Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Technician II

Job Description 

Title: Pharmacy Technician II            Reports To: Pharmacy Technician and Prior Authorization Manager

              Department: Woonsocket Medical                   Job Grade:  5

                Employment Status: Exempt                         Date: March 2024

General Responsibilities:

The Pharmacy Technician II works collaboratively as part of the interprofessional clinical care team which includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nurse care managers, behavioral health providers, a clinical pharmacist, and other clinical staff.  The Pharmacy Technician II works independently in a remote/office setting under the direct supervision of the clinical pharmacist and Pharmacy technician & prior authorization manager to determine the appropriateness of prescription refill requests using the electronic medical record, and will then authorize appropriate requests from pharmacies using our protocol and provider preferences. The Pharmacy Technician II will also assist other support staff in completing prior authorization requests on behalf of the providers at Thundermist Health Center. The Pharmacy Technician II will act as a liaison between providers and insurance companies and pharmacies to ensure our patients receive their medications in a timely manner at their respective pharmacies.      

Required Qualifications:

• Licensed by the state of Rhode Island as a Pharmacy Technician II. 
  • Have passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Institute for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians “ExCPT” examination

• Maintain certification with PTCB or EXCPT in order to renew license (complete CEs etc.)

• Minimum 3 years as a pharmacy technician II strongly preferred. 
• Previous involvement in prior authorization management and medication refill requests
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Extensive knowledge of the refill renewal process and of insurance company prior authorization processes (from a pharmacy perspective)

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology and prescription sig codes

• Basic understanding of what common medications for (heart, blood pressure, mood, etc.)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience communicating with providers is strongly preferred

• Proficiency in using database information systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Previous experience with electronic medical records, especially eClinicalWorks, preferred but not required.

Primary Contacts:

Physical Effort/Environment:

Moderate physical activity: walking, standing, and stooping. If on site, potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, respiratory diseases and other infectious diseases, and other biohazards material requiring universal standard precautions for medical practitioners. If on site, clinical environment in ambulatory settings.

Work Schedule Demands:

Full time (40) hours per week, unless part time status is agreed upon by administration.

Communication Skills:

Exceptional oral and written skills needed. Proficient in all applicable medical terminology. Bilingual capacity in Spanish or Laotian is a plus. Good interpersonal skills are needed.

Confidentiality of Information:

Access to medical records

Significant Job Functions:

• Duties include reviewing and authorizing medication refill requests from patients and pharmacies utilizing the electronic health record.

• The Pharmacy Technician II will be responsible for completing the medication prior authorization process for Thundermist Health Center providers once the refill process is established.

• The Pharmacy Technician II will provide services at all Thundermist Primary Care locations across Rhode Island.  

• Assists providers with questions about the medication refill and prior authorization processes  

• Contacts patients by phone when necessary

• Additional responsibilities may also involve interacting with University of Rhode Island PharmD students and teaching them about the medication refill processes.

Non Exertion Work Functions

• Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment, discretion and the initiative to facilitate change  

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities and interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.  

• Excellent organizational skills, diplomacy, and professionalism.  

• Displays excellent judgment and decision making skills.
• Displays excellent customer service skills.

• Displays professionalism at all times.

• Displays excellent communication skills and is able to interact well with a diverse population of patients, physicians and other staff members.

• Displays ability to work in a team environment.

• Follows all policies and procedures.

• May be required to travel to other offices as needed and possible evenings/weekends.

• Other responsibilities as determined by the scope of the practice.