Senior Pharmacist - Strategy

Highmark Health • Washington, DC

1d • $118,400 - $196,800 • Remote

About The Position

This job works in a team-oriented environment monitoring FDA-approvals, drug manufacturer pipelines, and assessing drug utilization reports, to develop and execute the organization's drug formulary, and develop pharmacy utilization management policies, and maintains compliance with federal, state, and other mandates. The incumbent may write drug monographs for committee review; develop and implement the organization's management programs including but not limited to: prior authorization, dose and duration edits, quantity limits, step-care edits, generic sampling, pharmacy policy review and development and/or review of member specific information to improve individual outcomes. The incumbent develops and implements physician, pharmacy, account, and member educational initiatives that promote the organization’s formularies, utilization management programs, and participates on cross-functional committees to develop and implement clinical and operational initiatives, working in close collaboration with matrix partners and stakeholders across the organization. The incumbent may interact with pharmaceutical manufacturers, the pharmacy benefit manager, and/or strategic partners to implement clinical formulary and utilization management strategies. The incumbent may provide guidance to more junior team members, participate in evaluating, implementing, and monitoring pharmacy benefit-focused federal and state legislation, develop, execute, and monitor pharmacy-specific strategic initiatives, and/or present recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

• 5 years of related, progressive experience in the pharmacy area of specialization OR completion of an accredited PGY-1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency Program plus 2 additional years of related, progressive experience in the pharmacy area of specialization
• An understanding of managed care pharmacy principles and practices is essential
• Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as proficiency in the use of computer-based data processing Microsoft Office products, and database applications
• Be able to quickly identify and prioritize essential elements of problem
• Independently or in a team, be able to identify the root issues and formulate potential solutions
• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Registered Pharmacist (Non-State Specific)

Nice To Haves

• Progressive experience in pharmacy strategy, formulary administration, pharmacy program or product development within a health system, health plan, or pharmacy benefit manager setting
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist
• Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist

Responsibilities

• Lead Highmark’s evidence-based medicine drug evaluation program supporting Highmark’s formulary and utilization management (UM) and/or pharmacy program strategy.
• Develop pharmacy formulary and UM program initiatives supporting Highmark Enterprise Customer Value Creation (C2V) program savings goals.
• Assist in the development of drug formularies by monitoring FDA-approvals and drug manufacturer pipelines, assessing drug utilization reports, and writing drug monographs for Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee review, as applicable.
• Assist in the development and implementation of utilization management programs including but not limited to: prior authorization, dose and duration edits, quantity limits, step therapy edits, generic sampling, pharmacy policy review and development and/or review of member specific information to improve individual outcomes.
• Execute Highmark’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee charter and program compliance in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Support regulatory compliance related to the organization’s prescription drug benefit, formularies, and pharmacy utilization management policies.
• Manage formulary administration and oversight, ensuring all aspects of work adhere to applicable state and federal requirements.
• May represent Highmark in applicable state or federal audits.
• Partner with internal analytics organization and external pharmacy vendors (as applicable) to generate real-world evidence insights to support of Highmark pharmacy strategy.
• Participate in cross-functional committees to develop and implement clinical and operational initiatives within the organization with focus on pharmacy.
• Serve as a peer-reviewer of medication reviews, pharmacy utilization management policies, and other strategy deliverables, as applicable.
• Develop and implement physician, pharmacy, client, and member educational initiatives that promote the organization's pharmacy strategies including formularies, utilization management programs, and other pharmacy programs.
• Identify and assist in managing department process improvements to maximize overall efficiencies.
• Manage individual projects for timely review with leadership.
• Provide guidance to more junior team members.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

• Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior