Pharmacy Technician III - Compounding Pharmacy Buyer

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commitment bonus

Job summary

Duke Health's Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC is seeking a Pharmacy Technician III to support medication procurement and inventory, while ensuring safe medication use. The role coordinates with vendors, maintains stocks, and assists in sterile compounding per policy.

Qualified candidates have a pharmacy tech cert, NC board registration, and strong communication skills. On-site work with a $5,000 commitment bonus for new hires is offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and accredited pharmacy tech program.
• Acceptance into pharmacy school and related coursework preferred.
• One year of pharmacy/healthcare experience acceptable plus coursework.

Responsibilities

• Procure medications, chemicals, and supplies from wholesalers and vendors.
• Maintain inventory levels to support patient care and compounding.
• Monitor stock and usage trends to prevent shortages.
• Communicate with vendors by phone, email and other platforms.
• Coordinate with internal departments and suppliers for timely receipt.
• Maintain vendor relationships with professional service.
• Review inventory and place orders based on demand.
• Assist with inventory tracking, reconciliation and documentation.
• Coordinate with Materials Management for storage and replenishment.
• Perform sterile compounding per policies and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare materials for next day's compounding activities.
• Support daily pharmacy operations to meet patient care needs.

Skills

Drug names

Medical terminology

Pharmaceutical calculations

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Customer service

Organizational skills

Education

Pharmacy technician training program

Acceptance into pharmacy school

High school diploma + healthcare experience

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 270963

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Aug 21, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

$5,000 Commitment Bonus for Newly Hired Team Members

• Day shift


• Weekdays


• Holiday and weekend rotation

General Description of the Job Class

• This individual performs, under supervision, a variety of duties in accordance to department procedures, which may be related to the procurement, preparation, distribution and storage of drugs, as well as, provision of clinical pharmacy services according to the Pharmacy's role in ensuring safe medication use.


• Individuals eligible for pharmacy technician III are competent in all tasks associated with pharmacy technician level I and pharmacy technician level II. Pharmacy technician III staff must achieve and maintain certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.


• The pharmacy technician III coordinates technician staff and activities and/or is responsible for specific advanced duties (e.g., Automated Dispensing Cabinet, Sterile Preparation QA Specialist, Medication Inspection Specialist and Procurement Specialist).

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Pharmacy Purchasing and Inventory Management

• Procure medications, chemicals, and ancillary supplies from wholesalers and vendors


• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support patient care and compounding operations


• Monitor stock levels and usage trends to determine purchasing needs and prevent supply shortages


• Communicate regularly with vendors via phone, email, and other communication platforms regarding orders, backorders, product availability, and delivery timelines.


• Coordinate with internal departments and external suppliers to ensure timely receipt of products.


• Maintain strong vendor relationships through professional and effective customer service.


• Review inventory on a routine basis and place orders based on current and anticipated compounding demand.


• Assist with inventory management processes, including tracking, reconciliation, and documentation of purchased items.

Pharmacy Operations and Staffing Support

• Coordinate with Materials Management to ensure proper storage and replenishment of inventory.


• Perform sterile compounding activities in accordance with departmental policies and regulatory requirements.


• Prepare materials and supplies needed for the following day's compounding activities.


• Support daily pharmacy operations to meet patient care and production demands.


• Assist with other operational duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of an accredited pharmacy technician-training program.

or

• Acceptance into pharmacy school.

or

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of pharmacy or health care related experience.


• College course work in business/management, position specific advanced coursework, and/or an equivalent combination is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of pharmacy technician experience is required.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• North Carolina Board of Pharmacy registration is required.


• Pharmacy Technician certification is required from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of drug names, medical terminology and pharmaceutical calculations.


• Proficient computer skills including Excel, Word and PowerPoint


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Requires critical thinking skills with ability to implement solutions.


• Excellent customer service skills including prioritizing the needs of patients and multidisciplinary team members while displaying empathy in all interactions to ensure complete satisfaction.


• Strong organizational skills including staying focused on assigned task and using time and resources effectively and efficiently to achieve job expectations.


• Typical physical demands include ability to perform the job while standing, reaching, stretching, stooping, and sitting for prolonged times; manual dexterity sufficient to perform computer, dispensing functions of the job; ability to lift up to 20 lbs., while walking, stooping, bending and reaching.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.