What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pharmacy Buyer position at University of California - Los Angeles Health?
Play a key role in the delivery of world-class patient care. Continuously elevate quality of care within an award-winning health system. Leverage your expertise to make a life changing difference. At UCLA Health pharmacy, you can do all this and more.
As a Buyer Technician, you will assist the Lead Buyer and Pharmacy Management team in providing daily procurement support for inpatient, outpatient, and clinic services. You will play a key role in ensuring that drugs, supplies, and equipment are efficiently purchased, rented, or returned as needed.
Responsibilities include:
- Assist the Lead Buyer in the daily procurement of drugs, supplies, and equipment through various accounts and software systems (e.g., drug wholesalers, EMPAC system).
- Support the maintenance of 340b purchasing and accumulations, secure controlled substances, and assist with the annual physical Pharmacy inventory count.
- Engage in efficient inventory management and collaborate with Pharmacy Business Office (PBO) and other buyers to identify cost-saving opportunities, shortage alternatives, and NDC switches.
- Communicate frequently and effectively with the Lead Buyer, Pharmacy Managers/Director, multiple departments, vendors, and staff to manage high-cost and non-formulary purchases.
- Under the supervision of the Lead Buyer, assist with drug recalls, reporting via RASMAS, loan/borrow accountability, and attending departmental meetings, including staff and Pharmacy Drug Shortage meetings.
- Work closely with the Pharmacy team to perform drug distribution, pre-packaging, inventory management in storerooms and Pyxis medstations, and maintain records (e.g., refrigerator temperature logs, hood cleaning).
- Handle billing, departmental recharge, and ensure compliance through regular area inspections, housekeeping, and security functions.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, varied shifts, depending on department needs
Hourly Salary Range: $27.88 - $40.04 (Union represented, step-based salary depending on years of experience)
Bargaining Unit: EX - AFSCME
Pharmacy Technician I (9283): Less than 2 years of experience
Pharmacy Technician II (9282): Equal to or more than 2 years of experience
We're seeking a dedicated professional with:
- CA Pharmacy Technician license - Required.
- 2 years of inpatient pharmacy experience - Highly preferred.
- Ability to accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations.
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical generic and trade names and their dosage forms, and the ability to cross-reference the most common drugs from memory.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and pharmaceutical abbreviations.
- Skill in preparing intravenous solutions using aseptic technique.
- Ability to work independently and follow-through on assignments with minimal supervision.
- Skill in computer order entry of medication orders as well as other related computer entry tasks and computer report generation.
- Telephone and verbal skills required to communicate clearly and effectively with pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other allied health professionals.
- Ability to compound chemotherapy solution utilizing departmental guidelines for the preparation/distribution of cytotoxic agents.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs and push 50 lbs
University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.