Clinical Pharmacist Sacramento, CA

Clinical Pharmacist job at Western Health Advantage. Sacramento, CA.

Clinical Pharmacists function in many areas within the pharmacy department. Clinical Pharmacists perform the clinical review of medical and outpatient pharmacy Utilization Management (UM) cases, using their clinical acumen and benefit information into consideration when issuing a decision. Clinical Pharmacists are charged with adhering to all regulations in their decision making, including NCQA, DMHC and Board of Pharmacy. Provide timely coverage determinations for drug prior authorizations (PA), exception requests, and appeals utilizing posted drug criteria, clinical guidelines, and credible drug information resources.

They need to communicate effectively with network providers and staff, discussing member prior authorizations and decision rationale. Clinical Pharmacists are responsible for formulary development activities for multiple lines of business including leading internal Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (P&T) efforts, in addition to serving as members on this committee. Efforts include drug pipeline management, recommendations, monograph creation, and policy writing while maintaining and updating pharmacy UM policies.

They provide clinical oversight for the accuracy of claims adjudication, as needed. Clinical Pharmacists manage new‑to‑market products, National Drug Codes (NDCs), and communication with the PBM’s Clinical Consultant. Clinical Pharmacists support the management and updates of the preferred drug list. Clinical Pharmacists support implementation of clinical programs, revision of drug policies and guidelines and completion of therapeutic category reviews. Clinical Pharmacists also provide recommendations on process improvement to department leadership.

• Develop and update clinical pharmacy UM criteria for review of both outpatient pharmacy and office administered medications.
• Monitor and review prior authorization (PA) requests for medications; perform all duties related to drug utilization review in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Research drug information to maintain current, accurate drug knowledge and disease state understanding for application to PA reviews.
• Analyze pharmacy cost of care, trends, and coordinate the development of appropriate use protocols, programs, and guidelines.
• Provide support to the P&T Committee through committee participation and project completion, including therapeutic category reviews, drug reviews, criteria updates, record keeping, and other analyses, as needed.
• Participate in the development and implementation of clinical quality improvement programs in coordination with the Medical Management department, Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM), and Medical Groups.
• Interface with Medical Groups and Prescribers to educate and inform them of pharmacy program initiatives and cost‑effective prescribing options, as needed.
• Work closely with the PBM to support coding and management of newly released or existing drug products identified through the P&T committee and routine audits of formulary documents.
• Audit and update the WHA formulary drug list and Pharmacy PA Criteria website.
• Precept or participate with pharmacy students on their introductory or advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations with affiliated pharmacy schools, as needed.
• Assist the Pharmacy Manager with accreditation audits by the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regulatory and National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA), as needed.
• Provide clinical guidance and support to various internal departments that require clinical pharmacist intervention.
• Support development of pharmacy policy procedures, training material, and desk level procedures.
• Work with the Pharmacy Manager to ensure there is appropriate coverage during holidays and Friday night to ensure all cases are completed to comply with regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Chief Pharmacy Officer and Pharmacy Manager.

• Must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm
  
  D) degree or equivalent education that satisfies California pharmacist license requirements.…