KARRY D. MAO, PHARMD

Hacienda Heights, CA ***** admwan@r.postjobfree.com 760-***-**** linkedin.com/in/karry-mao-89541816/about:blank

PROFILE

Versatile pharmacist with over a decade of experience providing direct patient care services within correctional health, retail, specialty, and mail order settings. Technological-savvy leader with the ability to leverage software and systems to increase productivity, ensure compliance, and manage staff members. Serves as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team by providing patient recommendations, guideline interpretations, and benefit decisions based on sound clinical judgment and regulatory requirements. Trilingual communicator (English, Mandarin, and Cantonese) skilled at serving diverse patient populations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Pharmacy Best Practices

Continuous Improvement

Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

Drug Utilization Reviews (DURs)

Prior Authorizations

Team Leadership

Training and Development

Patient Counseling

Regulatory Compliance

Inventory Management

Waste Prevention

Customer Service

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LA County Central Health Services, Los Angeles, CA (Correctional Health) June 2018 – Present

Registry Pharmacist (RxRelief)

Supervise up to four pharmacy technicians to support prescription preparations, medication handling, and recordkeeping.

Screen prescription and medication orders for completeness, proper authorization, dosage, and therapeutic compatibility.

Communicate with medical staff to identify and minimize drug interactions, allergies, and potential adverse effects.

Enter, update, and review patient information and history using Cencer/Powerchart and Pyxis, AutoMed.

Monitor medication inventory, ensuring proper storage, protection, and expiration dates to prevent deterioration.

Accountable for prescription inputs, verifications, fillings; provide patient consultation.

PharMedQuest, Various locations in Los Angeles, CA (Retail/Specialty) February 2018 – July 2018

Per Diem Pharmacist

Supervised four pharmacy technicians, delegated responsibilities, and streamlined pharmacy workflow to increase productivity.

Collaborated with prescribers to find cost-effective therapeutic alternatives, resulting in patient cost-savings up to $1000 per prescription.

Supported all aspects of pharmacy operations, verifying prescriptions, and overseeing medication dispensing.

Entered and updated information in patient profiles using DigitalRx.

Counseled patients on medication choices, regiments, and therapeutic plans.

Collaborated with physicians to discuss potential incompatibilities with patient prescriptions.

Addressed insurance-related issues in connection to step therapy, formulary interchange, and prior-authorizations.

OptumRx, Cypress, CA (Prior Authorization) November 2017 – February 2018

Prior Authorization Pharmacist (Adecco Medical & Science)

Provided timely review by processing prior authorization and medically necessity requests for specialty CMS medications.

Reviewed specialty medication prior authorization requests for health conditions such as chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis to make determination within defined turnaround times and regulatory requirements.

Made medical necessity and benefit decisions based on pharmacy guidelines, contract criteria, and sound clinical judgment.

Researched drug information and reviewed medical literature to maintain disease state understanding and application of best practices for prior authorization reviews.

Supported internal team and collaborated with providers on interpretations of clinical guidelines and coverage determinations.

Used RxHD, RxClaims, Nagavitor, and PAS to maintain and update patient information and ensure compliance.

Hacienda Pharmacy, Hacienda, CA (Retail) June 2012 – February 2018

Staff Pharmacist

Served as a trusted partner, counseling patients on medication regimens based on therapeutic plans.

Reviewed patient profiles for drug interactions, dosing appropriateness, allergies, and potential adverse effects.

Educated patients on prescription and non-prescription medications.

Performed medication therapy management (MTM) and answered questions on therapeutic interchanges.

Supervised pharmacy technicians and interns to prepare and dispense medications accurately and in compliance with all regulations.

Collaborated with healthcare professionals to navigate medication guidelines and optimize adherence.

Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP)/Modern Health-Express Pharmacy, San Dimas, CA (Mail Order) August 2016 – June 2017

Pharmacist

Reviewed and managed worker’s compensations and personal injury pain management claims for accurate medical dispensing and delivery.

Worked with physicians to evaluate side effects and potential incompatibility issues.

Maintained all records on medication therapy, prescriptions, patient charges using ScriptPro, DocuTrack, and QS1.

Manage pharmacy technicians and interns.

IWP/Modern Health-Express Pharmacy, Monrovia, CA (Mail Order) August 2014 – August 2016

Pharmacy-in-Charge

Provided oversight to all aspects of pharmacy operations, ensuring compliance with all regulatory agencies.

Supervised, coached, and mentored pharmacists, interns, and technicians.

Cross-trained pharmacy technicians on workflow processes to optimize team productivity and increase daily prescription volume.

Managed inventory levels, updated and maintained familiarity with medication formulary.

Documented and reported medication errors and performed fraud waste abuse analysis.

Buena Vista Pharmacy, Calabasas, CA (Mail Order) April 2012 – August 2014

Pharmacy-in-Charge

Adjusted work assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels and respond to fluctuating prescription volumes.

Maintained all records to ensure proper internal controls over all drugs as required by applicable regulations.

Provided pharmaceutical services to patients, including filling, compounding, dispensing, and consulting.

Evaluated appropriateness of drug choice, potential drug interactions, route of administration, and length of therapy.

Assessed medication therapy, performed pharmacokinetic analysis, and monitored therapeutic outcomes to support patient well-being.

Rx Relief, Los Angeles, CA (Various Pharmacies) October 2011 – April 2012

Per Diem Pharmacist

Provided pharmacy staffing services at Harbor UCLA Willington Pharmacy, Harbor UCLA Family Medical Pharmacy, Buena Vista Pharmacy, University Specialty Pharmacy, and Community Health Alliance of Pasadena.

Clarified orders with physicians to assist with accurate medication filling, compounding, dispensing, and consulting.

Enforced medication formulary, assisted in preparation and calculation of fentanyl intrathecal pump.

Compounded cream, suspensions capsules, and ointments.

CVS Caremark, Danville, CA (Retail) June 2008 – February 2011

Intern Pharmacist

Processed and filled prescriptions, conducted drug utilization review, and consulted with prescribers to optimize patients’ therapy under pharmacist’s guidance.

Counseled patients on prescription and self-care products, provided excellent customer service, and assisted with third-party billing.

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Berkeley, CA (Independent) March 2010 – February 2011

Intern Pharmacist

Assisted pharmacists with various responsibilities across pharmacy workflow, including medication filling and dispensing.

Made recommendations on self-care products based on patient needs.

Consulted with patients on medications use to ensure adherence and safety.

Compounded medication using aseptic technique.

Watsons Pharmaceuticals, Corona, CA (Quality Control) August 2005 – June 2007

Senior Chemist

Prepared standard and samples solutions as required by test methods.

Performed peer reviews and maintained appropriate documentation.

Assisted in training other chemists in operating general analytical instruments during testing, including HPLC, CG, analytical balance, and pH meter.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Pharmacy, Touro University, College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA (2011)

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacologic Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA (2004)

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Pharmacist, Pharmacist State Board of California (License #66252, current)

Immunization Certification, Touro University College of Pharmacy

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Training, Seattle, WA (2013)

California Pharmacy Student Leadership (CAPSLEAD) Seminar, CAPSLEAD (2008)

PUBLICATIONS AND POSTERS

Impact of Community Pharmacies Associated with a Decreased Medicaid Federal Upper Limit. California Pharmacy Student Leadership (CAPSLEAD) Program Conference Poster. By the members of CAPSLEAD: Chaudhari D, Chio J, Edmondson LR, Fatirian B, Flemming D, Gill H, Lin V, Loi S, Mao K, Patel S, Touro University. 2008

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook), PowerChart, Cencer, DigitalRx, Pyxis

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