Pharmacy Buyer

What Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing contributes to Cardinal Health
The Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing team is responsible for managing supplier relations at a tactical level by executing and expediting purchase orders. Supply Chain Inventory/Purchasing ensures the right quantity of products arrive in the right place, at the right time and cost. Assists in negotiating product and supply chain costs. Utilize terms and conditions of supplier contracts, work with internal customers to improve processes, and evaluate supplier performance that ultimately improves the supply chain.

Job Summary

The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for purchasing the necessary drugs and materials for the Pharmacy Department. The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for procurement, receiving, and inventory control of pharmaceuticals; for processing purchase orders and invoices; for maintaining contract files and for compliance with contracts, and for responses to pharmaceutical recalls.

Responsibilities

• Purchase drugs and supplies in accordance with hospital GPO Bids and Cardinal Health best demonstrated practices.

• Assures that all orders received are properly checked-in and put away.

• Manages drug shortages and “outs” and communicates to appropriate staff.

• Monitors and maintains backorders until resolved.

• Responsible for issuing drugs or supplies to departments throughout the hospital and hospital clinics.

• Maintain contract compliance through constant monitoring of purchases, proper use of shelf labels, Min/Max, bar codes, stock cards, etc.

• Processes invoices and credits (Purchase Ledger) daily.  Monitors purchase ledger against monthly purchase budget.

• Monitors statements or direct vendor log for invoices not paid.

• Assure adequate control and documentation of controlled substances.

• Returns outdated and unusable medications to the reverse distributor, and ensures proper credit is received.

• Understands and maintains the standards set by the Drug Supply Chain and Security Act (DSCSA).

• Maintains proper records for purchases / sales to local pharmacies (borrow/loan).

• Documents all recalled drugs and action taken.

• Assists in preparing for and supervising physical inventory functions including verifying final reports.

• Maintains proper inventory control and storage (Min/Max, monitoring stock levels, maximizing turns).

• Rotates stock to ensure use before expiration date.

• Reports significant builds and burns of inventory monthly using the Inventory Build/Burn Spreadsheet.

• Assist in supervising pharmacy billing. Ensure that patient charges and credits are done promptly and accurately.

• Assists in getting new drugs added to the Pharmacy Operating System and maintains Charge Master.

• Maintain a readily retrievable filing system for all Invoices, billing, narcotic, and ancillary records.

• Ensures the Departmental / Clinic Charging is done accurately and monthly summary reports are completed by the deadline.

• Ensures that look-alike, sound-alike medications are segregated in the Pharmacy.

• Repackages bulk medications in unit-dose packages safely and accurately per established procedures using appropriate techniques.

• Demonstrates competence in automated dispensing equipment and adheres to established processes and procedures.

• Maintains security and confidentiality of passwords.

• Attends and participates in departmental meetings, in-services, and quality improvement programs.

• Maintains all required training and education per department requirements (e.g. mySpark, myLearning, Continuing Education).

• Adheres to hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, security, fire, and infection control. Complies with all applicable state, local and federal regulations.

• Understands the 340B-Wholesaler Savings report and the financial impact it has on the monthly Invoice.

• Works within the standard operating procedures/policies and procedures established for each area covered by 340B.

• Maintains knowledge and effectiveness in 340B split billing software.

• Maintains crosswalk between 340B split billing software and Pharmacy Operating System.

• Must maintain accurate records in compliance with 340B regulations.

• Maintains safety-integrity-professionalism at all times.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school degree or equivalent preferred.