SPECIALTY PHARMACY PROGRAM OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (FULL-TIME/DAYS)
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Pharmacy
Posted on June 15, 2019
Req #: | 166650 |
Department: | UW MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY |
Job Location: | UW Medical Center |
Posting Date: | 06/07/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Total compensation is competitive. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. |
Shift: | First Shift |
The UW is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. As an employee you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please view this page.
UWMC PHARMACY has an opportunity for an SPECIALTY PHARMACY PROGRAM OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (Full-Time, Days) to identify patients' needs regarding medication and ensure coverage of medication on insurance plans. The Specialty Pharmacy Program Operations Specialist is responsible for the direction and control of the UWMC Specialty Pharmacy program for assigned clinics. Additionally, the Specialty Pharmacy Program Operations Specialist maximizes pharmacy reimbursement through programs that provide funding or provision of medication and provides specialty pharmacy and patient assistance program information and education to providers, patients and staff.
Responsibilities:
Management:
• Identify patient needs and ensure coverage of medication on their insurance plan. If not covered, obtain necessary information from patient and provider to enable justification for Patient Assistance program.
• Obtain initial and renewal insurance authorization for infusion medications as required by insurance plans.
• Ensure patients’ specialty prescriptions are sent to the appropriate pharmacy for fulfillment along with any co-pay assistance documentation.
• Function as the pharmacy liaison for patients within assigned clinics.
• Participate in the Specialty Pharmacy quality management program as part of the Specialty Pharmacy Committee. Develop a plan to improve, streamline, and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the specialty pharmacy program. Work with the Specialty Pharmacy team to evaluate and further develop systems and processes including: Developing a process for tracking prior authorizations and appeals. Evaluating Patient Assistance Program software for documentation and tracking applications, renewals and patient communication including developing an ROI, budget proposal and implementation plan. Developing prescription delivery services including cold chain management and tracking plan for prescription renewals with current pharmacy software. Assist in the selection of a third party delivery vendor. Develop processes for products with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Function as patient advocate in order to acquire medication for indigent patients.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures for the Specialty Pharmacy Program. Assist the Specialty Pharmacy team in the development of new policies and procedures and assure timely review and revision of procedures as the program expands. Assure that all program policies and procedures meet state and federal regulations. Provide education to providers, nurses and pharmacy staff when new policies and procedures are developed.
Finance:
• Maintain a data collection instrument for the specialty pharmacy program. Documents financial impact of program activities through increased prescription capture, medication assistance programs and co-pay assistance programs.
• Serve as point of reference for Patient Assistance audits in a timely manner and provide all necessary documentation; patient financial records, signed applications, original prescriptions, receipt of delivery and signed proof that the patient received medication.
• Identify and resolve problems in Patient Assistance and reimbursement and determine compliance for patients of the assigned clinics. Assure resolution of prescription reimbursement and patient assistance issues with patient, provider, third party payor and drug manufacturers to ensure patient access to prescribed medications. Explore all patient assistance and co-pay program options to minimize prescription write-off's.
Education:
• Serve as a subject matter expert for physicians, administrators, clinical staff, pharmacy staff, and third party payers for issues regarding specialty pharmacy reimbursement and Patient Assistance programs.
• Provide education of Specialty Pharmacy and Patient Assistance Programs to pharmacy, clinics, social workers and physicians. Assist in developing marketing materials for patients and clinic staff. Develop materials explaining mail order services including enrollment forms for patients. Make presentations to clinic staff describing services provided including education about medication assistance programs and medication reimbursement issues with specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Represent the UWMC Ambulatory Pharmacy to the different payors; attend seminars and stay updated on specialty pharmacy reimbursement and indigent care plan requirements. Regularly attend staff/clinic meetings regarding the Specialty pharmacy and Patient Assistance Program process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Follow UW Medicine security and confidentiality policies and procedures
• Maintain current professional standards and credentials through study materials and education to stay abreast with continuous changes in the health care industry.
DESIRED:
• Working knowledge of desktop computers, including proficiency with MS Office applications
• Highly-detailed organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service background
• Interest and aptitude for health-care and information technology
• Experience with patient assistance programs
• Bachelors degree in health care related or business field or 4-5 years experience as a pharmacy technician.
• Knowledge of third-party insurance billing practices, federal and state regulations with regard to billing and reimbursement, internal billing structure and billing procedures.
LEGAL REQUIREMENT: State of Washington Pharmacy Technician certification.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
UW Medicine is committed to being a drug-free workplace. We require a pre-employment drug screen. The use of marijuana for medical purposes accompanied by a prescription, even if permitted by state law, will not be considered acceptable for purposes of explaining a positive lab test result for marijuana.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.