Pharmacy Buyer

Overview

WE ARE INSIGHT:
We At Insight Hospital and Medical Center
- Chicago, we believe there is a better way to provide quality healthcare while achieving health equity. Our Chicago location aims to build a full-service community hospital in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, creating a comprehensive plan to increase services and meet community needs. Our growing team is dedicated to delivering world-class service, with a mission to provide compassionate, expert, and impactful care.

If you would like to be part of our future team, please apply now!

General

Summary:

The Pharmaceutical Buyer is the individual who, under the supervision of the Director of Pharmacy Services, or Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services, maintains an inventory of drugs and supplies in accordance with current purchasing group programs. Prepares and places drug and supply orders with manufacturers and wholesalers. Receives the drug and supply orders and ensures items and counts are correct as stated on the invoice, then stores each product in the proper location and under the proper storage conditions.

Prepares necessary documentation to initiate processing of invoices. Assists clerks and technicians in the unit dose packaging process and filling of specialty care area stock orders and billing process for non-formulary or special medications not in charge system. The Pharmaceutical Buyer must function in strict accordance with standard written procedures and guidelines with deviation approved by the supervising pharmacist. Organizational relationships include direct responsibility to the Director of Pharmacy Services, or Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services.

• Works closely with all departments in the hospital to ensure all medications are available for use
• Works in tandem with the OR department on medications that need to be adequately stocked before each case
• Communicates daily with the Inpatient Pharmacy Staff on drug shortages, drugs on arrival, drugs that are on allocations, issues with ordering a particular drug, and inventory organization in the Inpatient Pharmacy
• Reports to the Director of Pharmacy (DOP) on inventory matters
• Participates in weekly meetings with the DOP on inventory in the Inpatient Pharmacy
• Communicates with OR and SDS on any medication requests or changes in ordering
• Works with vendors and manufacturers on solutions for inventory shortages
• Maintains a live document of drug shortages within the Inpatient Pharmacy and reports to the Pharmacists in Charge (PIC)
• Fills and delivers requested drugs, fluids, and supplies to the dispensing pharmacy from the storeroom
• Reviews inventory levels against established par levels
• Places orders for drugs, fluids, and supplies with manufacturers and/or wholesalers
• Receives, unpacks, checks quantities against invoice, price stickers, and stores drugs, fluids, and supplies under proper conditions
• Checks invoice prices against BID prices to assure invoice accuracy and correct cost of inventory
• Initiates documentation to process invoices for payment
• Maintains the Premier contract book in current status
• Runs/maintains reports on general pharmacy department usage and on usage and restocks of automated dispensing units
• Separates for return to manufacturer and/or wholesalers outdated and/or damaged goods; packages authorized returns for sending to the appropriate returns company and reconciles to ensure proper crediting procedures
• Manages conduct, performance and attitude including time, space and paper ethics; attendance and punctuality; and customer focus
• Participates in implementing goals, objectives, and policy/procedures of the department and facility
• Reviews and adjusts PAR levels with the Director of Pharmacy services or designee
• Participates in relevant Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives
• Assists in the process of filling requisitions and floor stock orders
• Assists in the unit dose packaging process
• Performs housekeeping duties necessary to keep storeroom and pharmacy department stock areas clean and orderly
• Operates and uses appropriate techniques within systems for storage of medicinal agents and follows the health system's policies regarding cart fill, unit dose distribution, labeling and controlled substances reconciliation, and purchasing of pharmaceuticals and supplies
• Performs other duties as assigned or scheduled

• Frequently contacts health care professionals, nurses, pharmacists, staff, patients and visitors under a wide variety of circumstances

• Prolonged, stationary work or movement throughout the facility
• Lifts, pushes or transports medication carts or IV fluid carts
• Frequent lifting of boxes up to 25 pounds
• Frequent stretching for boxes and materials and supplies; may read for long periods
• Uses telephones or other communication devices to interact with other healthcare personnel
• Uses computers, modem, Telxon, calculators, and adding machines
• Requires an alert mind in an environment with high demands for accuracy and promptness
• Must be able to…