Pharmacy Purchasing Agent jobs in the United States

You’ll want to join Billings Clinic for our outstanding quality of care, exciting environment, interesting cases from a vast geography, advanced technology and educational opportunities. We are in the top 1% of hospitals internationally for receiving Magnet® Recognition consecutively since 2006.

And you’ll want to stay at Billings Clinic for the amazing teamwork, caring atmosphere, and a culture that values kindness, safety and courage. This is an incredible place to learn and grow. Billings, Montana, is a friendly, college community in the Rocky Mountains with great schools and abundant family activities. Amazing outdoor recreation is just minutes from home. Four seasons of sunshine!

You can make a difference here.

About Us
Billings Clinic is a community-owned, not-for-profit, Physician-led health system based in Billings with more than 4,700 employees, including over 550 physicians and non-physician providers. Our integrated organization consists of a multi-specialty group practice and a 304-bed hospital. Learn more about Billings Clinic (our organization, history, mission, leadership and regional locations) and how we are recognized nationally for our exceptional quality.

Your Benefits
We provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to all full-time employees (minimum of 24 hours/week), including Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer matching, Defined Contribution Pension Plan, Paid Time Off, employee wellness program, and much more.

Magnet: Commitment to Nursing Excellence
Billings Clinic is proud to be recognized for nursing excellence as a Magnet®-designated organization, joining only 97 other organizations worldwide that have achieved this honor four times. The re-designation process happens every four years.

Pre-Employment Requirements
All new employees must complete several pre-employment requirements prior to starting.

Pharmacy Purchasing Agent (1.0)
PHARMACY (BILLINGS CLINIC HOSPITAL)
req4697

Shift: Varies
Employment Status: Full-Time (.75 or greater)
Hours per Pay Period: 1.00 = 80 hours (Non-Exempt)
Starting Wage DOE: $21.12 - 24.82

Pharmacy purchasing agents at Billings Clinic are responsible for ordering, receiving and distribution of all pharmaceuticals and other supplies to meet organizational needs. Other duties include various forms of data entry, completing projects as assigned, processing returns and recalls, inventory control, policy and procedure maintenance, and training co-workers when necessary. This position requires the use of many different software programs, so the incumbent should be conformable using technology. We are a team oriented department that will rely on each other to accomplish our goals. Your specific duties will be assigned from the job functions listed below.

Essential Job Functions

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with the mission and philosophy of Billings Clinic and department/service.
• Manage 340b procurement program

• Tracks usage and purchasing, utilizes virtual inventory software, and uploads data in regards to 340b medication procurement program.
• Coordination, preparation, and posting of monthly 340b transactions.
• Responsible to answer any questions during annual audits for work performed during the year. Assist in solving problems that arise during any annual audit of the 340b program.
• (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, 340bProcurement Program)

• Prepares daily clinic department and hospital medication orders and chooses the most financially beneficial products based on GPO and 340b pricing. (Resource management, Drug Inventory, Prepares Orders)
• Responsible for managing shortages

• Responsible for tracking, ordering and stocking products (or similar alternatives to items not purchasable via normal routes or wholesalers).
• Contact and communicate with alternate vendors to procure items on backorder or shortage
• Ensure that all vendors are compliant with regulations relating to procurement of pharmaceuticals (i.e. licensed in the state, good-manufacturing practice, USP 797 compliance, etc)
• Work with Pharmacy managers to determine suitable alternatives to products on backorder or shortage.
• (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Managing Shortages)

• Receives, unpacks and verifies pharmacy supplies and medications received against invoice to ensure medication needs are met and charges are accurate. Distributes the medications to their appropriately labeled location in the pharmacy. Labels, organizes and maintains the drug inventory in a clean and orderly fashion. (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Medication Receipt & Distribution)
• Distributes medication orders for internal Billings Clinic customers (e.g. outpatient clinics) (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Internal Distribution)
• Maintains credit area and prepares outdated drug returns for shipment back to return goods vendor. Maintains the purchasing/shipping area in a neat and orderly condition. (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Drug Returns)
• Resolves discrepancies with vendors. Assures contract compliance within purchasing of drugs. Assures adequate supplies of pharmaceuticals or a realistic alternative is available when confronted with manufacturer backorders/outs. Communicates these situations when appropriate. (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Supply Management)

• Provides for the packaging, shipping/transportation, and assures the billing of items ordered by outside facilities or vendors. • (Resource Management, Drug Inventory, Shipping)

• Ensures that changes in purchasing procedures are communicated to the Pharmacy Business Analyst for Policy and Procedure update. (Resource management, Drug Inventory, Purchasing Procedures )
• Assists with the orientation and training of the alternate purchasing agent.

• (Education, Staff, Orientation & Training)

• Utilizes performance improvement principles to assess and improve quality.
• Identifies needs and sets goals for own growth and development; meets all mandatory system/departmental requirements.
• Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency safety standards relevant to job performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization. Provides assistance to and serves as the backup to the pharmacy purchasing team, when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Inventory control methods
• Pharmaceuticals and hospital purchasing agreements
• Time management, organization and prioritization
• Ethical business practices
• Mathematics to perform calculations
• Personal computers, hardware and software
• Microsoft Windows, MS Office Programs (Word and Excel) preferred
• Billings Clinic policies and procedures, both organizational and departmental
• Regulatory standards and guidelines
• Computer operations
• Professional communication skills, both verbal and written
• Database and spreadsheet management
• Incorporate cultural diversity and age appropriate care into all aspects of communication and patient care; scope of services provided will primarily encompass age groups ranging from adult through geriatric
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships
• Work with frequent interruptions and competing priorities
• Communicate with pharmacy staff to understand current pharmacy distribution issues
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbal and written
• Exhibit good judgment and unquestionable ethics in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Exercises a high degree of initiative, judgment and discretion
• Capable of balancing multiple, complex projects and deadlines. Completes assignment in an appropriate time frame.
• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Works effectively within a team environment
• Concentrate and pay close attention to details
• Maintain flexibility to adapt to a variety of work load assignments
• Interpret policies and procedures; identify non-compliance and take appropriate corrective action as it relates to medication reimbursement and coding
• Exercise judgment and make decisions in emergency situations
• As narcotics and other controlled substances are handled, a high degree of honesty, responsibility and integrity is required.
• Revenue and expense factors can be dramatically affected by how well the duties of this position are fulfilled.

• Prior knowledge and/or experience working with purchasing or inventory management, preferred

Billings Clinic is Montana’s largest health system serving Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas. A not-for-profit organization led by a physician CEO, the health system is governed by a board of community members, nurses and physicians. Billings Clinic includes an integrated multi-specialty group practice, tertiary care hospital and trauma center, based in Billings, Montana. Learn more at www.billingsclinic.com/aboutus

Billings Clinic is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. All policies and processes are designed toward achieving fair and equitable treatment of all employees and job applicants. Employees are encouraged to discuss any concerns they have in this regard with their immediate supervisor and/or the Vice President People Resources. All employees and job applicants will be provided the same treatment in all aspects of the employment relationship, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, genetic information or disability.