A California registered technician who is responsible for the purchasing of medications and pharmaceutical supplies, updating of price change information to maintain accurate computer database costs, reconciliation of invoices, and maintenance of accurate inventory records for the Pharmacy Department utilizing computer systems. The Buyer evaluates and manages drug supplies during drug shortages. In addition, the Buyer has direct oversight for all pharmacy billing functions. Provides these services under the general supervision of a pharmacist. Complies with applicable laws and regulations. Assists in the safe, effective, and fiscally responsible procurement, distribution, and control of all medications in the medication use process.

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  This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of AHMC- Anaheim Regional Medical Center. It is expected that the employee demonstrate behavior consistent with the core values of AHMC- ARMC. The employee shall support AHMC- Anaheim Regional Medical Center’s strategic plan and goals and direction of the performance improvement plan. The employee will also be expected to support all organizational expectations including, but not limited to; Customer Service, Patient’s Rights, Confidentiality of Information, Environment of Care and AHMC initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Consistently applies infection control policies/practices.
• Understands and practices standard precautions for self and others in patient care activities.
• Understands and practices appropriate disease-specific isolation.
• Appropriately handles and disposes of sharps (i.e., needles, etc.) as required.
• Ensures sterility of supplies and equipment.

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  Meets population/age specific competencies per unit specific addendum.

• Attends department specific education/training, inservices, and staff meetings.
• Attends mandatory inservices/educational/training activities.
• Submits all required paperwork on time.
• Verifies, by signature/initials, attendance at staff meetings or reading of staff meeting minutes.

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  Department specific performance improvement project.
• Actively assists in unit performance improvement monitoring.
• Knows and understands PDSA model for unit’s Performance Improvement Program.
• Demonstrates understanding of performance improvement principles in job performance.

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  Provides pharmaceutical care in accordance with law and regulation
• Complies with medication use policies and procedures as applicable.
• Participates in successful completion of annual Board of Pharmacy survey and The Joint Commission/CMS/CDPH accreditation.

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  Maintains adequate inventory to ensure optimization of the medication use process.
• Plans, directs, controls, coordinates, and provides receipt of pharmaceuticals and related supplies from vendors.
• Processes in a timely manner all transactions that affect receipt, adjustment credit, destruction of stock, returns, physical inventory procedures, control of excess/obsolete stock, receipt discrepancies, back-orders, vendor follow-up and re-ordering of stock.
• Ensures continuous supply availability of pharmaceuticals through wholesaler, manufacturer, and borrowing process.
• Develops and implements processes to expedite receipt of regular and rush/STAT orders to ensure timely arrival.
• Maximizes storage space, labels shelves accurately, and communicates changes in warehousing process to staff.

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  Participates in cost containment strategies for the department.
• Maintains responsibility and accountability for use of non-formulary drugs through notification of non-formulary items on appropriate drug stocking bins.
• Actively participates in action plans to maintain pharmaceutical inventory at appropriate levels as determined by management.
• Demonstrates the ability to update price and location information in pharmacy computer system, interface with purchasing and other departments on pricing, contract expiration dates, cash terms, and freight charges.
• Responsible for reviewing invoices to insure accurate billing, forwarding all documentation to accounts payable in a timely manner, and investigating and resolving invoice discrepancies.
• Responsible for initiating the charge master addition process for new products.
• Demonstrates the ability to research alternative products for better pricing or improvements in packaging, perform cost/value analysis, and document cost savings.
• Daily review of non-formulary orders for the addition of pricing and Pharmacy GL code.
• Ensures timely and accurate billing of patient accounts, and complies with the end of month and charge capture deadlines as mandated by management.

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  Educates and trains students and new staff.
• Precepts pharmacy students, pharmacy technician students, and interns within the department.
• Actively participates in training new staff and provides feedback to management.

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  Demonstrates leadership skills that positively contribute to the medical center.
• Collaborates with appropriate individuals to promote department and organizational efficiency, quality of care and prompt problem resolution.
• .Demonstrates flexibility in performing duties and in adjusting the schedule to workload fluctuations
• Serves as the primary contact person within the pharmacy for vendor contact. Gathers information on vendor performance.
• Initiates process for updating back-order/drug shortage notification list for physicians and staff at the request of management.
• ADM Administrator – timely addition and deletion of hospital staff and formulary additions/updates for NDC number changes

• Has completed a course of training for pharmacy technicians as specified by the California Board of Pharmacy
• Minimum of two (2) years of buyer experience in a hospital
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally with patients and health care workers
• Proficient understanding of common computer programs used in pharmacy practice
• Knowledge of medical and pharmacy terminology, weights and measures, and pharmacy math