Pharmacy Technician Specialist-Specialty Pharmacy, Full-time Days (rotating day shifts)

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas; performs prescription-related, unit dose-related, and sterile product-related functions; performs manufacturing procedures that have been documented in the Department records.Scheduling:Our specialty pharmacy department includes a variety of work areas for Pharmacy Technician Specialists, and primary work areas may change based on patient care and departmental needs. This is a fully onsite position, expected to regularly support both our fulfillment operations and call center areas within specialty pharmacy, with rotating day shift scheduling associated.Specialty Pharmacy Fulfillment Operations Responsibilities:Follows process of receiving, verifying, and stocking drugs, controlled substances, and suppliesPrints daily ABC invoices and pulls out any dropship or alternate D/C received; separates any controlled substance and have 222 printed to receive in CSMGenerates reports for cycle counting the stockroom and refrigerators, printing expiration reportOversees expiring medication processCollaborates with Procurement/Supply Chain to maintain appropriate inventory par levels/drug inventories; communicates inventory problems to leadership/ProcurementRectifies issues with receipt of orders, back orders, shipping errors, and incorrect pricingTakes appropriate and timely action on drug recalls; communicates key information to leadershipCoordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding changes to workflows, updates, backorder, and new drug information when/where appropriateMaintains purchasing records including invoices, purchase orders, catalogs, and historical recordsGenerates pick lists and labels as requiredForecast daily, weekly medication doses and supplies needed and communicates with Inventory TechnicianCommunicates with Inventory Technician any out-of-stock medicationsIdentify, research, and resolve issues and consumer complaintsPossess working knowledge of participating third-party payors and their requirementsEstablish and maintain open communication with pharmacy operations analysts regarding third-party billing issues and centralized procurement team regarding ordering and inventory mattersAssists with prescription audits as neededTroubleshoot and resolve billing rejections and subsequently rebill claims to appropriate carriers for all commercial, federal, and state insurance plansVerify and accurately update patient demographic information in appropriate system(s)Document patient’s insurance information in appropriate system(s)Refer and document any clinical questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health conditions requiring follow-up to a pharmacistUtilize case management and pharmacy software systems to schedule prescription refills and adjudicate claimsCoordinate prescription orders accurately and appropriately, including, but not limited to, “ready at” date, time, and shipping/delivery methodPerform point-of-sale functionsUnderstand and adhere to drug specific Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) requirement and identify what is needed for REMS fulfillment. Complete any REMS forms and authorizations required from the pharmacy. Print drug-specific medication guides to be dispensed with prescription when neededComplete prescription return-to-stock reports in a timely manner to meet compliance requirementsAccess, input, and retrieve information on pharmacy computer system to create labels for prescriptionsPossess thorough understanding of the processes and procedures for shipping patient’s medications and can independently resolve any complicationsSpend ≤ 5% of time on quality management of the programSpecialty Pharmacy Call Center Responsibilities:Coordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding changes to workflows, updates, backorder, and new drug information when/where appropriateDirectly enrolls eligible patients into manufacturer patient assistance co-pay programsIdentify, research, and resolve issues and consumer complaintsPossess working knowledge of participating third-party payors and their requirementsEstablish and maintain open communication with pharmacy operations analysts regarding third-party billing issues and centralized procurement team regarding ordering and inventory mattersAssists with prescription audits as neededEducate pharmacy staff regarding third-party billing policies and procedures as neededAnswers and triages patient, provider, and third-party calls to appropriate individuals adhering to phone scripts in a courteous and professional mannerContact payers for lost medication, replacement, or vacation overridesTroubleshoot and resolve billing rejections and subsequently rebill claims to appropriate carriers for all commercial, federal, and state insurance plansVerify and accurately update patient demographic information in appropriate system(s)Document patient’s insurance information in appropriate system(s)Refer and document any clinical questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health conditions requiring follow-up to a pharmacistUtilize case management and pharmacy software systems to schedule prescription refills and adjudicate claimsCoordinate prescription orders accurately and appropriately, including, but not limited to, “ready at” date, time, and shipping/delivery methodPossess thorough understanding of the processes and procedures for shipping patient’s medications and can independently resolve any complicationsSpend ≤ 5% of time on quality management of the programPharmacy Technician Specialist Core Job Description Responsibilities:Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician at advanced level.Leads performance improvement initiativesLiaison between pharmacy and other departmentsAssists with/coordinates pharmacy technician schedule, services, prioritizing assignments and workflow, and promoting situational decision making/problem solvingFosters a team environment by providing education and trainingMaintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testingParticipates in site meetings (i.e. Drug Shortage, huddles, staff meetings)Responsible for controlled substance receiving, reconciliation, discrepancy tracking, and investigationsPerforms minor repairs of ADS machinesParticipates in projects as assigned by managerHandles recalls, crash carts monitoring, and kitcheck orderingTroubleshootingRestocksPerforms Tech-Check-Tech (i.e. automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) runs/controlled substance in ADC; barcode scanned pills, pre-mixed IV bags)Other duties as assignedMinimum Requirements:Education:High School diploma or GED equivalentLicensure:Active Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)Pharmacy Technician licenses issued after 12/31/07 must have either CERTIFIED or STUDENT designation by their second license renew in accordance with Section 9 of the Illinois Pharmacy Practice ActLicensed Technicians prior to 1/1/2008 certification requirement must meet department skill levelCertification:Specialty Pharmacy: Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHAExperience: 1-2 years’ technician experiencePrevious experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or outpatient settingPhysical Demands:Excellent critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervisionPreferred:Minimum 5 years’ technician experienceNorthwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.