"Buyer Intermediate"

This position is responsible for the purchasing and inventory functions within a pharmacy. Other responsibilities include monitoring inventory levels to ensure accuracy, properly managing outdated products, investigating, and facilitating recalls, managing shortages, meeting with sales representatives, stocking shelves, processing invoices, and physically performing inventory reconciliation. Studies market trends, interviews vendors, and recommends sources of supply. Responsible for contributing to the evaluation of contracts and contract pricing, identifying potential for cost containment and cost savings, preparing area activity and financial metrics for data reporting. This Classification requires registration, certification or licensure with the appropriate agency as identified on the primary Source Verification Matrix. Under FLSA, incumbents in this position are exempt.

Essential

• Complete inventory management tasks necessary to ensure products are available and ready to be selected for fulfillment of orders throughout daily operations.
• Procure inventory at the best price using established procurement pathways in accordance with UMHHC and Department of Pharmacy policy, procedure, and practice.
• Analyzes quotations received, selects, or recommends suppliers, and schedules deliveries.
• Obtains certifications of delivery and conducts check against order.
• Checks and approves invoices for orders placed
• Contribute to patient safety by ensuring products are in date, of validated pedigree, and stocked in accordance with high alert, look-alike, sound-alike, and hazardous substance handling procedures and/or practices.
• Complete all product receiving functions and financial reconciliation for inventory procured in an accurate and timely manner.
• Process all inventory returns in accordance with federal, state, and health system rules and regulations.
• Communicate all product shortages; work effectively and collaboratively to resolve product shortages with safe and efficacious substitutions / alternatives.
• Responsible for contributing to the evaluation of contracts and contract pricing, identifying potential for cost containment and cost savings, preparing area activity and financial metrics for data reporting.
• Develops and maintains necessary records and files for efficient operation.

Other Related Duties:

• Complies with all University of Michigan Health System and departmental standards and expectations.
• Supports the department’s commitment to continuous improvement activities and principles through positive and respectful contributions in all problem-solving and changing processes at Home Care Services.
• Collaborate and communicate with coworkers effectively through direct interaction with pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, nurses and dietitians, other home care service technicians and Home Care Services (HCS) staff.
• Maximize work efficiency using computers and other technologies as evidenced by proficient skill in accessing and entering accurate information necessary to perform job functions. Maintain & contribute to accurate, updated, and comprehensive inventory software files.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient and proprietary information by observing legal and ethical guidelines for safeguarding the confidentiality of patient and proprietary information.
• Adhere to alternating shifts, day, weekend, and holiday rotation work assignments.
• Maintain competency in all job functions and remain competent to provide cross coverage for other warehouses / shipping functions routinely performed by pharmacy technicians.
• Participate in the preparation of periodic financial, regulatory, activity & quality assurance reports.
• Participates in department committees and work teams as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received From:

HomeMed Inventory & Distribution Manager. Functional supervision is received from the Associate Supervisor and HomeMed pharmacists.

Supervision Exercised:

None

Required Qualifications:

• Valid State of Michigan Pharmacy Technician License, or ability to obtain licensure within 6 months of employment
• 2 - 5 years of inventory/purchasing experience

Required Physical Qualifications:

The employee will be able to perform the assigned duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend the English language.
• Functional visual acuity and hearing for accurate assessment and recording of patient observations and other information in patient record documentation.
• Manual dexterity to perform required procedures and activities proficiently and safely.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds to perform the safe transfer of equipment and supplies

Desired Qualifications:

• A minimum of one year of experience in home care with a demonstrated knowledge of regulations, standards, and guidelines applicable to home care pharmacies.
• A minimum of two years of experience in the health care field and/or equivalent experience as a pharmacy technician
• A minimum of two years of experience in inventory management
• Computer / keyboard data entry skills and experience
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Forklift Operation certification