Patient Access Specialist

Patient Access Specialist

The Patient Access Specialist serves as the primary connection between patients, healthcare providers, and Premier Community HealthCare's in-house pharmacy. This position is responsible for ensuring eligible patients have seamless access to prescribed medications by coordinating services from prescription initiation through medication pickup or delivery.

The Patient Access Specialist helps remove barriers to care by assisting patients with medication affordability, insurance navigation, prior authorizations, and patient assistance programs. Working collaboratively with providers and pharmacy staff, this role supports medication adherence, enhances the patient experience, and promotes utilization of Premier's pharmacy services while advancing the organization's mission to improve the health of the communities it serves.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between providers and the in-house pharmacy to ensure timely communication, prescription coordination, and continuity of patient care.
• Identify, enroll, and retain eligible patients in Premier's in-house pharmacy services to improve medication access and continuity of care.
• Guide patients throughout the medication process, from prescription referral through pickup or delivery, ensuring no patient is lost to follow-up.
• Assess patient needs and recommend the most appropriate pharmacy and financial assistance solutions to improve medication affordability.
• Assist patients with prior authorizations, insurance formulary requirements, manufacturer assistance programs, copay assistance, and medication access resources.
• Promote Premier's in-house pharmacy services to patients and providers while supporting patient acquisition and pharmacy growth initiatives.
• Maintain a working knowledge of pharmacy operations, including prescription intake, processing, fulfillment, and medication distribution.
• Utilize Epic and pharmacy management systems to accurately document referrals, monitor prescription status, and coordinate patient care.
• Assist with prescription processing and pharmacy technician responsibilities when needed to support patient care and pharmacy operations.
• Maintain strict HIPAA compliance and protect patient confidentiality at all times.
• Communicate issues affecting prescription turnaround times, medication access, or patient care to pharmacy leadership and providers.
• Participate in Quality Improvement (QI) and Quality Assurance (QA) initiatives to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
• Support Premier's mission through community outreach and patient education initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of pharmacy operations, prescription workflow, and medication fulfillment processes.
• Working knowledge of medication assistance programs, manufacturer free-drug programs, prior authorization processes, insurance benefits, and formulary requirements.
• Proficiency using Epic Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and pharmacy management software.
• Ability to assess patient needs and identify solutions that improve medication access and affordability.
• Strong relationship-building and consultative skills to effectively collaborate with patients, providers, pharmacists, and healthcare teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple referrals while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to safely handle medications while adhering to pharmacy regulations, privacy standards, and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Exceptional customer service skills with empathy and compassion for diverse patient populations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent grammar, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to Premier Community HealthCare's mission, vision, and core values.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree or completion of an accredited Pharmacy Technician training program preferred.
• Current Florida Registered Pharmacy Technician license required.
• Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB – CPhT) required.
• Minimum one (1) to two (2) years of experience in a pharmacy, patient access, medication access, or healthcare customer service environment.
• Working knowledge of prior authorization processes and medication/patient assistance programs.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Epic certification and complete annual compliance requirements.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 20 lbs. regularly and 30–50 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to sit for extended periods.
• Direct exposure to computer screens.
• Possible exposure to contagious or infectious diseases.
• Ability to stand at the pharmacy counter and move throughout the pharmacy and clinic to support patient care and prescription fulfillment.
• Ability to travel between Premier Community HealthCare locations as needed for coverage, meetings, or operational support.