Clinical Faculty (Open Rank)/Clinical Pharmacist, Coordinator, Patient Access Center (PAC)

About the role

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Retzky College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Ambulatory Pharmacy Services is seeking a full-time Clinical Faculty (Open Rank)/Clinical Pharmacist, Coordinator, Patient Access Center (PAC). This position provides operational and clinical oversight to the Patient Access Center team, which manages prior authorizations and appeals, and leads quality improvement initiatives to ensure efficient, accurate prior authorization services for clinics and patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide didactic lectures and precept entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy students, PGY1 residents, and PGY2 residents.
• Staff day-to-day operations of the Patient Access Center including prior authorization submissions, appeal submissions, clinical support, and collaboration with UI Health medical providers.
• Support operations in pharmacy or the Clinical Care Center as needed.
• Support the Patient Access Center team and clinics in providing justification to appeal adverse prior authorization outcomes.
• Identify areas for operational and quality improvement and assist with executing plans to improve efficiency and quality.
• Develop training materials to address knowledge gaps and emerging trends impacting prior authorizations.
• Collaborate with UI Health providers to suggest alternative therapies based on insurance formularies and clinical coverage criteria.
• Serve as a liaison between the Patient Access Center, UI Health pharmacies, and contracted clinics to ensure quality and timely service.
• Participate in the education of nursing staff, medical staff, and healthcare team members.
• Participate in site-specific and departmental staff development by designing, evaluating, and providing in-services and continuing education programs.
• Provide didactic teaching at the College as recitation facilitator, lecturer, and/or course coordinator.
• Provide education on new drug therapies to members of the Patient Access Center team.
• Participate in research and scholarly activities.
• Attend and actively participate in Departmental, College, and Team meetings.
• Represent the Department at University and UIH committees as assigned.
• Participate in public service events (e.g., Brown Bags, community education).
• Facilitate daily operations of the Patient Access Center, including daily production and service quality.
• Evaluate staff development and identify training needs for Patient Access Center staff.
• Ensure the team meets all Patient Access Center metrics, including prior authorization first pass and overall approval rates, turnaround time expectations, and sustaining referral volume.
• Facilitate regular meetings with the Patient Access Center team, including team meetings and individual check-ins.
• Facilitate the recruitment, hiring, and training of the Patient Access Center team.
• Assist in probationary evaluations of assigned technicians and externs.
• Collect and analyze data for operational and quality metrics.
• Present pertinent updates to the Specialty Pharmacy Quality Committee Meeting.
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly meetings with contracted clinics to review prior authorization metrics and evaluate the quality of the service line.
• Assist in identifying and developing opportunities to expand the central prior authorization service.
• Support the Assistant Director of Business, Specialty Pharmacy Services in collaboration with contracted clinics to implement central prior authorization services.

Requirements

• PharmD from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
• Illinois pharmacist license as a registered pharmacist or eligibility for an Illinois license by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation upon employment.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a pharmacy setting and/or leadership role in lieu of completion of a postgraduate year 1 residency and/or fellowship.
• Two years of clinical or operational experience in ambulatory pharmacy practice.
• Prior experience with pharmacy prior authorization submissions and/or practice in a managed care setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a postgraduate year 1 residency and/or fellowship.
• Board certification.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and leading process improvement and/or quality improvement initiatives.
• Prior experience or demonstrated ability to effectively participate in didactic and/or clerkship teaching.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Prior experience and/or demonstrated ability to function effectively within a multidisciplinary health setting.
• Must possess knowledge and skills qualifying for a non-tenured clinical faculty position within the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the UIC College of Pharmacy.

Pay

The budgeted salary rate for the position is $135,000 – $160,000.

Benefits

This position is eligible for benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.