Patient Educator, Central

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus and equity

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid vacation (15+ days)

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Patient Educator to empower patients and caregivers navigating Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis (PDP). You’ll deliver clear, compassionate disease state education and help patients understand PDP and treatment options, including NUPLAZID®.

You’ll guide early engagement and support transitions to ACADIA Connect and PAMs for coverage and adherence. In this role, you will collaborate with Neurology and Long-Term Care sales teams, provide resources, and ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, social work, psychology, or related healthcare field.
• 3–5 years pharma experience, with patient education or navigation preferred.
• Knowledge of neurology, psychiatry, or movement disorders preferred; PDP experience strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Deliver pre-prescription disease state education to patients and caregivers.
• Provide information on product efficacy, safety, and access through ACADIA Connect.
• Distribute approved educational materials to raise PDP awareness and NUPLAZID usage.
• Collaborate with Patient Access Managers to address coverage, reimbursement, and affordability.
• Facilitate referral and transition to ACADIA Connect for access support.
• Collaborate with Neurology and Long-Term Care Sales to inform providers and advocates.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Collaboration

Active listening

Adaptability

Privacy & compliance

Education

Bachelor’s in nursing/social work/psychology or related healthcare field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Seeking talent near: Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Memphis, TN; Indianapolis, IN; Des Moines IA

As a Patient Educator, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to empower patients and caregivers navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis (PDP). In this vital role, you’ll deliver compassionate, clear, and actionable disease state education—helping individuals understand their condition and explore treatment options, including NUPLAZID®. You’ll serve as a trusted guide during early patient engagement, bridging the gap between diagnosis and ongoing support. By ensuring a smooth transition to ACADIA Connect and Patient Access Managers (PAMs), you’ll help patients access the resources they need for coverage, affordability, and long-term treatment adherence.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Caregiver Support

• Deliver pre-prescription (pre-NBRx) disease state education to patients and caregivers via small group meetings and presentations to advocacy groups, community-based organizations, and professional societies.
• Provide information regarding product efficacy, safety, and access support available through ACADIA Connect to patients and/or caregivers who have opted in through various programs.
• Offer approved educational resources helping patients and caregivers understand their disease and empower them to talk to their doctor about PDP.
• Distribute approved educational materials to enhance patient and caregiver awareness of PDP and potential treatment with NUPLAZID®.
• Build trusting relationships to ensure patients and caregivers feel supported throughout their journey.

Access & Coverage Coordination

• Collaborate with Patient Access Managers (PAMs) to address patient or caregiver questions related to coverage, reimbursement, and affordability.
• Facilitate the referral and transition process for patients into ACADIA Connect for comprehensive access assistance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner primarily with Neurology Sales Specialists and Long-Term Care Sales Specialists to ensure community-based healthcare providers are aware of Patient Educator resource provided by ACADIA.
• Respond to inquiries generated through patient/caregivers, key customers, community organizations, and/or advocacy events.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and professional societies to support patient and caregiver education programs.

Education and Program Enhancement

• Provide feedback and insights to the marketing team to improve patient engagement and educational initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, social work, psychology, or a related healthcare field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in pharma with preferred candidates having experience in patient education, patient navigation, advocacy, or pharmaceutical patient support services.
• Knowledge of neurology, psychiatry, or movement disorders preferred, experience with Parkinson’s Disease or PDP strongly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to build empathetic and supportive relationships with patients and caregivers.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills.
• Experience collaborating across marketing, patient support services, advocacy, and field-based teams.
• Familiarity with compliance standards for patient-facing pharmaceutical roles.
• Ability to meet travel requirements, including driving and overnight stays; air travel as needed.

Competencies:

• Patient-Centered Focus – Dedicated to improving patient and caregiver experiences.
• Empathy & Emotional Intelligence – Skilled at providing compassionate support.
• Collaboration & Teamwork – Works effectively across functions and with external partners.
• Strong Communication – Clear and effective educator with patients, caregivers, and internal teams.
• Adaptability & Initiative – Proactive in meeting evolving patient needs.
• Privacy, Compliance & Confidentiality – Consistently safeguards patient health information and adheres to company compliance and privacy standards; exercises discretion in all patient and caregiver interactions.

What we offer US-based Employees:

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefitTuition assistance

EEO Statement (US-based Employees):

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

California Applicants:

Please see Additional Information for California Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Canadian Applicants:

Please see Additional Information for Canadian Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia:

Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia within our Privacy Policy.

#LI-REMOTE #LI-SM1

In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

Salary Range

$109,500—$136,900 USD