Pharmaceutical Consultant, Department of Health Services Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 26, 1972

Scope

This series specification describes four professional pharmaceutical consultant classes used in the Department of Health Services.

Definition of Series

The pharmaceutical consultant classes describe four levels used by the Department of Health Services. Incumbents in this series provide consultation to physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, staff members, and other interested parties on the pharmaceutical aspects of medical care programs and health care delivery systems. Incumbents in this series may also be responsible for reviewing drug treatment authorization requests in the Medi-Cal Program; developing policies, procedures, and regulations for the implementation and maintenance of programs providing pharmaceutical services; evaluating the quality, nature, and scope of pharmaceutical benefits provided under the Medi-Cal Program; reviewing and monitoring drug utilization under the Medi-Cal Program; evaluating the quality, nature of scope of drug distribution, and administration in facilities licensed by the Department of Health Services; and providing staff assistance to the Medical Therapeutics and Drug Advisory Committee.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety and complexity of work, independence of action, and supervision received and exercised serve as differentiating factors between individual classes.

Definition of Levels

Pharmaceutical Consultant I, Department of Health Services

This is the journeyperson level in this series. Incumbents in this class either (1) in a field office, provide a full range of consultation services to staff consultants, physicians, nurses, fiscal intermediary representatives, and others as the services apply to the Medi-Cal Program and to facilities licensed by the Department of Health Services; review and monitor drug utilization under the Medi-Cal Program, including on-site review of pharmacy providers; and independently evaluate and approve or deny a full range of drug treatment authorization requests in the Medi-Cal Program; in the Audits and Investigations field office program, may occasionally assist in developing policies through participation on departmental task forces; or (2) in a headquarters office, assist in evaluating the quality and scope of pharmaceutical benefits; assist in monitoring drug utilization in medical care programs; provide advice and guidance to departments, agencies, and local jurisdictions throughout the State on the nature and scope of pharmaceutical services provided under medical care programs.

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Specialist)

Incumbents at this level function as staff specialists who develop policies for pharmaceutical services and benefits provided under medical care programs of the Department of Health Services; coordinate the development and promulgation of Department policies and regulations regarding the administration and reimbursement of drug-related programs and services and prescribing, procuring, manufacturing, and dispersing drugs; analyze legislation and make recommendations; prepare cost containment proposals and serve as consultants on critical issues within the Department of Health Services. In the licensing and certification function of the Department, incumbents are assigned a geographical area with multiple district offices and provide guidance and consulting services to staff and health facilities' operators on drugs and drug utilization, pharmacy practice, and pharmaceutical services which are required in health facilities including administrative, distributive, and clinical functions.

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Supervisory)

This level is first-line supervisor of at least three field office Pharmaceutical Consultants I who (1) monitor the pharmaceutical services component of the Medi-Cal Program to ascertain provider abuse and/or fraud and to initiate appropriate corrective action with other appropriate State agencies; (2) develop recommendations on technical policy changes legislation, or cost containment pertaining to pharmacy audits; (3) determine compliance of Drug Treatment Authorization Requests with Title 22, California Code of Regulations; or (4) evaluate the quality, nature, and scope of drug distribution and administration in facilities licensed by the Department of Health Services.

Pharmaceutical Program Consultant, Department of Health Services

This is the Department's highest level pharmaceutical consultant in this series, wherein the incumbents at this level serve as chief pharmaceutical consultant within the Department's major programs; give professional advice and guidance to the Department's executive staff and other agencies on matters relating to the scope and quality of pharmaceutical benefits and/or services; develop and refine pharmaceutical policy; interpret and evaluate Federal and State legislation relating to the scope of medical benefits and/or services. The incumbents at this level also have responsibility over subordinate staff.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of a valid certification of registration in pharmacy issued by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical Consultant I, Department of Health Services

One year of experience (exclusive of internship) within the last five years in the practice of community or hospital pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Specialist)

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Supervisory)

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of a Pharmaceutical Consultant I, Department of Health Services.

Or II

Three years of experience within the last five years in the practice of community or hospital pharmacy (exclusive of internship) including one year of administrative, supervisory, or consultant experience either as owner or manager of a pharmacy, in a public health or welfare agency, or as a Chief Pharmacist in a medical clinic or hospital. (Experience as a registered pharmacist in teaching, research, or drug manufacturing may be substituted for up to one year of the required general experience.)

Pharmaceutical Program Consultant, Department of Health Services

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of a Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services (Specialist) or a Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services (Supervisory).

Or II

Four years of experience performing the duties of a Pharmaceutical Consultant I, Department of Health Services.

Or III

Five years of experience within the last seven years in the practice of community or hospital pharmacy (exclusive of internship) including at least three years of administrative, consultative, or supervisory experience in a public or private health insurance program as a licensed pharmacist responsible for the specialized review of pharmacy-related issues. The experience must provide the high level of skill required to manage a broad range of administrative and pharmacy-related issues associated with the Medi-Cal Program.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Drugs and medical supplies required in the operation of a pharmacy; pharmaceutical chemistry; drug utilization; pharmacy economics; drug purchasing, pricing, and inventory control; principles of statistics; medical care administration; pharmaceutical manufacturing methods and drug distribution; interrelationships of Federal, State, and local professional and voluntary health and welfare agencies, and of programs and services of such agencies.

Ability to: Recognize, assess, and develop solutions to problems involved in the pharmaceutical aspects of medical care programs; evaluate the quality and scope of pharmaceutical services provided under the program; interpret and apply policies and standards for the pharmaceutical aspects of medical care programs; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; report on the effects of proposed changes in the pharmaceutical aspects of the programs; communicate effectively.

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Specialist)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and policies, standards, and regulations applicable to the Department's pharmaceutical programs.

Ability to: Formulate policies and standards for the pharmaceutical aspects of medical care programs.

Pharmaceutical Consultant II, Department of Health Services

(Supervisory)

Pharmaceutical Program Consultant, Department of Health Services

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of effective supervision; the Department's Equal Employment Program objectives; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, coordinate, direct, and evaluate the work of others; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Special Requirements

All Levels:

Willingness to travel.

Class History