Medication Access Technician

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF Medical Center seeks a Pharmacy Medication Support Specialist to manage PA and refill requests, submitting forms for insurance authorization and contacting insurers for alternative therapies. The role requires reviewing medical records in APeX and communicating status to patients.

Strong emphasis on multitasking, accurate documentation, and collaboration with pharmacy and ambulatory clinics. Requires CA-licensed technician with at least 3 years’ experience and hospital/clinical setting

Qualifications

• Completion of a recognized/accredited Pharmacy Technician Training Program.
• Licensed Pharmacy Technician by the California Board of Pharmacy.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a Pharmacy Technician or allied healthcare professional.
• Strong computer skills and use of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to prioritize work efficiently.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and ability to work with a diverse population.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to multitask and adapt to changing assignments.
• Basic math skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate prescription prior authorization (PA) and refill requests.
• Obtain, prepare and submit forms for insurance authorizations.
• Request information from insurers about alternative therapies.
• Provide patients with timely updates on PA status.
• Evaluate refill requests per protocol and review medical records in APeX.
• Conduct medication benefits investigations and explore financial assistance options.
• Serve as primary contact for medication authorization and refill requests.

Skills

Pharmacy terminology

Prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Microsoft Office

EMR (APeX)

Education

Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Licensed Pharmacy Technician (CA)

Bachelor’s in health/behavioral science

Medical Assistant Certification

Tools

APeX EMR

Job description

Job Description

As a patient-centered organization, UCSF Medical Center exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership and respect. UCSF Medical Center seeks faculty and staff that are committed to the values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence that are integral to our mission

Under the supervision of the Medication Access Manager and guided by the policies and procedures of the Ambulatory and Outpatient Pharmacy Services, the Pharmacy Medication Support Specialist (MSS) facilitates prescription prior authorization (PA) and refill requests This role involves obtaining, preparing and submitting the necessary forms for insurance authorizations, requesting information from insurance companies regarding possible alternative therapies, and providing patients with timely communications regarding the status of the PA. In addition, this position is also responsible in facilitating medication refills requests. Using a refill protocol, the MSS evaluates refill requests for adherence to the refill protocol criteria which includes reviewing a patient’s medical record in APeX and contacting a patient for needed information. The MSS also performs medication benefits investigations and explores financial assistance options where applicable, to ensure patients have access to the medication they need, acting as the primary contact for all medication authorization and refill requests.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
• Completion of a recognized/accredited Pharmacy Technician Training Program.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a Pharmacy Technician or allied healthcare professional in a hospital, pharmacy, or other health care setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong computer skills and use of Microsoft Office
• Ability to prioritize work efficiently
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, writing skills, and ability to work effectively with a large, diverse population, including maintaining good relationships between the Pharmacy and Ambulatory clinics.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Must be able to multitask and be flexible in changing work assignments at short notice
• Basic math skills

Preferred Qualification

• Recent experience processing third-party billing, including prior authorization facilitation and refill authorization
• Bilingual in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Russian preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in health or behavioral science.
• Medical Assistant Certification
• Ability to use EMR and perform chart abstraction into EMR – specifically APeX
• Adaptable to learn new technologies including AI solutions.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Licensed Pharmacy Technician by the California Board of Pharmacy and in good standing

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values . In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here . Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html