Patient Educator

Ascendis Pharma; Roanoke (VA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability benefits

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Ascendis Pharma seeks a Patient Access Liaison to educate patients and caregivers and guide them through insurance coverage and reimbursement processes. This field-based role collaborates with internal teams to ensure timely access to therapies and supports initiation of treatment.

You will build strong relationships with patients and caregivers, assess needs, and provide education on disease state and product. Travel up to 50% including home visits and advocacy events may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years in a direct patient support role, with ability to explain disease state, product and access concepts.
• Clinical/Allied Health degree/licensure preferred, with at least 5 years of clinical experience in pediatrics, endocrinology, neurology, ENT, orthopedics, or related.
• Two years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for patients and caregivers for education on disease state and access.
• Develop and maintain relationships with patients and caregivers via in-person and virtual interactions.
• Assess patient needs to develop tailored action plans for patient advocacy.
• Provide education on disease state, product and insurance coverage.
• Educate patients on insurance coverage and therapy access processes.
• Conduct medication administration education after coverage is established.
• Share information on affordability resources as needed.
• Manage long-term relationships with patients and care teams with a structured communication plan.
• Collaborate with cross-functional internal teams as needed.
• Partner with patient advocacy and attend education symposia as needed.
• Report adverse events and product complaints in collaboration with PV and QA teams.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
• Role requires up to 50% travel including overnight travel, home visits, and occasional weekend travel.

Skills

Patient education

Reimbursement guidance

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Clinical/Allied Health degree/licensure preferred

Job description

Ascendis Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon® technology platform to fulfill our mission of developing new therapies that demonstrate best-in-class potential to address unmet medical needs. At our headquarters in Hellerup, Denmark, research facilities in Heidelberg, Germany, and additional offices across Europe and the United States, we are advancing programs in our Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology portfolios. We also collaborate with partners on the development of TransCon-based products in other therapeutic areas and markets.

The Patient Access Liaison (PAL) is a field-based role dedicated to providing education and reimbursement support to adult and pediatric patients and caregivers. The PAL supports patient access to therapy by guiding patients and caregivers through the insurance, coverage, and reimbursement process, and providing disease state, product, and medication administration education. This highly visible position collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure patients receive timely access to needed therapies, supporting safe, appropriate treatment initiation, and reinforcing correct product use.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients and caregivers for education on disease state, Ascendis products, and questions related to therapy access and administration.
• Develop and maintain relationships with patients and caregivers via in‑person and virtual interactions.
• Assess the individual needs of the patient to develop an appropriate plan of action that empowers patient and caregiver advocacy utilizing approved resources.
• Provide individualized education to patients and caregivers on disease state and product using approved resources,
• Educate patients on their insurance coverage and the process for obtaining therapy.
• Conduct medication administration education as required once coverage is established.
• Provide information on affordability resources as needed.
• Manage long‑term relationships with patients and their care team by developing a communication plan tailored to the needs of the patient and their care team.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional internal teams as needed.
• Partner with Patient Advocacy and attend patient education symposia as needed.
• Partner with Patient Safety and Pharmacovigilance (PV) and Complaint Management Quality Systems and Compliance colleagues to report adverse events (AEs) and product complaints.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
• This position will require up to 50% travel including overnight travel. Travel will include going into patient homes, meeting both patients and caregivers. There will also be some weekend travel to support advocacy and congress needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree AND at least 5 years of experience in a direct patient support role, and the ability to explain disease state, product, and access and reimbursement concepts at the consumer level.
• Clinical/Allied Health degree/licensure preferred, with at least 5 years of clinical experience in pediatrics, endocrinology, neurology, ENT, orthopedics, or related.
• A minimum of two years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Experience in product launches for orphan or rare diseases with the ability to learn detailed product and disease information preferred.
• Experience with educating patients and caregivers on how to administer injectable products
• Experience in patient education and understanding of and working through reimbursement obstacles.
• Familiarity with HIPAA guidelines, FDA requirements, and OIG Compliance guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively and autonomously in a team environment and communicate with cross‑functional partners.
• Ability to respond quickly and adapt to evolving patient and care team needs.
• Professional, proactive demeanor with excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Adherence to all company compliance programs and policies is required.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents

The annual base salary for this position is $185,000 - $190,000. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. In addition, some positions may include a company car or car allowance and eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and/or individual performance.