Medication Access Technician

Overview

Medication Access Technician, Pharmacotherapy Clinic

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a 444-bed hospital recognized for pairing clinical expertise with advanced medical technology to deliver exceptional care. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, we provide leading-edge treatment for stroke recovery. Our facility also offers specialized services in bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, and advanced orthopedic care.

Fort Sanders Regional is part of Covenant Health, East Tennessee’s largest nonprofit health system and a Becker’s “Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare.” Covenant Health includes nine hospitals and nearly 150 service locations, offering employees a comprehensive benefits package with tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, certification bonuses, and leadership development programs.

Position Summary:

The Medication Access Technician provides foundational pharmacy support under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient medication access. This role focuses on developing proficiency in medical terminology, ICD-10 diagnosis coding, specialty medications, and prior authorization processes. The technician collaborates with pharmacists and senior team members to support pharmacy operations and improve patient access to medications.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily prior authorization activities, including submission, tracking, and follow-up. Includes both pharmacy and medical benefits submissions.
• Assist in identifying and coordinating medication access solutions, including grants and patient assistance programs. Programs range form internal program within Covenant Health to manufacturer, governmental, and other organization grant programs.
• Communicate PA/PAP status, next steps, and expected timelines to patient and interdisciplinary team members. Collaborate between Pharmacotherapy Clinic, Specialty Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Infusion Services, Physician Clinics, and other stakeholders to ensure pharmaceutical care access.
• Utilize pharmacy systems, electronic medical records (EMR), and drug information resources to resolve workflow and coverage issues.
• Monitor patient adherence to prescribed medications, identify barriers to adherence, and assist in developing strategies to improve compliance. Refer appropriate patients to financial counseling for copay assistance through manufacturer or charity programs.
• Support management of high-risk or escalated prior authorizations under supervision. Escalate denials, complex cases, or urgent access barriers according to established protocols.
• Serve as a consultant to healthcare providers on medication-access-related issues. Assist in coordination of care at Pharmacotherapy clinic and enrollment of specialty pharmacy patients into medication management programs by assisting with recruitment of patients in clinic.
• Communicate and represent pharmacy effectively throughout all levels of the organization internally and to all external partners. Communicate with physicians and other clinicians as necessary to facilitate exemplary service for new and existing pharmacy patients.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:         

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a college degree or certificate in a directly related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:         

One (1) to three (3) years of experience in pharmacy setting. Experience in ambulatory/specialty pharmacy practice preferred. Specialty disease state experience preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with patients and interdisciplinary teams. Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) and clinical documentation systems.

Licensure Requirement:      

Must be licensed by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Nationally recognized Pharmacy board certification required.