Pharmacy Procurement Specialist - Hybrid

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Pharmacy Procurement Specialist is responsible for pharmacy procurement, effective distribution and replenishment of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and pharmacy supplies. Manages and maintains purchasing needs of the pharmacy department in a manner that supports the provision of cost-effective patient-focused pharmacy services. Responsible for drug access, and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders in the daily activities around the placement of orders, inventory restocking & fulfillment processes. Oversees and assures the quality, safety, procurement and proper handling of pharmacy materials. In collaboration with and support from the pharmacy supply chain leadership team, develops strategy and goals for the department to improve efficiency and cost effective opportunities to maintain expenses favorable to budget. Performs various administrative projects as assigned.

Position: Pharmacy Procurement Specialist

Department: Inventory Specialist

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Manages drug data record-keeping and assists with necessary reporting including but not limited to purchasing performance dashboards, order exceptions, backorder supply tracking and reporting, drug access processes, documentation, and pending wholesaler credits.
• Identifies savings opportunities (e.g. product selection, 340B/WAC and/or GPO splits optimization, direct purchasing etc.).
• Orders all pharmacy supply needs via ERP accounts management system.
• Performs their duties independently with minimal supervision.
• May work remotely but at times be require travel between all buildings on the medical campus to support the supply chain needs of the department.
• Coordinates all purchasing communications with internal and external stakeholders, maintains records appropriately by reviewing task progressions, order accuracy and ensure proper order placement and handling.
• Facilitates the management of item selection with preferred NDCs, NDCs swaps, and pursuing savings opportunities through contract price conversions.
• Coordinates with inventory specialists with item conversion efforts and document changes.
• Provides mentorship to inventory specialists in drug record keeping, drug database maintenance through education and demonstration of best practices.
• Assists with training pharmacy staff on order creation, validation, confirmation and submission for out-of-stock handling.
• Maintains compliance with all approved pharmacy purchasing processes and procedures as they relate to pharmaceutical and medical device procurement management.
• Coordinates the procurement, storage, and maintenance of medication and non-drug supplies (labels, vials, syringes, etc.) necessary for the operations of the department.
• Ensures assigned tasks are accurate and reviewed by supervising personnel as required prior to completion (e.g. order submission, importing/exporting of data)
• Ability to run and analyze key reports from pharmacy system to help identify problems within the suggested daily order based on pharmacy par levels and drug budget before transmissions of daily orders.
• Identifies proper Purchase Order (PO) numbers for each location when placing drug orders.
• Responsible for Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) transmissions and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) files (importing and exporting of drug inventory files) and then verify successful transmission.
• Responsible for identifying defaults in EDI transmissions and alerting management to discuss plan of correction.
• Ability to make sound decisions and conduct follow up calls for problematic medication deliveries to the facility, from the wholesaler (e.g. drug shortages, drug backorders, drug allocations, REMS, and drug access restrictions)
• Reports any incorrect drug records from internal and/or external sources and other safety issues.
• Remains informed by reading all department communications.
• Maintain open lines of communication between all pharmacy staff to ensure adequate patient care in all hospital settings.
• Performs all department required pharmaceutical and medical devices quality assurance responsibilities. Adheres to department and hospital standards, including the following; (a) Exhibits model AIDET behaviors, (b) Conforms to the hospital standard of contact so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided:
• Conducts interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians and fellow employees in a courteous and customer-focused manner.
• Maintains maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information.
• Anticipates and is responsive to the service needs of the pharmacist relative to supporting pharmacy services.
• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals.
• Follows established Hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other related tasks as needed or directed.

Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Required: High school diploma or equivalent degree and strong mathematical skills.

Preferred : Some college, and associates or Bachelor's degree

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Required - Registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy.

Required - National pharmacy technician certification from either Pharmacy Tech Certification Board (PTCB) Adv. prior to role entry or obtain the PTCB Adv. certification within 6 months of hire.

Preferred - Apexus 340B ACE certification highly recommended

EXPERIENCE:

Requires at least 5 years of related experience (shipping, receiving, material handling, or maintaining inventory or pharmacy experience preferred)

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to speak the English language, read, interpret and follow complicated verbal and written instruction with precision, accuracy and dependability
• Ability to work independently to accomplish assigned daily tasks to expectation, consistently, and on-time.
• Familiarity with 340B and Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) ordering and dispensing.
• Experience with relevant pharmacy systems (e.g. QS1 - NRX, Pyxis, Omnicell, or other similar pharmacy system).
• Effective and strong interpersonal skills to interact appropriately with nursing staff, patients, families/visitors, physicians, and other hospital staff.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize essential tasks and meet deadlines.
• Microsoft Office; Excel, Word; and ability to adapt to specialized inventory/stock control software to track and record inventory levels.
• Ability to readily adapt to changes in schedule specifications, and work priorities as the business and customer needs demand.
• Physical ability to lift heavy loads as required for filling medication supply orders.
• Must maintain the required level of competency to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Required - Registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy.

Required - National pharmacy technician certification from either Pharmacy Tech Certification Board (PTCB) Adv. prior to role entry or obtain the PTCB Adv. certification within 6 months of hire.

Preferred - Apexus 340B ACE certification highly recommended

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans