Medication Access Specialist-PRN-SMH

Ochsner Health; Slidell (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health in Slidell, Louisiana, is seeking an experienced pharmacy technician to assist healthcare providers with medication management. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of relevant experience and a High School Diploma. Responsibilities include coordinating the medication authorization process and maintaining accurate patient medication records.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on patient care by ensuring compliance with medication protocols and providing high-quality customer service to patients and healthcare teams.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience as a pharmacy technician or healthcare employee.
• Experience with insurance for medication authorizations preferred.
• Medication Therapy Management Certification or equivalent certification required.

Responsibilities

• Processes patient on-boarding.
• Coordinates with providers and patients for financial support eligibility.
• Navigates the medication authorization process.
• Documents findings into the electronic health record for collaboration.

Skills

Proficiency in using computers

Knowledge of pharmaceutical mathematics

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

This job assists providers by ensuring patients' compliance with medications, lab monitoring, adherence to medication therapy, authorizing medication refills, maintaining accurate pharmacy preferences, identifying discrepancies or problems with medication history information, assisting patients with the medication authorization process, and assisting patients with overcoming barriers to accessing medications. Communicates with patients, families, caregivers, healthcare providers/practitioners, and pharmacy personnel to maintain accurate and complete medication history information while documenting encounters within the electronic health record (EHR). Forwards any problems to a pharmacist, provider, or clinic staff to assist with resolution.

Responsibilities

• Processes patient on-boarding.
• Coordinates with providers and patients to assess eligibility for financial support.
• Navigates the medication authorization process.
• Obtains and clarifies patients' home/chronic medication.
• Uses the EHR to input patients' home/chronic medication lists.
• Communicates discrepancies identified via the medication history process with the pharmacist and makes clarifications with the patient and prescribers as needed.
• Collects patients' prescription benefit information.
• Communicates and directs all questions or inquiries from patient or families outside the scope of taking the medication history to the appropriate caregivers or staff.
• Provides high quality customer service to patients, family members, and care team members.
• Documents all appropriate findings into the EHR for ease of collaboration among providers, support staff, and other refill clinic staff.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience: 2 years of experience as a pharmacy technician, medical intake, or healthcare employee working with medications.

Preferred: Experience working with insurance to process medication authorizations, working with outpatient clinics and processing medication refill requests, or experience with taking patient medication history.

Certifications: Medication Therapy Management Certification obtained through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), or Medication History Certificate from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) obtained within 6 months.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical mathematics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Ability to operate standard pharmacy and office equipment.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid. The incumbent has no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases. Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.