Pharmacy Buyer

Job Summary:

A Pharmacy Buyer manages the procurement and inventory of pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment for a pharmacy or healthcare facility. Key responsibilities include negotiating with vendors, managing inventory levels, processing orders and invoices, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with pharmacists and other staff. This role is crucial for maintaining adequate stock while controlling costs and ensuring patient safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Places all drug orders with wholesaler and other vendors
• Prepares all necessary returns to wholesalers and or vendors
• Electronically and manually updates Pharmacy inventory receipts on a weekly basis and verifies the correctness of these updates.
• Assigns purchase order number and processes all orders for Schedule II controlled substances / CSOS when required.
• Maintains CSOS and assists staff with maintaining appropriate CSOS renewals when necessary. Assuring appropriate access to prevent diversion
• Posts all ambulance/EMS charges to appropriate records and enters charges for medications issued to ambulances in an accurate and timely manner
• Fill floor stock requisitions accurately and timely
• Maintains all records associated with the purchase of pharmaceuticals accurately and neatly. Maintaining Federal and State law.
• Manages and oversees Track and Trace federal guidelines to guarantee appropriate drug pedigree. Including training of software to staff and utilization overview.
• Enters and maintains floor stock templates w/in Logistics in an accurate and timely manner.
• Submits monthly procurement records to all appropriate offices in an accurate and timely manner
• Monitors daily orders to ensure that the most cost-effective medications are purchased. Reviewing contracts, appropriate NDCs, Current shortages,
• Release information for drugs on shortage, etc..
• Monitors daily orders to prevent order duplication and overstocking.

• Periodically reviews stock on hand to ensure that the correct item is on the shelf and that quantities are appropriate. Adjusting PARs w/in software when appropriate. Examples- C2safe, Logistics, Pyxis, etc..
• Reviews invoices for items ordered by other pharmacy personnel to ensure that correct item(s) was/were ordered and received.
• Keeps Pharmacy Director informed of all problems related to the purchase of pharmaceuticals (i.e. shortages, problems with vendors, product unavailability, etc).
• Relays pertinent information to appropriate personnel outside of the department as it pertains to pharmacy purchasing. Assisting other departments when able. Example- fluids for materials, talc for Central Sterile.
• Manages prepacking software and hardware for appropriate repackaging of stock bottles into unit dose packs. Assuring all required material is present for safe administration. Providing education to new and current staff.
• Vaccine procurement and inventory management at clinics. VFC and non-VFC vaccines including annual Flu purchase. Also managing outdates and returns with specific manufacturers.
• Maintains CSOS and assists staff with maintaining appropriate CSOS renewals when necessary. Assuring appropriate access to prevent diversion
• Relays pertinent drug inventory information to appropriate personnel Including back orders, shortages, and vendor maintenance.
• Constantly reviewing contracts, pricing, and rebates. Evaluating best pricing and purchasing to maximize savings.
• Oversees Outdates and credits as well as implementing mitigation by moving stock. Carrying out recommendations delivered from Care Fusion inventory management software.
• Maintains all records and software associated with recalls. Quarantines all drug still in stock as directed by the manufacturer / wholesaler.
• Prepares, organizes, and executes biannual inventory
• Assists with the management and compliance of all aspects of the 340(b)-drug pricing program for Oneida Health.
• Maintains 340(b) competency through continuing education courses pertaining to 340b compliance and Pharmacy based education on an ongoing basis.
• Conducts ongoing 340b program training for staff.
• Reviews invoices routinely to rectify GPO purchased medications versus 340B/WAC purchased.
• Ensures accurate 340b banked eligible inventory for medications listed on the Sentry website.
• Performs 340b compliance audits and both internal and external compliance assessments to validate processes.
• Determines eligibility of drugs to be purchased under the program and manages mixed use inventory.
• Develops compliance and purchase record reports as per Oneida Health’s 340(b) policies and procedures.
• Works with Finance and Leadership to ensure Oneida Health’s compliance with the HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) regulations related to the 340(b) drug pricing program.
• Utilize Oneida Health’s 340(b) software program (Sentry) to perform the following which is not inclusive: audits, inventory management, drug mapping, clinic additions / removals, file transfers, & training modules.
• Monitors “Borrowing and Lending” records to be sure that appropriate replenishment orders are place (i.e. GPO, 340b or WAC) and that drugs are replenished to appropriate areas.
• When staffing permits, delegates and oversees inventory management / ordering responsibilities to Pharmacist, Technician and purchasing staff members.
• Steps in and staffs as a Pharmacy Technician if temporary staffing is needed to support patient care.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)

Certifications:

• NYS pharmacy technician license and National Pharmacy Technician Certification will be required.
• Must become nationally certified within 1 year of employment if not already certified.

Experience:

• One year pharmacy experience (required)
• Pharmacy Buyer / Purchasing experience (preferred)