Specialty Pharmacy Access Technician (Full-Time)

Northwestern Medicine group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Loan forgiveness

401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Pharmacy Technician Specialist for Specialty Pharmacy Medication Access. This full-time, days position involves ensuring access to medications for patients through prior authorizations, co-pay assistance programs, and benefits investigations, under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

The role emphasizes coordination with clinical staff, payers, and patients to process authorizations efficiently, educate staff on billing policies, and participate in

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Illinois Pharmacy Technician license and certification status per IL Act.
• Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and communicate workflow changes with management and staff.
• Assist patients in obtaining medications via prior authorization, co-pay and patient assistance programs.
• Process prior authorization requests within prescribed timelines and enroll patients in manufacturer assistance programs.
• Conduct prescription audits and support third-party billing policies.
• Educate staff on third-party billing policies and procedures.
• Triage calls from patients, providers, and payers with professionalism.

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

PTCB Certification

ExCPT Certification

Job description

Pharmacy Technician Specialist-Specialty Pharmacy Medication Access, Full-time Days

• Full-time
• Hours Per Week / FTE: 40 hrs/wk - 1.0 FTE
• Salary Range Minimum : $26.69
• Salary Range Maximum: $37.37
• Compensation: USD 26.69 - USD 37.37 - hourly

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

ThePharmacy Technician Specialistreflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas; performs prescription-related, unit dose-related, and sterile product-related functions; performs manufacturing procedures that have been documented in the Department records.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding changes to workflows, updates, backorder, and new drug information when/where appropriate
• Responsible for providing access to medications for patients by completing Prior Authorization Requests, co-pay assistance programs, medication assistance programs, and benefits investigation
• Coordinates with third-party insurance, clinical staff, and patients to effectively process prior authorization requests for medications within the prescribed timelines
• Directly enrolls eligible patients into manufacturer patient assistance co-pay programs
• Identify, research, and resolve issues and consumer complaints
• Check incoming prescriptions for completeness of all required information needed for processing
• Possess working knowledge of participating third-party payors and their requirements
• Establish and maintain open communication with pharmacy operations analysts regarding third-party billing issues and centralized procurement team regarding ordering and inventory matters
• Assists with prescription audits as needed
• Educate pharmacy staff regarding third-party billing policies and procedures as needed
• Answers and triages patient, provider, and third-party calls to appropriate individuals adhering to phone scripts in a courteous and professional manner
• Contact payers for lost medication, replacement, or vacation overrides
• Troubleshoot and resolve billing rejections and subsequently rebill claims to appropriate carriers for all commercial, federal, and state insurance plans
• Verify and accurately update patient demographic information in appropriate system(s)
• Document patient’s insurance information in appropriate system(s)
• Refer and document any clinical questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health conditions requiring follow-up to a pharmacist
• Spend ≤ 5% of time on quality management of the program
• Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician at advanced level.
• Leads performance improvement initiatives
• Liaison between pharmacy and other departments
• Assists with/coordinates pharmacy technician schedule, services, prioritizing assignments and workflow, and promoting situational decision making/problem solving
• Fosters a team environment by providing education and training
• Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing
• Participates in site meetings (i.e. Drug Shortage, huddles, staff meetings)
• Responsible for controlled substance receiving, reconciliation, discrepancy tracking, and investigations
• Performs minor repairs of ADS machines
• Participates in projects as assigned by manager
• Handles recalls, crash carts monitoring, and kitcheck ordering
• Troubleshooting
• Restocks
• Performs Tech-Check-Tech (i.e. automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) runs/controlled substance in ADC; barcode scanned pills, pre-mixed IV bags)
• Other duties as assigned

Education:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Licensure:

• Pharmacy Technician licenses issued after 12/31/07 must have either CERTIFIED or STUDENT designation by their second license renew in accordance with Section 9 of the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act
• LicensedTechnicians prior to 1/1/2008 certification requirement must meet department skill level

Certification:

• Specialty Pharmacy: Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA

Experience:

• 1-2 years’ technician experience
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or outpatient setting

Physical Demands:

• Excellent critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervision

Preferred:

• Minimum 5 years’ technician experience

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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