documented and given to the inventory personnel.
• Performs duties for routine physical inventory counts of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies coordinating with Branch Pharmacists, Team Leads and/or inventory control personnel.
• Completes and provides physical inventory records to inventory control personnel for verification.
• Performs backup shipping functions for fulfilled orders.
• Assists Pharmacists in operating drug repackaging equipment to repack and relabel bulk drugs into unit of use containers for shipment to Class D pharmacies and public health clinics.
• Operates automated drug repackaging machines to repackage TB medications into unit of use packets for Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) doses and STD medications into unit of use packets.
• Operates drug labeling equipment to label TB, STD and Hansen’s Disease medications or other medications accurately and in a timely manner.
• Performs picking and packing functions to complete medication orders for shipment.
• Utilizes Branch’s electronic inventory management system and bar code scanning equipment to accomplish order processing and inventory control functions.
• Performs drug repackaging and relabeling functions in compliance with Branch policies and procedures, and state and federal laws and regulations, including cGMPs.
• Creates specific medication labels for Health Service Regions (HSRs) and local health departments (LHD) and labels medications for distribution.
• Completes and maintains quality control records and production records, including sample labels, for all required drug repackaging and relabeling functions and production batches.
• Serves on the shipping and receiving Process Improvement Team.
• Types shipping labels and provides special reports to the Inventory Coordinator, Pharmacists and/or managers.
• Performs repackaging functions such as breaking bulk-size containers of drugs into optimum size-of-use containers under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
• Enters the orders into the computer and determines that the information such as generic name, expiration date, and lot number are properly recorded on the label.
• Prints the labels and places them on the vials.
• As a member of the Pharmacy Branch’s quality control unit, conducts reviews and evaluations of equipment, machines and pharmaceutical supplies used in drug repackaging and relabeling and makes recommendations for business process improvements.
• Assists in training Unit employees on picking, packing and shipping medications.
• Completes and maintains maintenance and cleaning records according to Branch policies and procedures.
• Prepares correspondence and work documents using MS Office (Outlook, Word & Excel) software.
• Provides assistance to Unit customers; corresponds with public health clinics and pharmacies in regard to order details, processing, shipping and receiving of vaccines, medications and medical supplies; inventory of drugs and accuracy of reported information.
• Communicates with several Program via email or phone concerning discrepancies.
• Verifies the information which includes pulling the order and checking the product name, quantity, who filled and check the order before it was shipped.
• Also, checks FedEx for tracking information to verify receipt of medications.
• Implements corrections of the order as needed.
• Assists Pharmacists and inventory control personnel in conducting periodic product inventories.
• Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Available to pack emergency orders after hours and deliver to common carrier for emergency shipping.
• Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• insurance coverage
• other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
• early career pathways

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed