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

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is seeking a Clinical Faculty/Clinical Pharmacist, Coordinator for the Patient Access Center (PAC) to provide operational and clinical oversight of prior authorizations and appeals. This full-time role leading staff and collaborating with UI Health providers drives efficiency and high-quality patient care.

The position requires a PharmD (ACPE-accredited), Illinois license, and 3+ years in a pharmacy setting with ambulatory experience.

Qualifications

• PharmD from ACPE-accredited program.
• Illinois pharmacist license as a registered pharmacist or eligibility upon employment.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a pharmacy setting and/or leadership role.
• Two years of clinical or operational experience in ambulatory pharmacy practice.
• Prior experience with pharmacy prior authorizations or managed care setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide didactic lectures and precepting of PharmD students, residents and fellows.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Patient Access Center and prior authorization processes.
• Support other pharmacy operations and Clinical Care Center as needed.
• Identify and implement quality improvements to prior authorization workflows.
• Develop training materials and educate staff on new therapies and formulary criteria.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Clinical pharmacy

Ambulatory care

Prior authorizations

Teaching

Education

PharmD (ACPE-accredited)

Job description

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

Hiring Department

Pharmacy Practice

Location

Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID

1040771

Posting Close Date

9/18/2026

Salary

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

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Summary/Description

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.

More information about the College and Department of Pharmacy Practice can be found at https://pharmacy.uic.edu and https://dpp.pharmacy.uic.edu

Duties

The academic responsibilities of the clinical faculty member include the provision of didactic lectures and precepting entry level Doctor of Pharmacy students, PGY1 residents and PGY2 residents. Scholarly activities, including presentations and publications, are an expectation as well.

Clinical Pharmacist duties include, but are not limited to:

• Staff to support day-to-day operations of the Patient Access Center including prior authorization submissions, appeal submissions, clinical support, and collaboration with UI Health medical providers.
• Staff to support day-to-day operations of other areas including pharmacy operations 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 operational 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 the patient's insurance formulary and clinical coverage criteria or following an adverse determination.
• Serve as a liaison between the Patient Access Center, UI Health pharmacies, and contracted clinics to assure quality and timely service to both clinic and patients.

Educational

• Participate in the education of nursing staff, medical staff, and all members of the health care team.
• Participate in site specific and departmental staff development by designing, evaluating and providing in-services, continuing education programs and by serving as a preceptor and role model.
• Participate in the education of PharmD. students, PGY1 and PGY2 residents, international pharmacists, and other pharmacy staff by serving as a preceptor and role model as defined by the guidelines and requirements of the Department of Pharmacy Practice.
• Provide didactic teaching at the College by serving as recitation facilitator, lecturer, and/or course coordinator.
• Provide education on new drug therapies to members of the Patient Access Center team.

Research and Scholarship

• 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, etc.).

Coordinator responsibilities

• Facilitate the daily operations of the Patient Access Center, including daily production and service quality.
• Facilitate proper coordination of care and service levels by supervising all phases of Patient Access Center operations.
• 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 to 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 is required upon employment.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a pharmacy setting and/or leadership role in lieu of completion of a post graduate year 1 residency and/or fellowship.
• Two years of clinical or operational experience in ambulatory pharmacy practice.
• Prior experience with pharmacy prior authorizations submissions and/or has practiced in a managed care setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a post graduate 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 effectively function within a multi-disciplinary health setting.
• Must possess knowledge and skills such that they qualify for a non-tenured clinical faculty position within the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the UIC College of Pharmacy. Academic rank commensurate with experience.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.