[Hiring] Senior Patient Access Manager @Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Role Description

The Patient Access Manager (PAM) will provide expert field-based access and reimbursement support, serving as a dedicated point of contact to healthcare providers (HCPs) for their on-label access-related questions regarding company products. This field-based role acts as a critical liaison among HCPs, Specialty Pharmacies (SPs), payers, patients, hub services, and internal cross-functional teams. As a coverage and access subject matter expert, the PAM is integral to ensure patients have timely access to treatment by providing support for customers in an assigned geographic territory. This role requires frequent travel to support the access needs of key stakeholders. PAM is a non-promotional role within ACADIA and adheres to all ACADIA-approved compliance guidelines, including the role-specific Rules of Engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively educate healthcare providers on navigating programs, processes, and access-related requirements to facilitate patient access to ACADIA products via in-person and virtual interactions.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in preventing and addressing access and reimbursement issues through education, problem-solving, and issue resolution ensuring solutions are optimized to support the patient’s access journey and deliver excellent customer experience.
• Proactively build and maintain access-related relationships with HCP accounts and their office support staff.
• Demonstrate deep market knowledge and apply this to navigating the patient access process, building and maintaining access-related knowledge, and supporting coverage and reimbursement requirements.
• Conduct proactive in-services with HCPs on all aspects of the access journey, including but not limited to coverage pathways, prior authorization, specialty pharmacy coordination, appeals, hub resources, and patient support services.
• Escalate local payer issues to National Account Managers and PAM Leads.
• Condense complex issues into simple solutions by collaborating cross-functionally to improve customer experience, educate HCPs/Office Staff on coverage status, prior authorization, and appeals.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of ACADIA customer support programs and serve as the expert in the assigned territory.
• Provide proactive pre-referral educational in-services to prevent coverage barriers before referral.
• Provide post-referral support to HCP offices by addressing education needs, pulling through access and coverage for patients, and coordinating with ACADIA customer support programs and specialty pharmacies to monitor referral status.
• Support continuity of patient access by proactively educating HCP offices on reauthorization requirements, assisting with payer transitions, and offering program services to minimize therapy interruptions.
• Facilitate patient reimbursement and affordability by guiding offices through prior authorizations, appeals, and financial support options.
• Build relationships with pharmacy staff and share key insights.
• Provide expertise on regional and national payer plans to team members and PAM Leads.
• Support development and implementation of national-level initiatives to improve access and reimbursement strategies across brands.
• Champion and manage appropriate utilization of patient support services and ensure compliance with legal/regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in life sciences preferred. Advanced degrees (RN, MSN, MBA) are a plus.
• Minimum of 4+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical sales, market access, national accounts, or specialty pharmacy. Deep expertise in access and reimbursement strategies.
• Medicare expertise strongly preferred with a strong background and understanding of field environment in healthcare industry.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered.

Requirements

• Strong history of successful cross functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated success in leading without authority.
• Experience working with provider offices such as physician practice, patient assistance programs, or similar pharmaceutical support programs strongly preferred.
• Patient-centric and service-oriented mindset.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills.
• Must display a patient-centric mentality with a high degree of emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Empathetic listening skills in order to interact effectively with customers.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Understand HIPAA rules and regulations related to patient privacy.
• Strong written and verbal communications as well as presentation skills.
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Excel, Word and Power Point.
• Ability to manage expenses within allocated budgets.
• Adaptable and open to an environment of change.
• Must be a fast learner, flexible, adjust quickly, and able to work independently.
• Strong enthusiasm with a drive to succeed within a team.
• Ability to travel up to 60%.

Benefits

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage.
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in.
• 15+ vacation days.
• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st.
• 10 days of paid sick time.
• Paid parental leave benefit.
• Tuition assistance.