A 340B Operations Support Specialist is a critical analytical and administrative role within the healthcare and pharmacy sectors, dedicated to ensuring the financial and regulatory integrity of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. This federally mandated program allows qualifying healthcare organizations to purchase outpatient medications at significantly reduced prices, generating crucial savings that are reinvested into patient care. Specialists in this field serve as the operational backbone, managing the complex data, reporting, and compliance processes that make the program function. For professionals with a blend of healthcare knowledge, technical aptitude, and meticulous attention to detail, 340B Operations Support Specialist jobs offer a rewarding career at the intersection of pharmacy operations, data analytics, and healthcare finance. The core mission of a 340B Operations Support Specialist revolves around data management, validation, and submission. Professionals in this role are typically responsible for the end-to-end process of compiling pharmacy dispensing data, ensuring its accuracy, and submitting it to various external entities. This includes preparing and uploading claim files to manufacturer-specific platforms like the 340B ESP (Enrollment, Verification, and Pricing) system, monitoring for rejections or discrepancies, and performing necessary troubleshooting and resubmissions. A significant portion of the role involves supporting rebate processes, which requires extracting data, reconciling information against manufacturer invoices, and analyzing rebate outcomes to confirm financial accuracy for the covered entity. Beyond submissions, these specialists are key to maintaining program compliance and performance. Common responsibilities include conducting regular audits of contract pharmacy and in-house pharmacy data to prevent duplicate discounts and diversion, which are strict program violations. They develop and maintain detailed documentation of workflows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and reporting schedules. Collaboration is essential, as specialists routinely work with internal teams such as Pharmacy, Finance, and Account Management to resolve data issues, explain variances, and optimize program operations. They also serve as a point of contact for Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), assisting with system configurations and data flow. The typical skill set for 340B Operations Support Specialist jobs is highly specialized. A strong foundational understanding of the 340B program's rules, covered entity types, and contract pharmacy operations is paramount. On the technical side, intermediate to advanced proficiency in SQL for querying databases is almost universally required to extract, manipulate, and validate large datasets. Familiarity with data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau is a common plus. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are crucial for investigating data anomalies. Candidates usually possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Data Analytics, Healthcare Administration, Pharmacy Technology, or Information Systems, though equivalent experience is often accepted. Prior experience in pharmacy operations, healthcare data reporting, or with a 340B TPA is highly valued. Ultimately, success in these jobs hinges on meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to regulatory compliance, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational insights, making these specialists indispensable assets in the sustainable management of the vital 340B program.
