What are the responsibilities and job description for the SPECIALTY PHARMACY TECHNICIAN position at Christ Community Health Services?
TITLE:
Specialty Pharmacy Technician
REPORTS TO:
Specialty Pharmacist
FLSA:
Non-Exempt
DEPARTMENT:
Pharmacy
LOCATION:
East Jackson
JOB SUMMARY:
The Specialty Pharmacy Technician supports the operations of a specialty pharmacy by assisting the pharmacist with the preparation, processing, and dispensing of specialty medications (e.g. hepatitis C, HIV). This role focuses on ensuring timely and accurate prescription fulfillment while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. The Specialty Pharmacy Technician plays a key role in coordinating patient care via patient-facing interactions and via the specialty pharmacy call center. Additional responsibilities include benefits investigation, obtaining prior authorizations, initiating patient assistance, managing inventory, coordinating medication delivery, and facilitating communication between providers, patients, and insurance companies.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specialty Pharmacy Workflow:
- Process and fill specialty medication prescriptions under the supervision of a specialty pharmacist
- Conduct benefits investigations and obtain prior authorizations, working closely with insurance companies and providers
- Manage specialty medication inventory ensuring proper storage, handling, and tracking
- Document and maintain thorough records of patient interactions for regulatory compliance
- Assist with quality assurance programs and ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations
- Stay up to date on new specialty pharmacy regulations and company policies
Specialty Pharmacy Call Center Workflow:
- Serve as the primary point of contact by answering inbound calls from patients, providers, and pharmacy staff members regarding prescriptions and pharmacy services
- Process specialty prescription refill requests and verify patient information
- Coordinate patient follow-ups to monitor adherence and address concerns
- Provide patients with updates on prescription status and delivery timelines
- Escalate clinical issues, beyond the scope of a pharmacy technician, to the specialty pharmacist when necessary
- Work closely with internal pharmacy staff to resolve medication-related concerns
- Assist with outbound calls for prescription reminders and follow-ups as needed
In-House Pharmacy Workflow:
- Assist in-house pharmacy staff with general, retail-style pharmacy workflow and tasks in the event pharmacy technician coverage is needed
- Accurately enter prescription drug data into pharmacy operating system
- Processing patient transactions, including ringing up purchases and handling payments
Communication:
- Treats patients, co-workers, and clinic staff in a respectful and confidential manner.
- Able to respond to the requests of patients, co-workers, clinic staff requests in a courteous and timely manner
- Understands and adheres to patient confidentiality practices and procedures, and will hold themselves accountable to ensuring patient privacy
Regulatory / Record Compliance:
- Engages in quality assurance activities to support specialty pharmacy operations and patient care
- Accurately document required information in an efficient and timely manner to support seamless patient care and with adherence specialty pharmacy regulation and compliance
Other Duties as Assigned:
- Performs other clinical and pharmacy duties as assigned to accommodate reasonable needs of the patients and the department provided duties to meet practice norms and legal regulations/standards
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Tennessee state Pharmacy Technician licensure in good standing
- Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB or equivalent) in good standing
- Strong knowledge of pharmacy calculations and sig codes, and commonly prescribed medications
- Minimum of 1 year of experience in a specialty pharmacy setting
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in any of the follow settings: retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, or pharmacy call center
- Basic knowledge and navigational skills of Microsoft Office programs (Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
- Strong problem-solving and investigative skills
- Strong customer service and verbal and written communication skills
Desired Experience:
- Proficiency in navigating TherigySTM specialty pharmacy management software highly preferred
- Proficiency in eClinicalWorks highly preferred
- Proficiency in PioneerRx pharmacy software highly preferred
- Proficiency in navigating prior authorization hub CoverMyMeds and experience in prior authorization processing
- Previous call center experience preferably in a healthcare and/or pharmacy setting
- Preferred Bachelors and/or post graduate degree
- 5 years’ work experience in a specialty pharmacy setting
- 5 years’ work experience in a retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, or pharmacy call center setting
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Opportunities for professional development
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed in a structured pharmacy setting. Physical demands include being required to walk throughout the clinic, pharmacy, lifting items up to 20 pounds, experiencing long periods of sitting and standing, and frequent use of computer, keyboard, headset, and phone.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
In the event of inclement weather, the Specialty Pharmacy Technician may be expected to provide call center and pharmacy support virtually. Appropriate equipment will be provided in order for tasks such as receiving inbound calls, prescription inputting, etc. to be performed remotely.
The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.
