Medication Access Technician

Overview

Medication Access Technician, Pharmacotherapy Clinic

Full-time, 80 hours per pay period, day shift.

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, it provides leading-edge treatment for stroke recovery and 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.”

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. The role focuses on 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 for pharmacy and medical benefits.
• Help identify and coordinate medication access solutions, including grants and patient assistance programs.
• Communicate prior authorization and patient assistance program status, next steps, and timelines to patients and care teams.
• Work with Pharmacotherapy Clinic, Specialty Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Infusion Services, Physician Clinics, and other stakeholders to support pharmaceutical care access.
• Use pharmacy systems, electronic medical records, and drug information resources to resolve workflow and coverage issues.
• Monitor patient adherence to prescribed medications and identify barriers to adherence.
• Assist with copay assistance through manufacturer, charity, or other programs.
• Support high-risk or escalated prior authorizations under supervision and escalate denials or urgent access barriers as needed.
• Serve as a consultant to healthcare providers on medication-access-related issues.
• Assist with coordination of care and enrollment of specialty pharmacy patients into medication management programs.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, physicians, clinicians, and external partners.
• Follow policies, procedures, safety standards, and required annual education.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.