Medication Access Specialist

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Health Integrated Practice

Duke Health Integrated Practice comprises more than 110 primary and specialty outpatient clinics, extending the reach of the Duke Health mission across the state of North Carolina.

JOB LOCATION Ophthalmology Appt Tech Hub – Remote Position    ** Candidate must reside in North Carolina or have plans to relocate to North Carolina. At this time, working outside of North Carolina is not allowed for non-exempt staff. **   JOB SUMMARY We are seeking a Part-Time Medication Access Specialist (Ophthalmic Technician, Certified) to manage a high-volume, interruption-sensitive caseload across multiple ophthalmology subspecialties and locations. The role determines the true medication barrier, gathers and evaluates supporting information, completes payer requirements, coordinates next steps, and follows each request to a documented resolution. Success requires sound judgment, careful attention to detail, comfort with changing payer rules, and the ability to communicate clearly with both clinical and non-clinical partners.   JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review requests from Epic In Basket, electronic PA tools, patient calls, MyChart, refill/RxChange messages, fax, clinics, staff assistants, email, and real-time messaging. Validate the medication, prescriber, indication, pharmacy, benefit, urgency, and requested action.
• Differentiate PA, formulary, step-therapy, quantity, tier, refill, claim-processing, specialty-pharmacy, documentation, and affordability barriers. Research plan-specific criteria and preferred submission routes.
• Prepare and submit accurate requests; retrieve and interpret determinations; respond to deficiencies; coordinate reconsiderations and appeals; track deadlines; and escalate clinical documentation needs.
• Review diagnoses, notes, medication history, prior trials, contraindications, allergies, treatment response, and discrepancies. Obtain prescriber clarification without independently making treatment decisions.
• Communicate status and next steps; clarify claim details, brand/NDC, quantity, day supply, refill timing, and specialty routing; verify whether approval results in a payable and affordable prescription.
• Screen for manufacturer copay programs, patient assistance programs, direct-to-consumer options, Medicare Extra Help, specialty pathways, and appropriate cash alternatives.
• Maintain concise, complete Epic documentation; process determination letters; update case status; close the loop with responsible parties; and support workload/outcome reporting.

  JOB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Work requires completion of Ophthalmic Technician training and certification as a certified Ophthalmic Technician by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). 
• Must have BLS Certification.

Preferred candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skill, and abilities:

• Knowledge of ophthalmic terminology, eye diseases, ocular emergencies, ophthalmic medications, and treatment protocols.
• Ability to assess patient symptoms, recognize urgent and emergent ophthalmic conditions, and appropriately prioritize care using established clinical guidelines.
• Strong critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills with the ability to independently evaluate patient concerns and determine appropriate disposition and escalation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately with patients, families, physicians, scheduling staff, and other healthcare team members.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a remote, team-based environment.
• Proficiency in documenting patient encounters, triage assessments, recommendations, and communications accurately and thoroughly within the electronic medical record.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, including incoming patient calls, electronic messages, provider requests, and real-time communications from scheduling teams.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and effectively utilize available resources to resolve patient care issues.
• Knowledge of patient privacy, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA compliance.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to maintain accuracy and productivity in a fast-paced remote environment.
• Ability to provide patient education and reinforce provider instructions regarding eye conditions, treatments, medications, postoperative care, and symptoms requiring urgent evaluation.
• Ability to participate in continuous process improvement initiatives and adapt to evolving workflows, protocols, and departmental needs.
• Able to withstand long sitting.

  JOB HOURS 19 hours per week - the schedule/days will vary weekly.   

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.