Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Infusion Patient Access - Full-Time Days

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, University of Chicago Medicine, as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist for the Infusion Patient Access team. As a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist on this team, you will assume responsibility for the provision of safe, effective and prompt medication therapy for our infusion suites located in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana areas. This position will focus on our oncology patient populations with potential for cross-coverage of our autoimmune disease patient population and claim denials assistance. This department remotely supports outpatient infusion care to adult and pediatric patients. 

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $5,000

Job Summary

Through various assignments within the department, outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialists provide support of decentralized areas as well as deliver optimal medication therapy to patients with a broad range of disease states.  This job focuses on the outpatient management of oncology infusion/injectable patients. Duties include but are not limited to: precertification clinical assistance, insurance preferred product and medical necessity reviews, care coordination with nurse navigators, oversight of our ambulatory medication access coordinators/assistance with any clinical questions for free drug or copay programs, prior authorization or claim denial peer-to-peers and appeals, referrals to financial assistance/Medicaid enrollment team, site of care transitions and PBM overrides. Pharmaceutical care services include but are not limited to assessing patient needs, incorporating age and disease specific characteristics into drug therapy, patient education, adjusting care according to patient response, and providing clinical interventions to detect, mitigate, and prevent medication adverse events. Clinical Pharmacist Specialists serve as departmental resources and liaisons to other departments, hospital personnel, or external groups. They proficiently manage and facilitate the appropriate use of medications according to professional and regulatory standards. They also conduct clinical research or practice advancement projects as well as patient care quality and regulatory compliance initiatives designed to improve medication-use processes or pharmacy practice. Clinical Pharmacist Specialists provide medication and practice-related education/training and actively serve as preceptors for doctor of pharmacy students and pharmacy residents. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Supports patient access efforts for outpatient medications given within infusion and clinic spaces 

• Stays in communication with the care team to provide updates on any treatment barriers or delays

• Provides guidance to ambulatory medication access coordinators for free drug program enrollments and prescription benefit restricted medications

• Leads assigned patient service lines and clinical areas

• Facilitates experiential education and practice advancements 

• Participates in at least one quality improvement or research project per fiscal year 

• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications 

• Graduate of an ACPE accredited School of Pharmacy

• Knowledge of contemporary hospital/clinical practice and service.

• Knowledge and understanding of general hospital operations and regulatory compliance.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to interact constructively with supervisors, peers, and support personnel.

• Ability to integrate clinical and distributive pharmacy services with quality improvement, teaching, research, and professional development activities.

• Significant general clinical knowledge and expertise in traditional therapeutics and patient centered care.

• Significant knowledge and expertise in advanced pharmacy practice, medication therapy management, and evidence-based medicine in area appropriate for clinical assignments.

• Strong teaching and precepting skills and expertise in experiential training.

• Eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in the state of Illinois or eligible (complete licensure process within 60 days of employment). Additional Indiana licensure will now be required within 180 days of employment. 

• Board Certification in area of expertise is required within 18 months of hire (ie. BCPS, BCOP, BCACP, etc.).

• Completion of ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency

Preferred Qualifications 

• Doctorate of Pharmacy preferred.

• Clinical pharmacy experience (2-4 years) in a hospital or ambulatory care setting preferred 

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full Time (1.00)

• Shift: Day 7:30 am-4 pm (8 hour shift is flexible but must be consistent timeframe and occur between day hours of 0700-1700)

• Unit/Department: Pharmacy (Rotational – position is remote but you are required to live locally and come on site for mandated days)

• CBA Code: Non-Union