Pharmacy Purchasing Agent

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:
Procures a variety of services, equipment, and supplies on behalf of pharmacy departments. Participates in procurement sourcing teams for research, bid and contract management of supplies and services. Serves as a resource for inventory management practices through the use of technology and automation.

Responsibilities:
1. Maintains an environment of safety for patients, self and others. Creates required documents/reports to analyze contract/product price proposal alternatives. Develops and maintains purchasing and utilization reports as mandated by regulatory agencies and to support pharmacy operations and financial management. Collaborates with clinical staff to successfully perform therapeutic interchanges and substitutions, as determined jointly between management teams in Pharmacy and P&T Committee.
2. Produces financial, operational or clinical justification for product line conversion. Maintains purchasing contract file database, and ensures specified level of contract purchases are met. Meets with established contracted vendors, wholesaler and GPO representatives to develop strategic supplier relationships and identify cost reduction initiatives. Interviews, evaluates and reviews other vendors who may provide the best value and trading partnership. Reviews contracts for performance to covenants in contracts. Works with Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and wholesaler as necessary. Coordinates product conversion activities with the UNCHCS and GPO. Manages supplier performance associated with service delivery to departments, and resolves issues related to supplier performance.
3. Understands business functions, clinical processes and operational environments, advocating for the most clinical and cost-effective pharmacy supply solutions. Oversees and documents the receipt, storage and transfer of inventory to appropriate areas of assigned hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory sites. Serves as primary inventory coordinator for assigned areas. Researches and advises pharmacists on proper storage requirements for all pharmaceutical products, as needed. Engages in projects to advance pharmacy supply management, as defined by management.
4. Assures compliance with FDA mandated Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Maintains compliance with DEA Controlled Substances Act and 340B Drug Pricing Program. Reviews and processes drug/supply recalls, direct orders with manufacturers, backorders, and division transfers. Recommends and secures approval for alternative suppliers and/or product substitutes.
5. Provides training and guidance for new employees. Conducts competency peer reviews and advises management of performance of staff. Assists in developing, documenting and administering policies and procedures regarding institutional procurement practices and other duties, as assigned. Serves as lead and operational resource for procurement functions for assigned departments. Educates and advises departmental customers on the use of electronic purchasing processes.

Other Information

• High School diploma or GED. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration or related field preferred.

• No licensure or certification required.

• Three (3) years of experience as a pharmacy purchasing agent, or five (5) years of experience as a pharmacy technician with progressively increasing responsibility. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office.

• Understands and applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH

Entity: Shared Services

Organization Unit: UNC HCS Pharmacy Supply Chain

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $23.24 - $33.41 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Hybrid

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Durham

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Health Care System, in a department that provides shared services to operations across UNC Health Care; except that, if you are currently a UNCHCS State employee already working in a designated shared services department, you may remain a UNCHCS State employee if selected for this job.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [email protected] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.