Ambulatory Medication Access Coordinator – Pharmacy Tech, Burr Ridge

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system at UChicago Medicine as an Ambulatory Medication Access Coordinator in the Population Health Pharmacy Services at Burr Ridge. In this role you will be responsible for supporting value-based care metrics by performing telephonic medication adherence outreach to patients. The Population Health Pharmacy Technician will be an integral part of our interdisciplinary care team, responsible for assisting with activities and initiatives designed to promote appropriate, evidence-based medication utilization in a population health setting. This role specifically supports value-based care (VBC) contracts by focusing on improving patient outcomes, enhancing medication adherence, and closing gaps in care to ensure successful drug therapy outcomes and cost efficiency. The technician will work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to support a defined patient population.

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $3,000 

In this role, the Ambulatory Medication Access Coordinator, or AMAC, performs necessary functions to ensure optimal reimbursement for high cost, take home medications for patients receiving care in UCMC ambulatory clinics. Other areas of responsibility include pre-screening patients for viable payment sources, managing reimbursement issues associated with high-cost take-home medications, identifying opportunities for improving reimbursement from payers, compiling reports for contract optimization, completing the necessary paperwork for prior authorizations, and conducting retrospective utilization reviews on cases of payment denials or insufficient reimbursement.

Essential Job Functions:

• Patient Outreach & Engagement: Conduct proactive telephonic or electronic outreach to patients identified as having medication-related gaps in care (e.g., non-adherence for chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension) to assess barriers.
• Data Management & Reporting: Screen patient profiles in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and population health reports to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from clinical pharmacy intervention. Track and document all interventions, communications, and outcomes in the appropriate database to support quality metrics and reporting requirements for VBC contracts.
• Medication Access & Coordination: Assist patients in overcoming medication access barriers, including running test claims to verify insurance coverage, processing prior authorizations, and coordinating with local pharmacies and providers to ensure seamless medication delivery and pickup.
• Medication Reconciliation Support: Obtain and verify accurate patient medication histories (drug, dose, route, frequency, indications, allergies) during transitions of care (e.g., hospital discharge, new patient intake) and document this information for pharmacist review.
• Care Team Collaboration: Collaborate with pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and payers to reduce treatment gaps and address healthcare concerns, effectively coordinating prescribed care across multiple stakeholders.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in quality improvement projects and team meetings focused on enhancing population health outcomes and promoting preventive care initiatives.
• Performs other duties as requested by senior management

Required Qualifications: 

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree
• Current or Eligibility for Illinois Pharmacy Technician Licensure
• 3 to 5 years of pharmacy technician experience in a retail pharmacy (Exceptional aptitude or knowledge may be considered in lieu of experience.)
• Knowledge of and ability to use computers and a variety of computer programs including word processing, database management and spreadsheets
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to effectively manage conflicts and resolve problems
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to effect collaborative alliances, promote teamwork and ensure a high degree of internal and external customer satisfaction
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment with multiple priorities
• Knowledge of and ability to perform insurance carrier/managed care review 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of medication reimbursement preferred
• Knowledge of healthcare/prescription insurance billing, prior authorization, coding preferred

Position Details:

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0 FTE) Hybrid
• Shift: 9am-5:30pm
• Unit/Department: Outpatient Pharmacy  
• CBA Code: Non-Union

In this role, we anticipate that you will be scheduled to work the day shift, you will approximately work 8am -4:30pm or 9am-5:30pm and will not be scheduled for on-call shifts.  We anticipate you will work a hybrid schedule, with onsite shifts at the Burr Ridge location after 90 days 

We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, UChicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

UChicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: UChicago Medicine Career Opportunities

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

As a condition of employment, all employees are required to complete a pre-employment physical, background check, drug screening, and comply with the flu vaccination requirements prior to hire. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered for flu vaccination consistent with applicable law.

Compensation & Benefits Overview

UChicago Medicine is committed to transparency in compensation and benefits.  The pay range provided reflects the anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position.

The pay range is based on a full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) and is reflective of current market data, reviewed on an annual basis. Compensation offered at the time of hire will vary based on candidate qualifications and experience and organizational considerations, such as internal equity. Pay ranges for employees subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements are negotiated by the medical center and their respective union.

Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits - UChicago Medicine.