Pharmacy Technician III, Medication Access Team

Tufts Medicine; Stoneham (MA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts Medicine is seeking a Pharmacy Technician III on the Medication Access Team to support patients by facilitating access to specialty and non-specialty medications and navigating insurance requirements.

The role involves submitting and tracking prior authorizations, coordinating with insurers and clinicians, and documenting all activities in EMR and pharmacy systems to ensure timely therapy access.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
• Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Registration.
• One year of pharmacy-related experience.

Responsibilities

• Submits, tracks, and follows up on prior authorization requests for medications.
• Communicates with insurance companies, patients, providers, nurses, pharmacists, and clinic staff regarding authorization status and medication access needs.
• Identifies and assists with medication access solutions, financial assistance programs, manufacturer assistance, and other coverage options.
• Documents activities accurately and timely within the EMR and pharmacy systems.
• Contributes to quality performance projects to help with barriers delaying patient access to therapy.

Skills

Prior authorizations

Communication

Organizational skills

Customer service

Pharmacy terminology

Education

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Registration

Job description

Pharmacy Technician III, Medication Access Team

Under the general supervision of a pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician III on the Medication Access Team supports patients seen by a Tufts Medicine clinician by facilitating access to specialty and non-specialty medications and navigating insurance requirements.

Key responsibilities includes:

• Submitting, tracking, and following up on prior authorization requests for medications.
• Communicating with insurance companies, patients, providers, nurses, pharmacists, and clinic staff regarding authorization status and medication access needs.
• Identifying and assisting with medication access solutions, financial assistance programs, manufacturer assistance, and other coverage options.
• Documenting activities accurately and timely within the electronic medical record (EMR) and pharmacy systems.
• Contributing to quality performance projects to help with barriers that may delay patient access to therapy.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience with prior authorizations, specialty pharmacy, insurance reimbursement, or medication access services. Experience is preferred but not required; training will be provided for the right candidate.
• Possess excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Be committed to delivering exceptional patient-centered care and helping patients obtain timely access to prescribed therapies.

This role is an integral part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving patient outcomes and ensuring seamless access to specialty and non-specialty medications.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
3. Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Registration.
4. One (1) year of pharmacy-related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Associate's degree.
2. Two (2) Years of pharmacy-related experience in a hospital setting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Participates in advanced financial transaction and audit activities.
2. Completes routine benefit investigation for high cost and complex medications.
3. Performs audits of narcotic utilization, inventory control, and cost accounting or billing for specialized areas.
4. Engages in advanced customer service activities.
5. Investigates and resolves medication issues or request, and communicates directly with patients or health care providers.
6. Communicates medication‑related issues to all appropriate heath care professionals.
7. Completes advanced data collection activities.
8. Completes medication profile data collection and medication history collection.
9. Communicates effectively with nursing, physicians, and ancillary services to meet the needs of these departments and maintains a positive working relationship and image of the pharmacy department.
10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

The following duties only apply to hospital technicians:

1. Performs complex non‑sterile and hazardous sterile medication preparation activities.
2. Operates advanced, innovative technology to assist in preparation of sterile products.
3. Makes complex allergy testing kits that require serial dilutions (complex math calculations).
4. Prepares a variety of products including specialized dilutions and specialty infusions.
5. Partakes in advanced medication dispensing activities.
6. Performs process validation utilizing bar code scanning technology i.e., technology checks technician.
7. Removes scheduled II‑IV medications from the narcotic vault for the replenishment of automated dispensing cabinets.
8. Navigates workflows for high priority orders and prescriptions.
9. Displays versatility within the operations to support timely medication dispensing.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to walk and stand 90% of the day and to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
2. Frequent reaching and grasping below, at, and above shoulder level.
3. Pushing and/or pushing non‑motorized equipment (e.g. carts, IV rolling rack, and medication rolling racks, etc.) weighing 40 to 60 lbs.
4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate prescription medications and computer keyboard.
5. Ability to see medications, computer screen, and reports.
6. Reading automated dispensing reports regularly.
7. Works in an area with some discomfort due to dust, dirt, and temperature changes.
8. May be exposed to broken glass and some exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Ability to be organized and systematic.
2. Ability to communicate effectively.
3. Ability to perform work in a timely and efficient manner.
4. Possess excellent telephone etiquette skills.
5. Extensive knowledge of medications including: Brand and generic names, dosing forms, indications, formulary status and strengths.
6. Applies to Hospital Technicians Only: Knowledge of hazardous substance handling, complex sterile compounding techniques, and mathematical calculations.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing pharmacy related services in a hospital or retail setting. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Pharmacy Services duties: Delivers pharmaceuticals. Includes professionals who are trained and sometimes licensed to dispense medicine/controlled substances. An organizational related support or service (administrative or clerical) role or a role that focuses on support of daily business activities (e.g., technical, clinical, non‑clinical) operating in a "hands on" environment. The majority of time is spent in the delivery of support services or activities, typically under supervision. A senior level role that requires broad knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through extensive work experience and may require vocational or technical education. Works under limited supervision for routine situations, provides assistance and training to lower level employees, and problems typically are not routine and require analysis to understand.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth-one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range

$24.65 - $30.82
based on full-time equivalent