Clinical Operations Section Chief

Pharmaceutical Program Consultant

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 View email address on click.appcast.io, 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 Duty Statement.