Pharmacy Inventory Specialist - Inpatient Pharmacy

Under the direction of the Inpatient Pharmacy Supply Chain Manager and according to department policies and procedures, the individual is responsible for supporting all aspects pertaining to the procurement of pharmaceuticals, maintenance of pharmacy medication and associated supplies, and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all purchasing invoice records appropriately by reviewing for accuracy and ensure proper storage/filing.
• Manage the Track & Trace database to maintain compliance with procedural requirements.
• Facilitate the management of medication inventories by ensuring drug product is within date, rotating inventory as necessary, storing within USP guidelines, and timely and accurate stocking of daily wholesaler deliveries.
• Maintain all medication shelves and storage areas in a clean, organized, and orderly fashion.
• Process all drug returns promptly and appropriately within the necessary management system; adjust inventory levels as needed when returns are processed.
• Ensure packaged returns meet manufacturer and wholesaler shipping requirements; review invoices to reconcile credits processed.
• Ensure assigned tasks are accurate and reviewed by supervising personnel as required before completing critical tasks (e.g., order submission, importing/exporting of data).
• Run and review key reports from the pharmacy system to help identify problems within the suggested daily order based on pharmacy par levels and drug budget before transmissions of daily orders.
• Identify proper Purchase Order (PO) numbers for each facility when placing drug orders.
• Responsible for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) files (importing and exporting of drug inventory files) and verify successful transmission.
• Identify defaults in EDI transmissions and alert management to discuss a plan of correction.
• Make sound decisions and conduct follow-up calls for problematic medication deliveries to the facility from the wholesaler.
• Track dropship medications within and out of the hospital and maintain supportive documentation (e.g., invoices and packing slips).
• Report to the supervisor immediately any incorrect shipments and other safety issues.
• Perform cycle counts, inventories including counting, investigating, and rectifying discrepancies.
• Maintain filing system for daily transaction documents.
• Process appropriate paperwork for transferring medication and supplies.
• Perform all department-required quality assurance responsibilities.
• Adhere to department and hospital standards, including:
  • Exhibit model AIDET behaviors.
  • Conform to the hospital standard of contact to provide the best possible customer service and patient care.
  • Conduct interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees in a courteous and customer-focused manner.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information.
  • Anticipate and respond to the service needs of the pharmacist relative to supporting pharmacy services.
  • Utilize the hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.
  • Follow established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Responsible for drug distribution, inspection, and quality assurance activities in the ambulatory clinics within expected timelines.
• Maintain competency with the Department of Public Health Vaccine Children program and adhere to all related policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.
• Perform other related tasks as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent degree and strong mathematical skills.
• Some college, associate, or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy by hire date.
• National pharmacy technician certification from either Pharmacy Tech Certification Board (PTCB) or Exam of Certified Pharmacy Techs (exCPT).
• At least 3 - 4 years of related experience (shipping, receiving, material handling, or maintaining inventory or pharmacy experience preferred).

Skills

• Ability to speak, read, interpret, and follow complicated verbal and written instructions with precision, accuracy, and dependability.
• Ability to work independently to accomplish assigned daily tasks consistently and on-time.
• Familiarity with 340B and Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) ordering and dispensing.
• 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.
• Proficiency in 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 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.

Pay

Compensation range: $20.43 - $28.61 per hour.

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. Base pay is determined by a broad range of factors including education, experience, skills, certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements, as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits.
• Discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 403(b) savings matches.
• Paid time off.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Resources to support employee and family well-being.

Schedule

40 hours per week.