Pharmacy Inventory Logistics Technician

Employment Type:

Shift:

Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY AND PURPOSE:

Procures, stores, and distributes pharmaceuticals, diagnostic agents, intravenous solutions and related equipment and supplies for all Saint Joseph Mercy Health System sites. Facilitates the distribution of pharmacy products across all operational units within the SJMHS.   Monitors and maintains the pharmacy inventory using accepted industry inventory management techniques, information management systems, and technological enhancements.  Responsible for the repackaging of products not commercially available in unit doses or needing a readable bar code.  Processes and maintains related documentation as required by licensing, accrediting, and regulatory agencies. This position maintains the hospital formulary in hospital computer systems and bills medications requested by other departments, as necessary.  The ILT coordinates the medications and equipment in ALS boxes and represents the hospital at ALS regional meetings.  

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: High school graduate or GED equivalent

Minimum of one year education in related field, such as general business, computers, or inventory/operations management 

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of progressively more responsible work experience as a hospital Pharmacy Technician or related experience including knowledge of the drug distribution process, experienced in drug formulary inventory control and billing processes.

Licensure: Current State of Michigan Pharmacy Technician license

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Ability to perform basic to advanced mathematical calculations.

2. Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with all levels of Health System staff, manufacturers, and suppliers.  Ability to present and perform in a professional manner, which commands respect, demonstrates a high level of competency, and encourages collegiality.

3. General knowledge of computers, software applications, and hardware configurations such as procurement and inventory systems, electronic spreadsheets, data base management software, word processing software, diverse system integration software, and bar code systems and equipment.  

• Ability to stand for long periods of time and/or walk long distances without difficulty.  Ability to handle hazardous, flammable, corrosive, anti-neoplastic items, drugs and IV boxes weighing up to 40 pounds, and occasionally moving IV carts weighing up to 1,100 pounds.

• Ability to function with a high degree of accuracy to complete tasks.

• Analytical and cognitive skills to evaluate systems logistics and design effective work processes.

• Organizational skills to manage multiple activities competing for limited time and resources without sacrificing quality, timeliness, and/or completeness. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Places purchase orders, receivespharmacy supplies, confirms product integrity, accuracy and expiration dating according to department standards.  Collaborates with suppliers to resolve discrepancies or other problems.  Restocks in appropriate storage locations. Responsible for the receipt and restock of medication and supplies. Is responsible for managing various ordering platforms for procuring pharmaceuticals.

• Participates in the establishment of appropriate inventory levels for pharmacy products at all points of service and intermediate storage locations using inventory management techniques.  Anticipates and understands the impact of seasonal and/or atypical situations, makes special arrangements to maintain sufficient inventory, and communicates the status to operational staff on a timely basis.  Ensures all products are within their expiration date and properly stored in accordance with licensing, regulatory and accrediting requirements. 

• Conducts audits on utilization, purchasing and billing activity, investigates discrepancies, prepares reconciliation reports, and implements changes to continuously improve the accuracy, integrity and control of the purchasing functions.

• Collaborates with suppliers, customers and colleagues on an ongoing basis to assess product requirements, storage capabilities, special handling procedures, distribution options, utilization trends, safety and environmental issues, security and financial integrity.   Sets priorities, designs procurement and distribution work flow processes, measures outcomes, and makes adjustments as necessary to meet our financial and quality objectives.  Assumes responsibility for accurate completion of forms and procedures required to meet state and federal controlled substance regulations. 

• Maintains a separate inventory for controlled substances, hazardous chemicals, investigational drugs, expired medications and outpatient oncology.  Performs all related documentation and record keeping functions and submits reports as required.

•  Ensures the accurate and timely delivery to end user departments of orders for medications, IV solutions and set, and pharmacy related supplies.  Develops and implements plans to enhance customer satisfaction of this function. Facilitates the distribution of pharmacy products across all offsite locations within SJMHS (see Policy number #150 ‘Pharmacy Vehicle and Safety Policy”).

•  Maintains appropriate stock of medications that have been repackaged and/or bar coded to be useable to the end user. Works in collaboration with the Automation Technician to maintain the software and hardware of pharmacy automation (ex. MedCarousel and Pentapack).  Supports the system’s bar-coding initiatives.

• Participates in the training and orientation of new employees.

• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management. Identifies and assists in resolution of problems related to safety, sanitation and maintenance of the environment.

• Able to perform specific Technician/Team Leader task depending on departmental need and/or current scope of responsibility.  (Ex. Oncology, Inpatient and outpatient) Completes unit inspections for assigned areas in a timely manner. Prepares medications under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist.

• Communicates product related issues to pharmacy staff in a timely and efficient manner.

• Assist other members of the pharmacy purchasing team as necessary.

• Demonstrates self-directed learning.

• Provides quality patient care by considering the age specific, development and cultural needs through competent clinical practice.  Demonstrates unit/area competencies.

• Maybe required to participate in department on-call on a rotational basis as necessary.

• Assesses the potential for medication error by checking drugs for look-alike packaging, sound-alike names, strength or volume changes, bar code scanning issues, and selects alternatives to avert errors.  Strives to obtain drug products containing the amount closest to the dose administered. 

• Ensures expired and recalled drugs are removed from inventory and coordinates their return to the manufacturer, are destroyed or donated.

• Adds/deletes/updates drugs in PDS, Pyxis, AS400, and the Charge Master; handles requests for drug costs.

• Completes month-end financial reports related to the inpatient inventory.

• Coordinates the physical inventory of the inpatient pharmacy.

• Coordinates and ensures the accuracy of the electronic billing process for medications dispensed through the inpatient pharmacy.

• Fills, labels, and updates ALS boxes; represents the hospital at the regional ALS committee.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.