MEDICATION ACCESS SPECIALISTChrist Community Health Services
Job Summary
Since 1995, Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) has provided high-quality healthcare to underserved communities through distinctively Christian service. As a faith-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we serve approximately 60,000 patients each year across our Memphis health centers, offering primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty services.
About the Role
Christ Community Health Services is seeking a knowledgeable, patient-focused Medication Access Specialist to coordinate and process medication prior-authorization requests. This role works closely with CCHS providers, patients, retail pharmacies, and insurance companies to support timely access to prescribed medications.
The Medication Access Specialist submits and tracks authorization documentation, follows up on pending requests and denials, resolves prescription adjudication and co-billing issues, communicates outcomes, and maintains accurate records in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational standards. The role also supports pharmacy workflow and patient service as needed.
Why Join CCHS?
• Help patients overcome insurance and administrative barriers to obtaining prescribed medications.
• Use pharmacy knowledge, research skills, and attention to detail in a mission-driven healthcare environment.
• Collaborate with patients, providers, pharmacies, insurers, and members of an integrated care team.
• Support accurate authorizations, appropriate reimbursement, and timely medication access.
• Contribute to a culture grounded in compassion, service, excellence, and Christian faith.
Our Core Values and What They Look Like in This Role
CCHS team members are expected to demonstrate our core values every day. For a Medication Access Specialist, they mean:
• Intentional Love - Treating patients, caregivers, coworkers, clinic staff, and external partners with compassion, dignity, confidentiality, and respect.
• Devoted Service - Following authorization requests and medication-access concerns through to timely resolution with reliability and a servant's heart.
• Humble Excellence - Maintaining accurate documentation, applying pharmacy and insurance requirements carefully, and remaining teachable and Christ-centered.
What You'll Do
• Review and process medication prior-authorization requests accurately and to completion within appropriate timeframes.
• Conduct research and follow-up activities needed to support authorization approval and resolve outstanding issues.
• Maintain communication with patients, providers, retail pharmacies, and insurance companies regarding authorization requirements and status.
• Use eClinicalWorks, Excel, Microsoft Teams, CoverMyMeds, and other online authorization portals to initiate, document, and track requests.
• Use PioneerRx to review patient medication profiles and accurately rebill previous medication fills when appropriate.
• Communicate net revenue gained from completed prior authorizations to appropriate stakeholders.
• Monitor submitted requests and complete timely follow-up on pending authorizations, requests for additional information, denials, and appeals-related next steps.
• Communicate authorization outcomes to providers and patients and explain required next steps clearly when additional information is needed or a request is denied.
• Collaborate with insurance companies to clarify coverage policies, documentation requirements, and approval criteria.
Compliance and Record Management
• Review patient medication profiles for prescription-insurance changes and update information when necessary.
• Maintain organized, complete, and accurate records of authorization submissions, supporting documentation, outcomes, and follow-up activities.
• Participate in quality-assurance activities to confirm approved authorizations are processed and documented accurately.
• Follow applicable pharmacy, insurance, privacy, safety, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
Pharmacy and Patient Support
• Accurately enter prescription-drug information into the pharmacy operating system.
• Assist with inventory management, including ordering medications, restocking shelves, and returning expired medications.
• Process patient transactions, ring up purchases, and handle payments accurately.
• Respond to patients, caregivers, coworkers, clinic staff, and external customers in a courteous, confidential, and timely manner.
• Explain the steps patients may need to complete for authorization or patient-assistance approval in clear, understandable language.
• Recognize when questions, requests, or clinical concerns fall outside the scope of the Medication Access Specialist or pharmacy technician and refer them to the appropriate licensed professional or responsible party.
• Perform other pharmacy duties as assigned to support reasonable patient and departmental needs, provided the duties comply with practice norms and legal requirements.
What You'll Bring
• High school diploma or GED.
• Current Tennessee Pharmacy Technician registration or license in good standing.
• Current Certified Pharmacy Technician credential (CPhT) in good standing.
• At least two years of experience in a retail or hospital pharmacy; or at least one year of experience as a pharmacy technician within Christ Community Health Services.
• Working formal knowledge equivalent to an associate degree is desired; a bachelor's or postgraduate degree is preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in a retail or hospital pharmacy setting is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information effectively to pharmacy staff and patients.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work respectfully with patients and team members.
• Ability to triage, prioritize, and complete work accurately within required timeframes.
• Ability to follow directions, execute assigned tasks, and maintain concentration while managing multiple steps and recurring variables.
What Success Looks Like
• Prior-authorization requests are submitted accurately, tracked consistently, and resolved within appropriate timeframes.
• Patients, providers, pharmacies, and insurers receive clear and timely communication regarding authorization status and next steps.
• Prescription adjudication, rebilling, and co-billing issues are researched and resolved appropriately.
• Medication profiles, insurance information, authorization records, and quality-assurance documentation remain complete and current.
• Patients understand the actions required to support authorization or patient-assistance approval.
• Clinical questions and concerns outside the role's scope are promptly referred to the appropriate professional.
• Pharmacy workflow, inventory, transactions, and assigned support duties are completed accurately and professionally.
• The Christian mission and values of CCHS are reflected in daily interactions and work practices.
Work Environment
This position is performed primarily in an office environment; however, the Medication Access Specialist may be required to report onsite for pharmacy duties, training, staff meetings, or other departmental needs.
The role requires frequent sitting and regular use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, pharmacy systems, online authorization portals, and medication-counting equipment. Computer work requires a high degree of hand-eye coordination; telephone and counting-equipment use require normal coordination.
Lifting, pushing, or pulling occurs approximately 20% of the time, with items weighing up to 20 pounds. Typical objects include drug-wholesaler totes, boxes of labels, copy paper, and prescriptions. Regular work-related travel is not expected.
What We Offer
• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off, including 120 hours during the first year, plus paid holidays.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Annual paid Restorative Day supporting wellness and work-life balance.
• Mission-driven culture and employee recognition programs.
• Professional development and opportunities to grow within pharmacy operations and medication-access services.
• The opportunity to help expand access to high-quality healthcare throughout Memphis.
Make a Difference Through Medication Access
If you are an experienced Certified Pharmacy Technician who values accuracy, patient advocacy, communication, and mission-driven healthcare, we invite you to consider joining Christ Community Health Services.
Come serve with purpose. Come help patients access the medications they need. Come make a difference in our community.








