Chief Pharmacist - Correctional Health Services

Chief Pharmacist Correctional Health Services

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Chief Pharmacist positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange. This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days. It will remain open on a continuous basis and will close at 11:59 PM (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Deadline for the first round of consideration will be Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

The Correctional Health Services (CHS) Division consists of the following service areas: Adult Correctional Health Services (ACHS) and Juvenile Health Services (JHS). Adult Correctional Health Services provides medical, dental, nursing, infection control, health education and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care and also provides mental health services, including 24-hour emergency triage and crisis intervention, suicide prevention, treatment beds, individual and group therapy, substance use counseling, medication assessment and discharge planning to all adult inmates in the County's five (5) correctional facilities. Juvenile Health Services (JHS) provides medical, nursing, dental and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care for youth who reside in the County's four residential facilities operated by County of Orange Probation (OC Probation) and Social Services Agency (SSA) departments and contracts with hospitals for inpatient and specialty care.

HCA is seeking a qualified individual to perform the duties of a Chief Pharmacist within CHS. The Chief Pharmacist reports to the CHS Director of Pharmacy Services. This position provides support to the Director of Pharmacy to oversee the pharmacy operations of the Adult CHS and JHS and will be a key resource for pharmaceutical activities across designated facilities. The Chief Pharmacist also responds to County disasters. Responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing guidance to professional, nonprofessional, and paraprofessional staff
• Offering professional recommendations regarding the selection and use of pharmaceuticals, as well as administrative and budgetary matters impacting pharmacy services
• Implementing and interpreting established pharmacy policies and procedures and developing facility-specific protocols under the direction and oversight of the Pharmacy Manager
• Evaluating existing practices and provides recommendations for revisions to support safe, compliant, and effective pharmaceutical services across designated facilities
• Providing technical supervision and assistance to support staff in the performance of pharmaceutical duties and performing other administrative duties as required

The ideal candidate will have five (5) years of experience as a registered pharmacist, including some leadership and/or supervisory experience. The ideal candidate will also have experience working in a hospital or correctional health setting as a registered pharmacist. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in the following competencies:

• Principle standards, laws, and regulations associated with pharmacy operations
• Federal and state laws pertaining to the dispensing and the use of prescription drugs including controlled substances
• Evaluating and developing pharmacy procedures, protocols, and operations
• Preparing written materials concerning pharmacy program improvements
• Composition, storage, and uses of drugs
• Practicing safe dispensary practices and procedures
• Planning and coordinating pharmacy services for public health clinics and disaster medical caches
• Compounding of prescriptions and pharmaceutical preparations
• Purchasing pharmaceutical supplies and inventory
• Maintaining records for purchasing, quality control, and dispensing per standards
• Using computer databases and Microsoft Office Suite programs proficiently

• Providing general and technical supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff in the performance of a variety of pharmacy-related activities
• Training and developing staff to ensure that they understand and follow proper procedures and protocols
• Providing advice and direction as needed to medical and nursing staff on the proper and economic use of drugs and alternative types of drugs and medicines
• Acting as a resource for staff to troubleshoot problems and acting as a consultant
• Serving as a technical expert and resource for pharmaceutical matters
• Establishing and clearly communicating performance goals and expectations to staff, implementing policies and procedures consistently, delegating appropriately, and using accountability measures fairly
• Administering performance evaluations and discipline in a fair and consistent manner, in consultation and collaboration with Human Resources Services
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and supporting policy implementation

• Using diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or people
• Maintaining regular communication with the Director of Pharmacy to keep them apprised of staff work, status of ongoing projects, policy changes or any issues that may impact work productivity
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with internal departments, external agencies, and community organizations

• Communicating accurately to convey both substance and intent, and adeptly communicating sensitive matters
• Presenting and advocating facts, ideas, and complex material clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively both in person and in writing

Special Qualifications/Requirements:

• Incumbents must NOT have felony convictions or be on any form of probation
• Must be able to pass and maintain background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner and Probation. Background screening includes completing a Personal History Form, interview with a background investigator, fingerprinting and may include a polygraph test. Some of the areas considered in the background screening include prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use and credit problems, employment history, professional references, and education verification (i.e., degree, license, or official transcripts. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.)
• Correctional Health Services facilities operate 24 hours per day, 7 days a week; Incumbents must be able to work assigned shifts, including days, swing, graveyard, holidays, weekends, and holidays

Minimum Qualifications: Please click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Chief Pharmacist position as well as the physical, mental, and environmental working conditions.

Recruitment Process: Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After the initial screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | Oral Exam (Weighted 100%): The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference: The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Reasonable Accommodation: The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.