Global Adherence Expert

Meet the new Merck. A stronger pipeline. More products to help people in more ways. More passionate than ever about what matters to our customers.

Merck and Schering-Plough are now one company. We recently merged to create a stronger, more diverse and more truly global company. This not only benefits our company and our shareholders, but it also benefits the millions of people around the world who rely on our products and expect us to continue to deliver exceptional value. Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork.

Improving patient adherence to therapy consistent with appropriate utilization can provide a strong value proposition to payers, providers and ultimately patients through improved health outcomes, driven by some key trends in health care:

Consolidation of payers leading to greater patient retention and greater payer attention to longer term health of patients
Increased strategic partnerships between payers and employers
Increased competitive pressure on payers to provide competitive offerings to employers

Merck can contribute significantly to creating such adherence programs and a supporting value proposition for payers, providers and patients under the broader context of 'appropriate use', and in this role the Global Adherence Expert will assist the Adherence Leader in developing a broad adherence platform consisting of standardized approaches to data acquisition and analysis, as well as developing and supporting deployment of a suite of practical solutions for product teams. Will work closely with the US Commercial Operation's Adherence experts to leverage current knowledge, best practices and complement the work that is ongoing in USCO.

Develop deeper understanding and be at the cutting edge of the science of adherence

Utilize deep expertise in relevant behavioral science and research to develop expertise on patterns of adherence across key markets, leveraging the work already undertaken in USCO
Develop strong understanding of health systems, quality metrics, and overall processes of care and opportunities for systematic interventions
Coordinate with and supplement USCO adherence research, focusing on variation by disease area (chronic and acute)/drug classes and geographic region
Develop expertise on impact of various interventions (i.e. tools or levers to influence adherence)
Coordinate internationally with internal and external experts in the field to supplement knowledge base

Maintain knowledge of the supplier environment in this space

Scan of the market place to understand what is offered and who the key players are
Understand what other stakeholders are offering

Drive development of a platform for adherence evaluation and performance monitoring

Set up standardized data acquisition and analysis methodologies and infrastructure - potentially via partnerships
Interface with MRL (Merck Research Labs) to influence drug development processes and trial design for adherence proofs
Work with OR, HEA, HTA experts to develop specific payer value proofs for adherence offerings (evidence based guidelines)
Ensure coordination with USCO efforts

Drive design of suite of solutions and guidance for implementation

Develop broad toolkit of potential interventions
Develop guidance on when to apply what solution(s) (e.g., for what disease, patient type, geography, etc.)
Test solutions within systems of care and practices as well as with HTA organizations and payers that will assess effectiveness
Support product teams and markets in deploying solutions

Support broad education and training and development of the go-to-market approaches

Education of product teams
Education of field force/payer relationship managers and other customer interfaces
Influence external understanding of adherence and appropriate use
Support development of non-product specific educational materials for providers/payers/patients
Support development of partnerships to improve adherence through community interventions

Qualifications

A minimum of a Master's degree in outcomes research, the behavioral sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health and health services research, nursing or related discipline is required; an advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.D.) is preferred. 10+ years of overall experience, including a minimum of 7 years relevant experience in behavior change and health systems / quality improvement, outcomes research, health technology assessment and/or managed markets is also required.

Strong understanding of and experience with adherence
Strong strategic thinking skills, proven success working within large strategic initiatives
Technical skills in health psychology and/or medical sociology, and/or outcomes research and/or health technology assessment
Innovative and be able to invent and create opportunities, self starter
Superior written and oral communication skills
Well-developed interpersonal skills required, with experience in interacting with colleagues at various levels
Uses Market Interface and Payer/HTA expertise
Should also have experience interacting with external stakeholders, and has preferably worked within one of these stakeholder groups (e.g. health system).

Our employees are the key to our company's success. We demonstrate our commitment to our employees by offering a competitive and valuable rewards program. Merck's benefits are designed to support the wide range of goals, needs and lifestyles of our employees, and many of the people that matter the most in their lives.

Job Type:
Permanent

Location:
Minnesota-St. Paul

Salary:
[n/a]

Date available:
now

Company:
Merck

Company Description:
From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we're committed to improving health and well-being around the world.

Company Website:
[n/a]

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