Pharmacy Buyer

Overview
At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Buyer position is responsible for completing a variety of activities related to the drug procurement process which includes but is not limited to reviewing medication purchase orders, assessing contract compliance, identifying alternative product selections, and facilitating procurement of pharmaceuticals and related supplies. This position coordinates automated ordering systems and supports the efforts to consolidate and promote economies of scale. Additional duties for the Pharmacy Buyer position include conducting research and analysis of providers, identifying alternative sources, resolving supply issues with vendors, and ensuring all purchasing activities are performed in accordance with purchasing policies and procedures.
Houston Methodist Standard
PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.
HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results.

• Collaborates with staff members and vendors to resolve backorder issues and/or secure acceptable product substitution as needed to achieve identified patient specific goals. Negotiates with HM departments to utilize existing items as applicable.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in negotiations for pricing, terms, service, additions to current contracts, and delivery of pharmaceuticals. Monitors wholesaler performance and reports discrepancies to recover lost monies.

• Receives, processes, and arranges timely payment for invoices for all products acquired through pharmacy.

• Attends committee meetings as appropriate to disseminate pertinent supply chain issues (i.e. P&T, MUFE, etc.).

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Evaluates the use of off-contract and/or non-formulary purchases and ensures adequate justification exists for such purchases. Reviews all drug orders to assure vendor selection complies with optimal contractual advantages.

• Reviews RASMAS recalls on a daily basis and takes appropriate actions accordingly.

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of vendor contracts. Resolves and notifies management of contract, purchasing, and/or supply issues and opportunities.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews all drug orders and takes actions necessary to assure vendor selection complies with optimal contractual advantages.

• Manages price changes and average wholesale price (AWP) updates. Ensures orders match price quotations and price changes are in accord with contract terms.

• Borrows and loans medications when stockouts occur. Prepares, records and reconciles monthly required information of borrows and loans with hospitals involved and routinely clears outstanding balances.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Recommends solutions in achieving departmental objectives. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with wholesaler to manage automated ordering and inventory control systems. Looks for opportunities to create economies of scale and areas to streamline supply chain processes. Assists with special projects to reduce costs and consolidate processes.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Pharmacy Buyer.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
Qualifications
EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Two years of college preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of relevant pharmacy and/or purchasing experience

• Experience in healthcare and working with vendor contracts highly preferred

License/Certification
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• LPHT - Licensed Pharmacy Tech - State Registration

KSA/ Supplemental Data
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Advanced level of knowledge of the procurement process experience in a hospital or related field

• Possesses proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, but not limited to, word processing software applications

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile
Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, will be Houston Methodist's ninth hospital and will incorporate the most advanced technology available from the day the doors open. With 100 beds (at our opening; licensed for 276) and a prime location in the heart of the rapidly growing U.S. 290 corridor, the hospital will be equipped with technologically advanced innovations implemented during COVID, many of them designed to make patient communication with physicians, staff and families the very best and most effective in any health care facility. Even though the hospital won't be fully operational until 2025, we have several services and specialties opening in 2024.