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.