Pharmacy Technician

Department

BSD MED - Infectious Diseases - Chicago Center HIV Elimination - Health Care

About the Department

The Chicago Center of HIV Elimination, embedded within the University of Chicago's main campus in Hyde Park, is located in Chicago's HIV epicenter. Of the 20 neighborhoods in the city with high annual HIV diagnosis rates (greater than 40 per 100,000), 13 of them are no more than eight miles from the University of Chicago. This area includes 4 of the 6 communities with the highest annual diagnosis rates in the city (Washington Park, West Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing and South Shore). Our position within the hardest hit neighborhoods in Chicago provides unique opportunities to advance HIV testing and prevention interventions locally, providing tangible results to those most affected and to improve the lives of those living with and without HIV infection.

CCHE seeks to eliminate new HIV transmission events over the next 30 years (from 2011 to 2041) by using network science to target and integrate prevention as well as create structural and community-specific interventions.

Job Summary

Under direct supervision of the Director of HIV Clinical Engagement. the pharmacy technician will function as the contact for prescription refills; obtain prior authorizations for prescriptions; process medication deliveries; assist with coordination of injectable antiretroviral (ARVs); facilitate injectable medication visit reminders, outreach, and surveillance of patients currently on injectable ARVs to ensure on-time injections; assist with data monitoring; coordinate and facilitate medications orders, deliveries, administrations, and inventory; interact with providers, patients, pharmacies, and insurance companies regarding medication access.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate medication deliveries to clinic and direct deliveries to patients’ homes.

• Support clinical team by facilitating urgent medication refills.

• Initiate, submit, and follow up on prior authorization requests, patient assistance programs for medications for clinic patients, and conduct resubmissions if necessary.

• Manage injectable medication inventory per protocol.

• Complete prior authorizations for injectable ARVs.

• Assist with injectable ARV related medication deliveries in the community (for onsite RN administration).

• Communicate with patients and clinical teams about upcoming appointments and facilitate issues as they arise.

• Communicate with specialty pharmacies and coordinate delivery and inventory.

• Update records of patients receiving injectable medications in clinic and in the community.

• Data entry/monitoring for patients on injectable ARVs.

• Manage patient registry of individuals on injectable ARVS in including reporting to HIV prevention and care team (PACT) once monthly on patient status. 

• Process and route incoming prescription refill requests to medical providers utilizing electronic medical record system (Epic).

• Call in authorized prescriptions for unsuccessful submissions of prescriptions.

• Facilitate medication and prescription issues with patient pharmacies.

• Initiate, submit, and follow up on prior authorization requests patient assistance programs for medications for clinic patients, and conduct resubmissions if necessary.

• Communicate status of prescriptions to medical providers and patients.

• Communicate status of prior authorization to patients, providers, and pharmacies.

• Investigate status of prescriptions for patients and troubleshoots issues with pharmacies. Escalate issues to Clinical Pharmacist as appropriate.

• Participate in research study meetings and facilitate conduct of research-related activities.

• Documentation for study encounters with clients and participant recruitment.

• Assists with and performs various administrative and operational tasks as assigned under direct supervision.

• Supports quality assurance reviews conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Pharmacy technician experience.

• Experience in healthcare setting.

Licenses and Certifications:

• License or eligibility for licensure as Registered Pharmacy Technician by the State of Illinois.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, Access and Word.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Chicago social service resources.

• Strong knowledge of program subject matter.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to manage stressful situations.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple, competing demands.

• Ability to provide HIV/STI treatment, education, and prevention in non-traditional settings.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work some evenings.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$19.23 - $24.04

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.