Samira Khatami
Orinda,CA
Summary
Dedicated Pharmacist offering 17 years of experience ensuring accurate review, processing and dispensing of medications in alignment with orders. Skilled in collaborating with team members to expedite urgent requests while maintaining impeccable focus on safety, accuracy and confidentiality. Advanced communicator with all levels of staff, clients, management and healthcare administrators.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Specialty Pharmacy Advisor-Prior Authorization
UnitedHealth Group
11.2022 - 08.2023
- Providing clinical guidance for next-generation comprehensive specialty pharmacy solutions which successfully meet clinical, quality, and financial performance objectives
- Help ensure providers deliver high-quality, evidence-based and cost-efficient specialty pharmacy care for clients by providing peer to peer consultation
- Providing benefit review and maximum dose recommendations for diagnoses ranging from blepharospasm, spasmodic torticollis, hemifacial spasm, focal limb dystonia, spasticity related to MS, brain or spinal injury, achalasia
- Serve as an expert in specialty pharmacy drugs covered under the medical & medicare benefit plan including but not limited to botulinum toxins (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin), sodium hyaluronate, inflammatory, intravenous immunoglobulin and multiple sclerosis drugs
- Perform utilization review determinations (approval / denials) in an expedited fashion to meet federally mandated turn-around-times of 24 & 72 hours depending on urgency
- Engage & collaborate with treating providers telephonically, includes discussion of evidence-based guidelines, opportunities to close clinical quality / service gaps, and care plan changes that can impact health care expense
- Answered incoming phone calls and addressed questions from customers and healthcare providers.
- Performed various pharmacy operational activities with strong commitment to accuracy, efficiency, and service quality.
- Reviewed prescription to confirm appropriate selection of drug, dose and check for interactions with other medications.
Health Advisor
Walgreens Health Corner
08.2021 - 02.2023
- Conduct approved health care screening services, including but not limited to blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, hemoglobin A1C testing, colon cancer screening
- Demonstrating a high level of professionalism presenting services to internal and external visitors of pilot clinics
- Conduct customer surveys and document experiences for future changes
- Comply with all company policies and procedures, collaborate with business team
- Participate in weekly meetings and conference calls concerning new and modified offerings.
- Participated in health education research initiatives, developing and evaluating health education programs.
- Implemented health promotion campaigns to raise awareness of health-related issues.
- Taught health education classes for community workers and members of public.
- Assisted with development of improved seminars and training materials.
- Created pamphlets, videos and other health education materials to promote health awareness and preventive health practices.
Clinical Pharmacist
Steady MD-Pfizer
03.2021 - 01.2022
- Answer doctor and patient questions regarding COVID-19 treatments, specifically, 's emergency authorized Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir)
- Knowing and effectively answering questions in regards to drug-to-drug interactions with patient maintenance medications and Paxlovid
- Focused on providing a superior level of customer service and answering calls as they come in, on call from first telemed patient is spoken to until the last phone patient
- Compliance with all relevant laws and State Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations on the FDA authorized emergency use of Paxlovid
- Prepared to answer any questions in regards to efficacy and side effects of investigational medicine for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children
- Advised physicians on how to properly dose medications.
- Analyzed trends in medication use and made recommendations for policy updates.
- Partnered with physicians and other members of healthcare team to optimize patient care through effective use of medications.
Lead Pharmacist
Rheem Specialty Pharmacy
08.2012 - 11.2020
- Experience in all phases of pharmacy operations; including staff recruiting and training to fulfill more than 1000 prescriptions weekly, boosting overall performance and efficiency by 23%
- Dispense and compound prescriptions/OTC medications, creating specialized formularies to adhere to patient needs while minimizing administrative errors from 3% to less than 0.2%
- Meeting State and Federal pharmacy guidelines for 16 licensed states
- Hands on experience with MTM documentation, preparing medication therapy review,action plan, intervention, or referral
- Educating patients on drug-drug interactions, disease-management, dosage, and potential side effects
- Slashed payroll/benefits administration costs 30% by negotiating pricing and fees while ensuring the continuation and enhancements of service
- Effectively prioritized tasks and organized workflow to increase efficiency.
- Advised patients on medication side effects and contraindications and explained proper administration.
- Monitored ordering of pharmacy medication stock to maintain streamlined inventory and low overhead.
Senior Medical Analyst
Amgen Pharmaceuticals
06.2010 - 12.2012
- Responding to medical inquiries from both internal and external customers in atimely manner
- Conducting comprehensive literature searches, critically appraise and distill theinformation, and effectively communicating a response to customers inquiries
- Identifying and collecting information specific to reported adverse events anddocumenting appropriately, forwarding pertinent information to safety
- Providing medical responses through medical information letters, updating andcreating new medical information letters for healthcare professionals
- Evaluating medical literature, preparing dermatology and rheumatology radar tobe distributed on a monthly basis providing a summary of recently publishedarticles of interest pertaining to marketed products
- Liaise with Global Medical Information to ensure alignment of processes,projects and systems where appropriate
- Keep abreast of new literature and ensure Medical Information materials arecurrent
- Updating and revising prescribing information (PI) and medication guide onmarketed drugs
Education
Doctor of Pharmacy - Pharmacy
Drake University
Des Moines, IA08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA06.2002
Skills
- Patient Care
- Profit Margins
- Prescription Preparation
- Coverage Determination
- Prior Authorization Processing
- New Hire Onboarding
- Problem-Solving Skills
- HIPAA
- Medicare and Medicaid Processes
Certification
- Licensed Pharmacist in CA-Expires 10/2024
- American Red Cross CPR Certified, 2020
- APhA Immunization Certified, 2007
Languages
English
Full Professional
Farsi
Full Professional
Timeline
Specialty Pharmacy Advisor-Prior Authorization
UnitedHealth Group
11.2022 - 08.2023
Health Advisor
Walgreens Health Corner
08.2021 - 02.2023
Clinical Pharmacist
Steady MD-Pfizer
03.2021 - 01.2022
Lead Pharmacist
Rheem Specialty Pharmacy
08.2012 - 11.2020
Senior Medical Analyst
Amgen Pharmaceuticals
06.2010 - 12.2012
Doctor of Pharmacy - Pharmacy
Drake University
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of California Santa Barbara
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