• Job Description

  Req#: R1019750
  Pay range: $26.95 - $33.69

  ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

  JOB DESCRIPTION

  TITLE: Specialty Medication Access Pharmacy Technician

  REPORTS TO POSITION: Ambulatory Care Pharmacist Manager

  DEPARTMENT: Pharmacy

  DATE LAST REVIEWED: April 2025

  OUR VISION: Creating America’s healthiest community, together

  OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

  OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

  DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The St. Charles Health System Pharmacy provides a broad range of inpatient and outpatient pharmaceutical care services to ensure safe and effective medication use.

  POSITION OVERVIEW: The Specialty Medication Access Pharmacy Technician is responsible for gathering information from the patient, medical team, medical records, and other sources as required to successfully complete medication prior authorizations and/or medication assistance applications for patients being treated within St. Charles Specialty Care Clinics. Reducing barriers, improving medication compliance, and ensuring all required paperwork is completed in a timely manner to reduce gaps in care, are all responsibilities of this position. The Pharmacy Technician may also provide additional support to ambulatory care pharmacy operations.

  This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

  Gathers all required information for submission of patient assistance applications across St. Charles Specialty Care Clinics.

  Aids providers, care team, and/or ambulatory care pharmacists in identifying patient assistance programs or alternative cost saving methods of obtaining medications for improved patient medication adherence.

  Requests information from insurance companies and pharmacies on behalf of prescribers regarding possible alternative therapies, provides patients with timely status communications.

  Conveys professional communication with providers both orally and written. Ensures proper communication and documentation of each action taken within EHR utilizing appropriate templates within Epic.

  Assists prior authorization (PA) department by receiving pharmacy PA requests and assesses if alternative medications with similar/appropriate efficacy are available to circumvent PA process.

  Confirms patient participation in health plan and obtains accurate benefit coverage.

  Communicates appropriate provider and facility information to health plan as part of the prior authorization process.

  Notifies health plans and gains financial clearance for plans for patients to undergo a course of care requiring prior authorization.

  Utilizes internal and external systems to appropriately request and coordinate prior authorization for patient care.

  Tracks, updates, and investigates current orders and tasks, managing orders through the system to provide up to date and accurate information.

  Obtains pertinent documentation from provider, facility, and patient to ensure accurate prior authorization and patient assistance requests.

  Effectively communicates with providers, care team members, and patients regarding authorizations, scheduling needs, insurance benefits etc.

  Assists with patient education and follow up regarding the prior authorization.

  Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

  Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

  Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

  Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

  May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

  EDUCATION:

  Required: High School diploma or GED.

  Preferred: N/A

  LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

  Required: Pharmacy Technician license through the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. Valid Oregon driver's license and ability to meet SCHS driving requirements. Ability to travel to business functions/trainings/meetings and all SCHS worksites.

  Preferred: Certified Pharmacy Technician license (CPhT) through the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

  EXPERIENCE:

  Required: Minimum three (3) years as a Pharmacy Technician.

  Preferred: Two (2) years related experience in billing, insurance benefits, and prescription refill coordination. Experience using EPIC, an electronic health record. Experience working in a Joint Commission Accredited health care facility, and/or an ambulatory care facility designated as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.

  PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

  Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

  ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

  Desired Skills:

  • Self-motivated

  • Organized

  • Independent and critical thinker

  • Team and goal oriented

  • Demonstrates customer service and timely completion of projects

  • Schedules time effectively and prioritizes work appropriately

  • Understands medical terminology

  • Excellent oral and written communication

  • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including maintaining a good relationship between retail pharmacies and clinical staff.

  • Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, team environment.

  • Ability to use good judgement in responding to questions from nurses, providers, and other clinical personnel.

  • Ability to self-motivate and work with minimal supervision yet be able to recognize when it is appropriate to seek assistance.

  • Ability to deliver and model excellent customer service.

  • In depth knowledge of brand and generic medication names. Clear understanding of drug classes and possible indication of use.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  Continually (75% or more): Sitting, standing and walking, keyboard operation. Use of clear and audible speaking voice and ability to hear normal speech level.

  Frequently (50%):

  Occasionally (25%): Bending, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing, operation of a motor vehicle, whispered speech level.

  Rarely (10%): Stooping/kneeling/crouching, reaching overhead, pushing, carrying, or pulling 11-25lbs.

  Rarely (10%): Heat, cold, wet/slippery area.

  Never (0%): Noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface, climbing ladder/stepstool, lifting or carrying 25-50 pounds

  Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

  Risk for Exposure to BBP

  Schedule Weekly Hours:

  40

  Caregiver Type:

  Regular

  Shift:

  First Shift (United States of America)

  Is Exempt Position?

  No

  Job Family:

  TECHNICIAN PHARMACY

  Scheduled Days of the Week:

  Monday-Friday

  Shift Start & End Time:

• About the company

  St. Charles Health System, Inc.

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