Specialty Pharmacist

Specialty Pharmacist provides education to patients, initial and ongoing assessments, monitors and documents progress and outcomes, supports adherence and therapy optimization, and coordinates care between providers, payers, and members of an interdisciplinary care team.

The Specialty Pharmacist participates in program management, meetings, the development of patient management programs and drug monographs, and assists in facilitating prior authorizations, insurance navigation, and financial assistance options to ensure access to therapy and support of accreditation and quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following description is a general representation of the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Evaluate and verify specialty prescriptions for clinical appropriateness, safety, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and accreditation standards to support the management of complex, chronic, and/or rare conditions. Accurately dispense specialty and non-specialty medications while supporting overall pharmacy workflow and timely patient access.
• Provide comprehensive education and counseling for patients and caregivers related to medication use, administration techniques (including injectables and specialty therapies), anticipated outcomes, potential side effects, and adherence strategies. Educate patients and caregivers in chronic disease self-management and specialty disease states as appropriate.
• Collaborate with medical providers and interdisciplinary care teams to develop, optimize, and monitor treatment plans, including laboratory review, assessment of therapy effectiveness, identification and management of adverse events, and delivery of evidence-based clinical recommendations.
• Conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments, including medication reconciliation, adherence monitoring, and follow-up care. Document all clinical activities, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record (EMR/EHR) to ensure continuity of care.
• Assist in population health and chronic disease management initiatives through the identification of care gaps, intervention adherence, progress monitoring, and through contributions to quality improvement programs and other accreditation requirements.
• Manage and coordinate medication access by supporting insurance-related processes including prior authorizations, benefits investigations, coordination with payers, identification and resolution of coverage barriers, appeals, and the facilitation of patient enrollment in financial assistance or co-pay support programs. Enroll patients in Specialty Pharmacy program as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and maintain patient management programs, drug monographs, and conduct reviews of current evident-based literature for specialty medications.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, inventory management, and distribution of specialty medications, including adherence to cold-chain requirements and coordination of medication delivery to support safe and timely patient access.
• Maintain accurate and complete pharmacy records to ensure continual compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and specialty accreditation standards (e.g., URAC, ACHC)
• Contribute to team-based care by supporting workflow efficiency, patient access, and a high standard of customer service.
• Precept and mentor students, interns, or residents as applicable, contributing to a collaborative and educational practice environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education an individual must possess to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.

Education, Licensure, Experience:

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from accredited college or university.
• Residency in Specialty Pharmacy or similar work experience strongly preferred.
• Current and unrestricted licensure as Pharmacist in the State of Ohio.
• Experience in Community Health Pharmacy preferred. Experience with specialty pharmacy accreditation strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledgeable of public health policy and practice, including a medical home model of care.
• Clinical understanding of specialty disease states and medications.
• Knowledge of insurance processes, prior authorizations, and specialty pharmacy workflows.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Able to establish trust and rapport through empathy, reliability, and consistency, especially with patients of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Computer proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, EPIC EMR/EHR, and various Pharmacy specific applications.
• Able to speak a language other than English fluently preferred.

Essential Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including through the use of Electronic Communication Devices.
• Able to sit, stand, bend, walk, and stoop for extended periods of time. Occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs.
• Able to travel locally. Driver’s License and Automobile insurance strongly preferred.

The physical demands and work environment described above represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.