Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today!

About this Role:

The Pharmaceutical Program Consultant (PPC) in the Clinical Operations Section of the Pharmacy Benefits Division, serves as the Medi-Cal program’s chief pharmaceutical consultant giving professional advice and guidance to the Department’s executive staff and other agencies on matters relating to the scope, quality and implementation of Medi-Cal pharmaceutical benefits under Medicaid and other programs (i.e., Office of Family Planning, California Childrens Services, etc.); evaluates drug utilization and advises on clinically sound Utilization Management (UM) of pharmacy benefits for specific programs. Oversees California's Drug Use Review (DUR) program in partnership with pharmacy benefit Fiscal Intermediary (FI), subject matter experts within Department or Agency and a contracted academic institution, to ensure safe and effective use of medications. Assists with coordinating and delegating responsibilities for maintaining efficient operations by facilitating timely and accurate Medi-Cal Rx secondary review of Prior Authorization (PA) and Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) adjudications; and consults with, advises and represents the Division and Section in matters pertaining to program policy and operations. The PPC serves as the supervising pharmacist for the Pharmaceutical Consultant II’s in the Division. Travel and/or overnight travel will be required to attend conferences five percent or less of the time.

NOTE: To be considered for this Job Opportunity, applicants must have permanent civil service status, be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you do not have eligibility, you will need to take the exam. Currently the exam for this classification is not being given, however, if you are interested, please apply to this job control anyway.

Temporary Appointments may be considered for this vacancy, for candidates who meet the classification minimum qualifications. Such appointments may become permanent provided the selected candidate obtains a reachable rank on the associated examination.  Please see below for more information.

This position is subject to the Department’s Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming this position, annually by April 1, and when leaving this position.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact  Recruit@dhcs.ca.gov , we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

This job control has been posted as "until filled".  Applications will be reviewed on the following internal cut-off dates until a hire has been made: 3/11/26, 3/25/26, 4/8/26

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Pharmacists License License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

A current California Pharmacist License (valid certification of registration in pharmacy issued by the California State Board of Pharmacy) is required.  Please upload a copy of your license to this job control for verification of the minimum qualifications (MQ's).

Simple Application Steps

If you are interested in this position, complete the following simple steps:

1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Pharmaceutical Program Consultant, Department of Health Services (Specialist) . See the Minimum Requirements section above.
2. Complete the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
3. Submit your application package with all required documents, see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Temporary Appointments may be considered if conditions warrant. Temporary Appointments may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. Temporary Appointments may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent appointment.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Health Care Services

Mailing

Attn: Certification Technician - JC-509713

M.S. 1300

P.O. Box 997411

Sacramento , CA 95899-7411

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Health Care Services

Drop-Off

Certification Section JC-509713

1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501

Sacramento , CA 95814

Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Full benefits information can be found on .

provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence.

We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey: .

This survey is not required to be considered for this position.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Katie Kellinger
(916) 345-7613
katie.kellinger@dhcs.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 440-7370
civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Telework Information

Statewide Positions:

Currently the DHCS standard for hybrid work is a minimum of two days per week in-person and site-based and up to three teleworking days per week in accordance with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 – 14203.  This position may be eligible for telework up to five days a week, contingent on operational business needs.  The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change.

The selected candidate will be assigned an available DHCS office closest to their residence prior to their start date.  The selected candidate will be required to report to their assigned DHCS office and other DHCS locations as needed.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

For a list of possible DHCS office assignment locations, please reference the reporting location document attached to the duty statement on this job advertisement.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement

Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Work at office, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Night shift, 2 days per week, 3 days per week

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