Special Handling Specialist, Pharmacy Technician

Job Description

Job Description

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Special Handling Specialist to join our award-winning specialty pharmacy team. 

 

About Ardon Health

At Ardon, we are passionate about our mission to inspire people and improve lives through the delivery of high-quality, compassionate healthcare services. Our innovative work environment in Portland, Oregon, centers around uplifting collaboration with our employees as we care for patients. Our commitment to cultivating talent and fostering growth within our organization keeps Ardon ranked among the top 100 companies to work for in Oregon.
*Recognized as a Top Workplace by the Oregonian in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024*

 

Our specialty pharmacy

Our state-of-the-art specialty pharmacy provides medications that are often used to treat complex or rare conditions. We deliver services to enhance the patient’s experience within the comfort of their home. We remove barriers to care and provide patients with the education, clinical care and supportive services they need on their treatment journey. We work to build trusted relationships and to be a resource where patients can turn for help.

 

What it’s like to work with our team

Our progressive work environment embodies the notion that life is meant to be shared and lived well, through hard work, compassion, and camaraderie. Together, we enjoy team meals and celebrate events and company milestones. Employees like to relax in our lounge equipped with amenities that promote wellness and fun. We volunteer to support patient advocacy organizations within our community. Our employee-run DEI Group is dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
To learn more about our team and what we do, watch our video at .

 

Join us!

Do you want a dynamic career opportunity where you can make a difference? Explore the potential of your pharmacy experience in an elevated role.

We are recruiting a  Special Handling Specialist to join our team of health care professionals. As a Special Handling Specialist, you will provide exceptional customer service to specialty pharmacy programs and patients by responding to telephone calls and providing outreach. Special Handling Specialists will be experts in all aspects of manufacturer special programs, claims processing, benefits investigation, copay assistance programs, as well as liaison between third party providers, patients, HUBs, manufacturers, and medical providers. Assists team with troubleshooting and resolution of escalated inquiries. Maintains current knowledge of all manufacturer programs and compliance requirements.

Job type: Full-time

Pay Range : $25.08 - $31.35 hourly, depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Flexible PTO and paid company holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance 
• 401(k) match

Position responsibilities:

1. Electronically submits prescription insurance claims and completes benefits investigations.
2. Acts as liaison between company, patients, physician’s office, manufacturer, HUBs, and third-party payers
3. Responsible for reviewing new prescriptions and making sure all necessary information including insurance verification is available to process orders.
4. Explains all company programs and services to patients and physician’s office staff.
5. Communicates with patients as needed based on prescription refills and refers any medication or illness related questions or concerns to a board licensed healthcare professional, including but not limited to nurses, pharmacists, and supervised pharmacy interns.
6. Responsible for scheduling prescription refills utilizing the pharmacy software.
7. Maintains documentation of calls to and from patients.
8. Contacts patients to schedule deliveries, confirm addresses, inform of any co-payments involved, and notify of payment responsibilities.
9. Communicates patient status to physician’s offices, clinics, HUBs, and manufacturers.
10. Maintains patient confidentiality.
11. Utilizes operating systems and tools to help manage patient therapy and refill compliance.
12. Processes and follows up on payer denials, consulting with the insurance plan and patient as needed.
13. Acts as a resource to the call center to troubleshoot issues and inquiries for manufacturer programs.
14. Manages documentation and tasks associated with program specific mailers including letters and educational materials.
15. Communicates with patients and clients regarding service requests.
16. Initiates timely, accurate, courteous, and concise responses to escalated inquiries.
17. Partners with manufacturer/HUB to ensure streamlined communication and minimize service interruptions.
18. Assists with ADE reporting when needed.
19. Monitors and reports to supervisor and team any changes in manufacturer program rules that impact specialty pharmacy program adherence.
20. Supports duties of resource team, call center, Billing Specialist, and Benefits Coordinator when needed.
21. Resolves complex issues and concerns for dedicated accounts, and provides educational information to clients, business, and channel partners. 
22. Works with HUB for limited distribution drug referrals.
23. Assists with technical training and serves as point of contact for testing new processes; aids in developing procedures and job aids as needed.
24. Participates in and assists with manufacturer program implementation.
25. Manages manufacturer and payer program reporting when applicable.   
26. Actively participates and provides support as needed to leadership and quality program staff to ensure activities related to the company’s quality management program and quality improvement activities maintain priority focus and are effectively executed. This may include but is not limited to activities that promote objective and systematic measurement, monitoring, and evaluation of services and defined Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) that may result from such efforts.
27. Complies with the company’s Human Resources policies, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and all department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company, employee, and customer information; attending work punctually and regularly; and adhering to good safety practices in all activities.
28. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required skills:

1. High school diploma or GED
2. Active Oregon Pharmacy Technician License. 
   
    

Our ideal candidate has:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a team setting.
• Proficiency in standard workplace software and/or information management applications.
• Prior experience working in a pharmacy or healthcare setting.
• Ability to navigate computer applications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• 2 years’ work experience in a pharmacy setting, including 1 year of experience working in specialty pharmacy, desired

Ardon Health seeks to allow equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, sexual identification or orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by law.