Family Support Educator - Houston, TX

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals   Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Seeking talent near: Houston, TX

Position Summary:

Provide expert field-based patient education and support throughout the treatment journey for the Rett community.  Responsible for serving as a dedicated point of contact to Rett families for their on-label, clinical education-related questions about disease state and product education. This role will primarily engage with caregivers and families, healthcare professionals (if and when appropriate), and local communities to help patients progress in their healthcare journey.  The Family Support Educator will help patients successfully start and stay on therapy.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide disease state, product, and ongoing therapy management education upon request,  in consumer friendly language to the Rett community, which may include patients, caregivers, and/or other care team members. Caregiver engagement may take place before, during, and after therapy initiation, through various formats, including in-person, telephonic, and/or virtual interactions.
• Determine individual needs of patients and caregivers, and serve as an ongoing resource to provide appropriate education and resources accordingly, throughout the various stages of the patient journey.
• Collaborates with and provides support for the entire assigned territory, which consists of multiple internal cross-functional partners (Marketing, Sales, Patient Access Team, Medical Affairs, Advocacy, and others), and may require coverage of multiple states. Supports and communicates educational opportunities with cross functional partners, as appropriate.
• Possess expert knowledge and provide insights to internal stakeholders including, but limited to, training leads, marketing partners, advocacy, medical and leadership, in an effort to develop tools and resources to address educational gaps, enhance disease state education, and therapy management strategies to patient families/caregivers.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge of disease state, product, and Acadia Customer Support Programs, such as Hub-related and Patient Assistance Programs, and ambassador speaker programs, etc.
• May moderate, lead and present caregiver speaker programs as needed, and attend community events within assigned territory.
• Provide in-service to physician offices reactively, to educate about the Family Support Educator role, patient support resources provided to caregivers, pre and post enrollment in the program, and foster a dialogue between caregivers and healthcare providers.
• Identify and execute on opportunities to provide leadership within the Family Support Educator team and with cross functional partners.
• May provide formal mentorship and/or development opportunities with new Family Support Educator team members, and/or to cross functional colleagues interested in Patient Support Services.
• Identify training and development opportunities related to Patient Support Services and the broader organization.
• Ensures that all actions, both internally and externally, working on Acadia’s behalf are in compliance with all laws, regulations, policies and demonstrates Acadia values.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in life sciences preferred. RN,MSN, MBA is a plus
• To qualify for Family Support Educator requires 5+ years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Industry, Patient Access, National Accounts, Specialty Pharmacy.  At least 2 years of Patient Support, Education or Leadership experience (Patient Education, Patient Access, and/or Patient Engagement Leadership). 
• To qualify for Senior Family Support Educator requires 7+ years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Industry, Patient Access, National Accounts, Specialty Pharmacy, with extensive experience and technical expertise associated with Patient Engagement.  At least 4 years of Patient Support, Education or Leadership experience (Patient Education, Patient Access, and/or Patient Engagement Leadership). 
• Rare Disease, Product Launch, Advocacy, Medicaid and 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.

Key Skills:

• Rare Disease experience strongly preferred
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Experienced in patient/caregiver education required
• Account Management experience preferred
• Advocacy experience preferred
• Strong background and understanding of field environment in healthcare industry
• Track record of increased responsibilities
• Strong history of successful cross functional collaboration
• Demonstrated success in leading without authority
• Experience working with provider offices such as a physician practice, patient assistance programs, or similar pharmaceutical support program strongly preferred
• 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
• Must possess strong written and verbal communications as well as presentation skills
• Excellent 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
• Strong enthusiasm with a drive to succeed within a team
• Ability to travel up to 70%, depending on territory
• Employee must be able to meet all additional local, state, and federal vaccination requirements for conducting in-person field coaching days, customer visits, admittance into local Community HCP Offices, as well as for attendance at Medical Congresses and Local Conferences for in person participation and exhibiting.

Physical Requirements:

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

Position Levels:

• Family Support Educator: $124,000-$155,000-requires 5+ years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Industry, Patient Access, National Accounts, Specialty Pharmacy.  At least 2 years of Patient Support, Education or Leadership experience (Patient Education, Patient Access, and/or Patient Engagement Leadership). 
• Sr. Family Support Educator: $136,000-170,000- requires 7+ years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Industry, Patient Access, National Accounts, Specialty Pharmacy, with extensive experience and technical expertise associated with Patient Engagement.  At least 4 years of Patient Support, Education or Leadership experience (Patient Education, Patient Access, and/or Patient Engagement

#LI-REMOTE #LI-SM1

 

 

In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location. 

Salary Range$124,000—$155,000 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

• 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

EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

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Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.