Job Description

The Drug Access Coordinator (DAC) facilitates and coordinates the submission of funding requests for patients who require assistance in facilitating medication coverage including for high-cost or specialty medications or, those in need of compassionate supply. Serving as the central point of contact, the DAC supports patients/care givers, healthcare providers including prescribers, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and clerical staff with drug funding and drug access inquiries. The DAC actively collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and their patient support programs, insurance providers, and provincial drug plans to secure the necessary medications for patients. In addition, the DAC works closely with both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy teams, as well as prescribers and nursing staff, to ensure timely availability of medications for patient visit.

QUALIFICATIONS:
•Minimum 2 year Community College Diploma required; Pharmacy Technician Diploma preferred
•Undergraduate degree in Health Science is preferred
•Must be a Regulated Health Professional in any health field, Registered Pharmacy Technician is preferred
•2-5 years previous work experience in Canadian pharmacy or work in hospital, patient support programs or other related fields required
•Previous Drug Access Coordinator experience strongly preferred
•Experience working in Canadian pharmacies or hospitals, patient support programs, or other related fields required
•Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to interact professionally with patients, caregivers, and staff
•Proven excellence in both oral and written communication
•Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications
•Ability to take initiative, work independently with minimal supervision
•Keen ability to prioritize multiple competing tasks and effectively multitask
•Ability to problem solve issues independently before escalating to Pharmacist/Manager
•Outstanding attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping abilities
•Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of SJHH

RESPONSIBILITIES
•Act as a central point of contact for the care team on drug access needs.
•Collaborate with pharmacists and prescribers to coordinate obtaining drug access for patients. This includes but is not limited to:
oIdentifying funding sources for the patient for the medication
oAssessing patient eligibility for various funding sources identified (ie: private insurance, provincial and federal payers, pharmaceutical companies, support programs etc.)
oVerifying coverage details and guiding patients and prescribers in completion and submitting required forms
oTracking progress for patients access requests and provide timely follow-up based on progress including when renewal is required
•Send and respond to correspondence from staff or funding sources in a timely manner
•Collaborate with Pharmacy Supervisor, Manager or Pharmacy Technician (Purchaser) to ensure appropriate procurement, storage, inventory control and relevant record keeping associated with supply of medications
•Collaborate with Pharmacy Technicians to ensure that patient’s medication is delivered in time for their visit
•Provide information to patients, their caregivers and care team members regarding potential sources of funding and status of applications
•Develop and refine necessary tools to track all patients in need of drug access, assist in follow up of applications and in inventory control of medications
•Document funding pathway and outcome in the electronic health record
•Document workload and run any relevant reports requested by manager
•Perform other duties as assigned