Medication Access Specialist Technician

SUMMARY

Reports to Pharmacist-in-Charge, Brown University Health Specialty Pharmacy. Under the supervision of a Pharmacist and direction of the Pharmacy Technician Group Leader, performs advanced technical functions in preparing, formulating, and packaging medication and pharmaceutical supplies. Assists the Pharmacy Technician Group Leader in coordinating specialty pharmacy activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains a friendly, pleasant, and helpful nature when interacting with customers/patients, providers, nurses, and support personnel.
• Maintains and supports pharmacy interdepartmental relationships to ensure seamless transition of patient care from clinic to pharmacy.
• Participates in the growth of the Specialty Pharmacy patient population through face-to-face patient interaction and recruitment.
• Responds to questions relative to cost and availability of medication and pharmaceutical supplies.
• Informs customers/patients, providers and support personnel of wait times and any issues regarding drug availability, including advising on the refill authorization process for expired prescription orders.
• Educates patients on the features and value of the Brown University Health Pharmacy Specialty Drug Patient Management Program (SDPMP).
• Protects and maintains customer/patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.
• Collects customer/patient personal information necessary for filling prescriptions and/or benefits investigation including but not limited to name, address, date of birth, and insurance information.
• Enters pertinent customer/patient data into appropriate pharmacy systems to ensure accurate processing of insurance billing/payment.
• Collects and processes payment for customer/patient transactions.
• Encourages patient retention through the development of individual relationships with assigned patients.
• Proactively contacts patients via phone, in-person, or other supervisor approved modality to assess patient need for medication, including estimations of patient adherence such as medication supply on hand.
• Affords assistance to patients/customers in resolving identified problems.
• Proactively identifies patients with clinical needs such as questions concerning medications and drug interactions and refers such patients to a pharmacist.
• Conducts a benefits investigation for patients new to the SDPMP and identifies coverage details that the patient or patient’s representative are unable to provide.
• Secures therapy-related financial assistance for patients whenever possible including, but not limited to, manufacturer assistance programs and nationally recognized foundations.
• Navigates the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to effectively answer questions and provide documentation as needed for prior authorizations and/or financial assistance application.
• Refers patients to medication manufacturer assistance programs and/or aids with application to said programs when applicable.
• Secures medication refills and prior authorization renewals proactively.
• Assists pharmacists in identifying ancillary supplies necessary for select medications such as sharps containers, needles/syringes, alcohol swabs and bandages that may not have been prescribed for the patient.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned areas of the pharmacy including, but not limited to, Specialty Pharmacy call center operations, non-sterile compounding, medication purchasing, and prescription dispensing operations, including delivery support.
• Ensures medication supply areas are neat and orderly and medications are stored under proper conditions for light, temperature and sanitation.
• Supports accreditation maintenance and payor and medication access through the documentation of required data points related to patient care and operations.
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities. Assists in identifying improvement opportunities and in the development of new processes.
• Participates in medication safety initiatives related to the Brown University Health Pharmacy and uses approved processes for reporting actual, prevented and near miss medication errors.
• Under the guidance of a Pharmacist or Technician Group Leader, assists in training, on-boarding, and supporting fellow staff.
• Rotates to applicable Brown University Health Pharmacy Services work assignments as needed contingent upon demonstrated competency and knowledge.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BASIC KNOWLEDGE:
• High school graduate or equivalent degree required. Completion of one to two years of college preferred.
• Maintains current unrestricted Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician licensure.
• Holds and maintains current National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) or has a minimum of one-year licensed pharmacy technician work experience, sits for National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) exam within first 6 months of hire, and achieves and maintains National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) within 12 months of hire.
• EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum two years’ experience as a pharmacy technician. Commensurate experience in a related field (e.g., benefits management) may be considered in lieu of technician experience.
• Previous experience with Specialty Pharmacy services, call center customer service, and/or prior authorization management strongly preferred.
• Strong customer service presence and verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively interact with customers/patients, providers, nurses, and ancillary support staff required.
• Must have the ability to multi-task and reprioritize as needed while maintaining accuracy and service standards.
• Must obtain, within 3 months of hire, and maintain no less than annually thereafter, Medication Access Specialist Technician competency requirements, including disease state-specific training, accreditation updates, and other operational competencies as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the physical ability to lift, carry, and maneuver medication delivery equipment and pharmaceutical related inventories, including the ability to grasp instruments and finger dexterity.
• Work may require extended periods of time spent standing and walking.
• Work requires the visual acuity and manual dexterity necessary to operate a personal computer and input data into the system using a typical keyboard and computer mouse to navigate screens on a computer monitor.

INDEPENDENT ACTION

• Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to supervisor where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None.

PAY RANGE

$26.67-$27.75

LOCATION

Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

WORK TYPE

Rotating shifts within 7am-7pm M-F, rotating weekends and holidays

WORK SHIFT

Day

DRIVING REQUIRED

No

UNION

International Brotherhood Teamsters