About the position
The Louisiana Department of Health is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Pharmacist 3 within the Medical Vendor Administration. This role is crucial in the development, implementation, and administration of Medicaid pharmacy operations within the Bureau of Health Services Financing (BHSF). The Pharmacy Section is dedicated to ensuring access to quality pharmacy services while maintaining operational efficiencies, service quality, and cost-effectiveness. The successful candidate will be part of a team that monitors various pharmacy-related processes, including the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board, and the Single Preferred Drug List (PDL) process. Additionally, the role involves overseeing pharmacy vendor contracts and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, including rule-making and State Plan Amendments. As a Pharmacist 3, you will participate in daily operations, assist pharmacy staff in managing compliance with contractors, and support the development and maintenance of pharmacy policies and procedures. You will also be responsible for communicating with federal officials, state legislators, and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of pharmacy services. The position requires a registered pharmacist with a Louisiana state license in good standing and at least two years of experience as a licensed pharmacist. The role may involve functional supervision over pharmacy interns and lower-level support personnel, contributing to the training and development of staff in clinical pharmacy functions. This position is classified and may be filled as a probationary appointment, promotional appointment, detail to special duty, or WAE appointment. It is important to note that part-time WAE appointments are temporary and may last up to a year, with a maximum of 1,245 hours within a 12-month period. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in various pharmacy-related activities, including dispensing medications, monitoring drug utilization, and participating in quality assurance programs related to pharmaceutical services.
Responsibilities
- Participates in the daily operations of the Pharmacy Program.
- Assist pharmacy staff in managing and ensuring compliance with multiple contractors, state and federal regulations, and provider and recipient assistance with claims.
- Coordinate legislative requests/proposed legislation and implement P&T and DUR program changes.
- Support pharmacy staff in developing, implementing and maintaining pharmacy policies and procedures.
- Provide support to pharmacy staff in communicating and collaborating with federal officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state and federal legislators and legislative auditors, professional experts, and clinicians.
- Assist pharmacy staff with pharmacy provider enrollment and the provider portal enrollment process with the recent rebaseline initiative.
- Support pharmacy staff in managing the MCO single PBM for accurate PDL & DUR program changes, pharmacy reimbursement, and claims processing.
- Provide support to pharmacy staff in monitoring contract compliance, the single PBM timely response to recipient and provider issues and review and approve the single PBM policy and procedures.
- Assist the single PBM and MCO staff with beneficiary eligibility issues such as third party liability (TPL) and accurate enrollment segments to assure Medicaid beneficiaries have access to appropriate life-saving medications.
- Performs other pharmacy related program activities as requested by Pharmacy staff.
Requirements
- Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice pharmacy plus two years of experience as a licensed pharmacist.
- A master's degree in pharmacy will substitute for one year of the required experience.
- A doctorate in pharmacy will substitute for the two years of required experience.
- Completion of an accredited pharmacy residency program will substitute for the two years of required experience.
Benefits
- Insurance Coverage
- Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
- Paid holidays including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
- Sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use.
- Retirement systems eligibility for various retirement benefits.
