Medication Access Pharmacist

The Department of Pharmaceutical Services provides a full range of services for patients cared for by the Medical Center at UCSF and its providers and payors. These services include, but are not limited to: drug procurement, storage, and security; safe, accurate and timely preparation and distribution of drugs; clinical pharmacy services for patients; development of drug use policies within the Medical Center; drug information services for clinicians and patients; and participation in technology assessment and quality assurance programs. The Department of Pharmaceutical Services is affiliated with the UCSF Department of Clinical Pharmacy, an academic department within the School of Pharmacy, which has primary responsibility for teaching professional courses in the Pharm.D. curriculum, clinical research, and public and clinical service.

Under the Department of Pharmaceutical Services, the Medication Access Pharmacist II provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UCSF Health System. They may also be asked to participate in pharmaceutical care in other sectors of the Department of Pharmaceutical Services as needed. The Medication Access Pharmacist II performs a wide range of pharmaceutical care functions to ensure that drugs prescribed for and used by patients are accessible, safe, and effective. These include, for example, obtaining medication histories, reviewing and assessing medication profiles, providing drug information to patients and health care providers, collaborating with clinicians on drugs of choice and therapeutic plans, ensuring access to medications, educating patients on the proper use of medications, and ensuring that patients understand cautions, adverse reactions, and interactions related to their therapy. The Medication Access Pharmacist II will be part of an interprofessional team consisting of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacy technicians and other professionals. The Medication Access Pharmacist II will be based primarily in the ambulatory setting, managing medication access responsibilities including prior authorizations, appeals and medication refills. Depending on the assigned shift and site, the Medication Access Pharmacist II will oversee pharmacy technicians to facilitate insurance authorizations for medications, financial assistance and medication refills. The Medication Access Pharmacist II may also be responsible for the oversight of clinical activities and delivery of services.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

% of time Essential Function (Yes/No) Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)

35% Yes Medication Access Facilitation- Prior Auth, Appeals and Financial Assistance * Oversees pharmacy technicians in the Prior Authorization (PA) and Financial Assistance (FA) process * Performs medication benefits investigation and accurately submits appeals (or PAs when applicable) to insurance manually, electronically, or telephonically as necessary * Notifies the patient and documents the status of Appeals in APeX

* Follows up with health insurance payors that don't respond to submitted Appeal requests * Works with providers for any denials and peer to peer needs *

35% Yes Medication Refill Authorization * Receives and processes refill requests from clinic personnel, a pharmacy or patients * Using a refill protocol, evaluates refill requests for adherence to the refill protocol criteria; this involves reviewing APeX and contacting a patient * Notifies providers of specific refill criteria that are not met after assessment * Notates the need for a provider appointment or other reason to not approve a refill request, where applicable * Discusses recommendations and other pertinent information with provider if necessary * Conducts a search for any lab test(s) that is needed to fulfill the refill criteria and analyzes EMR for any needed lab test(s) and notates this need; if needed, inform patients about needed labs * Sign medication order or request for provider appointment based on pharmacist judgment via APeX * Properly documents each refill request in the patient's chart

20% Yes Other Patient Care Activities * Provide safe and effective patient-centered care by actively designing, implementing, and monitoring patient-specific therapeutic plans if applicable o Evaluate patients for therapeutic outcomes and side effects of medications. o When appropriate, develop and implement an alternate therapeutic plan. o Consult with other healthcare team members to facilitate a change in the therapeutic plan, optimize medication therapies, and ensure continuity of care/medication access. o Provide appropriate follow-up care to ensure therapeutic goals are achieved. * Provide in-depth and patient-specific medication education to patients and their caregivers, where appropriate, with the objective of improving adherence, optimizing drug therapy response, and minimizing adverse drug events. * Respond to patient inquiries regarding medication therapy and relevant health issues. * Document care provided in the medical record (e.g., progress notes or other appropriate sections) and other appropriate platforms. * Communicate relevant therapeutic information to other healthcare providers in a timely manner to coordinate medication therapy

5% Yes Advancing Practice * Effectively perform assigned administrative functions (e.g., medication error reports, adverse drug reaction reports, special projects, etc.) * Effectively perform and participate in medication-related reports and projects (e.g., drug monographs, medication use evaluations, quality improvement projects, formulary evaluation in area of oversight, etc.) * Participate in and occasionally chair patient care, quality improvement, or Pharmacy and Therapeutics-related committees. * Participate in clinical research. * Keep up to date on protocols/policies, pharmacy practice standards, healthcare delivery trends, reimbursement systems, and emerging roles and responsibilities of pharmacists as they pertain to the area of specialty.

5% Yes Training and Educational Activities * Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy learners (e.g., students and residents). Facilitate learner experiences that ensure professional growth and competency development. Evaluate and provide on-going feedback. * Maintain the qualifications necessary to maintain preceptor status. * Provide effective medication-related and other relevant education to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, learners, and the public (individuals and groups). * Complete all required trainings in a timely fashion

Other duties as assigned.

100%

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Must have graduated from an accredited school of pharmacy and possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) or equivalent degree as determined by the National Board of Pharmacy. For graduates in a non-US country or jurisdiction, pharmacists must have earned a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification as determined by the National Board of Pharmacy.

* 2 years of experience as a Pharmacist in a health system or health care, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

* Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency, or at least 3 years of equivalent experience in ambulatory services (e.g., clinics, outpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacy).

* Experience with medication access processes (e.g., in health systems, managed care or health plans)

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

* Must possess a current license in good standing to practice pharmacy in the State of California.

* Current certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Must have graduated from an accredited school of pharmacy and possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) or equivalent degree as determined by the National Board of Pharmacy. For graduates in a non-US country or jurisdiction, pharmacists must have earned a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification as determined by the National Board of Pharmacy.

* 2 years of experience as a Pharmacist in a health system or health care, or equivalent combination of experience and education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

* Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency, or at least 3 years of equivalent experience in ambulatory services (e.g., clinics, outpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacy).

* Experience with medication access processes (e.g., in health systems, managed care or health plans)

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

* Must possess a current license in good standing to practice pharmacy in the State of California.

* Current certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.