Pharmacy Technician – Financial Coordinator

Cancer Care Specialists; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Care Specialists in Decatur, IL is seeking a Pharmacy Technician-Financial Coordinator. The role supports prior authorizations, co-pay assistance, care coordination, and adherence tracking under the Pharmacy Services Manager.

EPIC Willow/QS1 experience is used to dispense and document work. Qualifications include a high school diploma and Illinois Pharmacy Technician license; prior authorization experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent and Illinois Certified Pharmacy Technician.
• One to three years pharmacy technician experience; oncology/IV experience preferred.
• Experience with prior authorizations and pharmacy financial assistance a plus.

Responsibilities

• Obtains prior authorizations and secures co-pay assistance for medications prescribed by physicians.
• Coordinates care with physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to ensure access to quality care.
• Tracks patient adherence to prescribed medications and assists with training staff during absences.
• Prepares, labels, packages and dispenses medications as directed by Pharmacist and policy.
• Assists with inventory control and maintains required records in Epic/QS1.

Skills

Prior authorizations

Co-pay assistance

Inventory control

Communication

Billing accuracy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Illinois Certified Pharmacy Technician

Tools

EPIC Willow/QS1

Job description

Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois currently has openings for the following positions:

Location: Decatur, IL

Job Id:356

# of Openings:1

SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Pharmacy Services Manager, the Pharmacy Technician-Financial Coordinator is responsible for obtaining prior authorizations, co-pay assistance, coordination of care, adherence tracking, preparing, packaging and dispensing medications as prescribed and ordered by a licensed physician. The Pharmacy Technician-Financial Coordinator assists with inventory control, maintains required records, and bills accurately for pharmaceutical services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Duties


• Obtains prior authorizations and secures co-pay assistance for medications prescribed and ordered by a licensed physician for all patients.


• Coordinates care with physicians, pharmacists, nursing, and other applicable entities to ensure patient access to quality care across the continuum.


• Works in conjunction with staff to track patient adherence to medications prescribed and ordered by a licensed physician.


• Assumes responsibility for training and preparing relevant staff persons in the event of an extended absence.


• Prepares, packages and labels prescriptions as ordered by the physician and directed by the Pharmacist and in compliance with Pharmacy policies/procedures and federal/state regulations.


• Processes investigational drugs as directed by the Pharmacist.


• Packages nonsterile products into single doses as needed.


• Initials all labels and other required documentation.


• Secures proper shipment of all medications being delivered.


• Restocks drug supplies, drugs, computer, and clerical supplies.


• Assists the Pharmacist with inventory control.


• Assesses inventory of medications and supplies daily.


• Notifies Pharmacist of any low supply items daily and as needed for reordering.


• Verifies items received per invoice and notifies Pharmacist of any discrepancies.


• Puts away drug deliveries and other supplies in a timely manner.


• Orders supplies and maintains inventory.


• Utilizes EPIC Willow/QS1 system to dispense and document work.


• Maintains proper bin reconciliation for all processed medications that have not been received by the patient.


• Maintains appropriate records related to medication distribution and dispensing in Epic/QS1.


• Assists the Pharmacist during emergency situations, such as adverse reactions to chemotherapy infusions, and retrieves necessary medications and supplies as needed.


• Discards chemotherapy waste and other biohazardous substances in approved containers and according to Pharmacy procedures. Prepares biohazardous waste for disposal from the facility.


• Serves as a resource person for physicians, nurses and other staff regarding Pharmacy issues and questions. Recognizes situations that exceed technician authority (e.g. drug information) and refers to Pharmacist.


• Maintains a safe and efficient working environment in the Pharmacy by maintaining a clean work area and following all regulations in accordance with regulatory agencies and Pharmacy policies.


• Completion of required documentation in Simplifi 797 on a daily basis.


• Complies with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposures to chemotherapeutic agents, blood and body fluids, other potentially infectious materials, chemical disinfectants, and other hazardous substances.


• Professional Communication


• Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to all aspects of employment, including patient/family/significant other confidentiality.


• Interacts with patients/family/significant others with a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds.


• Maintains professional relationships and conveys relevant information to other members of the health care team.


• Internal Contacts: Pharmacist, physicians, nursing staff, office staff, other Pharmacy staff, billing representatives, etc., and staff at other CCSI facilities.


• External Contacts: Other pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical representatives, etc.


• Relays information appropriately over telephones, facsimiles, pagers, and other communication devices, and follows-through as needed.


• Communicates appropriate information to physicians, supervisors, and/or other members of the healthcare team as needed, and follows-through on physician orders and requests.


• Teamwork


• Works collaboratively as a health care team member.


• Provides pharmaceutical information as needed to those who require information, including physicians, nursing staff, radiation staff, and other Pharmacy staff.


• Assists with tasks necessary for the efficient and effective operation and organization of the Pharmacy.


• Maintains positive attitude with patients, family/significant others and coworkers.


• Professional Development


• Attends staff meetings and mandatory inservices.


• Responsible for maintaining/meeting own continuing education requirements for licensure.


• Contributes to the quality of patient care and participates in quality improvement initiatives.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:

High school graduate or equivalent. Current licensure with the State of Illinois as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Must take EPIC training and successfully pass required tests.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

One to three years pharmacy technician experience. Prefer one-year IV compounding experience. Prefer hospital or home health pharmacy experience. Prefer oncology pharmacy experience. Prefer one-year previous experience with prior authorizations and pharmacy related financial assistance.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Knowledge of basic pharmacy procedures and equipment. Knowledge of metric system. Knowledge of drug and medical nomenclature. Knowledge of pharmacy medication order systems. Knowledge and skills to prepare and dispense drugs and medications. Knowledge of safety precautions and procedures related to exposure to chemotherapy and hazardous substances, blood and other potentially infectious materials. Verbal and written English communication skills for safe and effective patient care and to meet documentation standards. Eye, hand, and auditory coordination. Ability to operate office equipment, including telephones, PCs, copiers, facsimiles, etc. Ability to use pharmaceutical compounding equipment for compounding sterile and non-sterile products. Ability to maintain inventory of drugs and supplies. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work meeting time constraints and with moderate direct supervision. Ability to judge the appropriate action in response to changes, circumstances or problems. Ability to work under pressure with time constraints; ability to meet deadlines and work with frequent interruptions. Ability to maintain professional attitude at all times. Ability to function in a sometimes demanding and fast-paced work environment related to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes and those who are dying. Understands errors in processing, preparation or dispensing of pharmaceuticals may delay treatment of patients and/or cause adverse effects, including death. Understands and practices patient confidentiality. A positive attitude towards health care team members and diverse patient populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB:

Standing, walking, sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, twisting, reaching, handling, kneeling, and wrist and digital dexterity. Speaking, hearing, and visual acuity to receive and interpret instructions; communicate with patients and other health care professionals; use telephone system; and operate pharmacy and general office equipment.

Manual dexterity to prepare and dispense drugs and medications. Concentrated mental/visual acuity, corrected vision to work with detail material, and ability to recognize clear liquids, turbid solutions, and chemical reactions. Frequent, prolonged periods of sitting or standing in order to prepare drugs and medications. Frequent bending and reaching. Physical stamina required to endure long periods of preparing drugs and medications. Exerting force (frequently up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 20 pounds or more) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including pharmacy supplies, etc. Able to move quickly from place to place on occasion. Possible driving.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to work under stress and adapt to changing conditions. Must be able to respond to emergency situations in a calm, professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Pharmacy environment. Frequent work interruptions. Job duties involve frequent potential for exposure to chemotherapy and other hazardous substances, chemical disinfectants, etc., and limited exposure to blood and body fluids. Special protective equipment must be used for required preparations of hazardous substances and spill cleanup.