Dereck Suarez
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Specialty pharmacy and healthcare operations professional with 10+ years of progressive experience spanning oncology pharmacy, specialty medication access, reimbursement, prior authorization, insurance benefits, billing, financial assistance, manufacturer programs, and pharmacy operations. Currently serve as a Pharmacy Technician Specialist supporting a high-acuity oncology population, coordinating payer requirements, reimbursement workflows, manufacturer assistance, and solutions to complex financial barriers and serving our medication reconciliation department inpatient.
Experienced in translating complex reimbursement and access issues into actionable solutions for patients, providers, clinical teams, pharmacies, manufacturers, and insurance stakeholders. Progressive leadership experience includes leading pharmacy operations, optimizing workflows, training staff, driving quality improvement, managing inventory, and collaborating across functions. Completed a Bachelor’s and Masters degree in Psychology and currently enrolled in my Masters in Business Healthcare Administration at WGU. I have a strong foundation in healthcare operations, patient access, financial coordination, and specialty pharmacy.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Pharmacy Technician and Financial Coordinator
Atrium Health Specialty Pharmacy at Levine Cancer Institute
07.2024 - Current
- Serve as a lead pharmacy and financial coordination resource supporting the Multiple Myeloma Clinic and Levine Cancer Institute, with responsibility for complex specialty medication access, reimbursement, and affordability workflows.
- Coordinate insurance benefit verification, prior authorizations, billing, reimbursement, collections, and financial assistance activities across complex oncology treatment pathways.
- Analyze insurance coverage and patient-specific financial barriers and develop solutions with patients, providers, payers, manufacturers, pharmacies, and clinical teams to support timely access to specialty medications.
- Coordinate commercial payer billing activities and monitor accounts, authorization status, reimbursement requirements, and outstanding issues to support accurate and timely payment.
- Collaborate directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers and external pharmacies to identify and secure patient assistance resources through programs including PAN Foundation, HealthWell Foundation, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
- Communicate authorization and reimbursement status to physician offices and clinical stakeholders, translating complex payer requirements into clear next steps.
- Serve as a subject-matter resource for patients, physicians, clinical staff, insurance representatives, pharmacies, and manufacturer assistance programs.
- Identify recurring reimbursement and access barriers and coordinate cross-functional solutions to improve workflow efficiency, medication access, and financial outcomes.
- Manage multiple time-sensitive workstreams simultaneously while maintaining accurate documentation, regulatory requirements, and patient-centered service.
Certified Lead Pharmacy Compounding and Office Technician
Novant Health Cancer Research Institute
02.2023 - 07.2024
- Selected for a lead role based on demonstrated expertise, leadership, performance, and experience supporting high-acuity oncology pharmacy operations.
- Oversaw pharmacy operations involving chemotherapy agents, supportive medications, supplies, inventory, workflow coordination, and medication access.
- Collaborated with pharmaceutical manufacturers and vendors to obtain free, replacement, and clinical-trial medications, supporting patient access while helping reduce medication-related financial barriers.
- Coordinated competing operational priorities involving medication preparation, inventory, patient workflows, reporting, and clinical support.
- Identified workflow gaps and supported process improvements designed to increase efficiency, accuracy, and quality.
- Maintained compliance with USP 797 and USP 800 requirements and organizational quality standards.
- Served as a resource to pharmacy staff and clinical teams regarding medication preparation, operational workflows, and quality requirements. Oversaw clinic pharmacy operations, including ordering chemotherapy agents, supportive medications, and supplies while maintaining strict quality control and compliance standards.
- Selected for a lead technician role based on demonstrated expertise, strong work ethic, and consistent performance in high-acuity oncology settings.
- Coordinated with drug manufacturers and vendors to obtain free, replacement, or clinical trial medications to support patient access and cost reduction.
- Ensured adherence to USP standards by continuously updating sterile compounding practices.
- Prioritized chemotherapy preparation, patient workflows, and operational reporting with exceptional accuracy, efficiency, and time management in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Pharmacy Technician - Sterile Compounding
Atrium Health Pineville and CMC Main
03.2020 - 03.2023
- Led and mentored pharmacy technicians across sterile and non-sterile compounding, medication preparation, dispensing, and delivery workflows.
- Trained technicians on standardized preparation procedures, quality requirements, workflow expectations, and medication safety.
- Supported compliance with USP 797, USP 800 state and federal regulations, and accreditation requirements.
- Monitored workflow performance, identified operational gaps, and reinforced process improvements to improve efficiency and patient safety.
- Collaborated with pharmacists and pharmacy leadership to resolve operational challenges and maintain consistent service levels.
- Received Bronze-level recognition for contributions related to organizational values and patient safety.
Pharmacy Technician
Walgreens Belmont
12.2015 - 03.2020
- Supported prescription processing, medication preparation, inventory, billing, patient profiles, and daily pharmacy operations.
- Processed prescription transactions and calculated charges while maintaining accuracy in billing and revenue-related activities.
- Assisted patients and healthcare providers with pharmacy-related inquiries and appropriately escalated clinical questions to pharmacists.
- Maintained accurate patient and prescription information while protecting confidentiality and following pharmacy procedures.
Education
MBA - Healthcare Administration
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT08-2027
Bachelor's - Psychology
Purdue Global University
01-2026
Associates - Science
Central Piedmont Community College
01-2018
High School Diploma -
Benjamin N. Cardozo HS
01-2013
Skills
- Specialty Pharmacy Strategy Support
- Healthcare Reimbursement
- Patient Affordability
- Specialty Medication Access
- Insurance & Benefits
- Prior Authorization
- Billing & Collections
- Financial Assistance Programs Manufacturer Programs
- Payer & Provider Coordination
- Reimbursement Analysis
- Workflow Optimization
- Operational Reporting
- Process Improvement
- Performance Monitoring
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Stakeholder Communication
- Pharmacy Operations
- Team Leadership
- Quality & Compliance
Certification
- NCBOP, Pharmacy technician license
- PTCB, Certified Pharmacy Technician
Timeline
Pharmacy Technician and Financial Coordinator
Atrium Health Specialty Pharmacy at Levine Cancer Institute
07.2024 - Current
Certified Lead Pharmacy Compounding and Office Technician
Novant Health Cancer Research Institute
02.2023 - 07.2024
Pharmacy Technician - Sterile Compounding
Atrium Health Pineville and CMC Main
03.2020 - 03.2023
Pharmacy Technician
Walgreens Belmont
12.2015 - 03.2020
MBA - Healthcare Administration
Western Governors University
Bachelor's - Psychology
Purdue Global University
Associates - Science
Central Piedmont Community College
High School Diploma -
Benjamin N. Cardozo HS