Exam Bulletin - Pharmacy Services Manager

California Correctional Health Care Services

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-1864

Examination Plans Included:

  • PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER: $16,207.00 - $17,528.00 (P) per Month

View the PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER classification specification.

Application Instructions

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 19 and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part-time employees are subject to the same conditions as full-time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time-base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full-time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period. 

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 12/1/2025
  • 1/2/2026
  • 2/2/2026
  • 3/2/2026
  • 4/1/2026
  • 5/1/2026
  • 6/1/2026
  • 7/1/2026
  • 8/3/2026
  • 9/1/2026
  • 10/1/2026
  • 11/2/2026
  • 12/1/2026

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1864

For PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01864

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • California Correctional Health Care Services
    Examination Services Section
    PO Box 588500, Personnel D-1
    Elk Grove, CA 95758

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

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

  • California Correctional Health Care Services
    Examination Services Section
    8280 Longleaf Drive
    Building D - Lobby Drop Box
    Elk Grove, CA 95758
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00107996 - PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a licentiate in pharmacy issued by the California Board of Pharmacy.  And

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of a Pharmacist II in the California state service.

Or II

Two years of experience performing the duties of a Pharmacist I in the California state service.

Or III

Three years of experience supervising the operation of a hospital pharmacy.

Applicants possessing the required license/certificate at the time of application must show the number, title, and expiration date on their Examination Application (Std. Form 678).

Special Personal Characteristics:  Willingness to work in a State institution; freedom from communicable disease; and willingness to travel within a geographical area.

State Civil Service Out of Class Experience:  A completion of an “out-of-class (OOC) assignment memorandum”, dated within one year of assignment completion, is required to use OOC experience to meet the minimum qualifications for examination purposes.  Employees may obtain this documentation from their Classification and Pay Analyst or institutional Personnel Liaison.  OOC experience without the required documentation cannot be considered for examination purposes.


Position Description

00107996 - PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER

In a multi-institutional setting, manages a central pharmacy and provides pharmaceutical and consultation services to other institutions; provides functional supervision for one or more fully staffed pharmacies; establishes and maintains effective policies and procedures to assure a safe and cost-effective pharmacy service; assists in the development of standardized policies and procedures for the department's pharmacy service; assists in the planning of new or remodeled institution pharmacies; coordinates the budgets of each pharmacy in the geographical area; audits pharmacy operation; provides or assists with in-service training; provides consultation to the treatment teams and the Medical Review Committees as necessary; provides consultation to Pharmacists II, as necessary; consults with Chief Medical Officers/Medical Directors regarding pharmacy service; and performs other duties as required; or

In a single State institution, manages the largest pharmacies; provides pharmaceutical and consulting services to other hospital disciplines; provides direct supervision for a fully staffed pharmacy; establishes and maintains effective policies and procedures in compliance with licensing standards; coordinates the pharmacy budget; audits pharmacy service operations for quality assurance; monitors for proper utilization of pharmaceuticals within the institution; monitors the hospital's drug distribution system; assures proper utilization of clinical pharmacy services; interprets administration and personnel policies as they apply to selection and supervision of pharmacy personnel; prepares necessary pharmacy reports for hospital administration; monitors all other hospital systems on which the pharmacy service impacts; provides consultation to the treatment teams and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; provides consultation to Pharmacists II, as necessary; and may act as regional or areawide pharmaceutical consultant; and performs other duties as required.

A large comprehensive pharmacy, as indicated in the "Definition", typically contains:

1. A minimum staff of 15 Pharmacists I and II and Pharmacy Assistants.

2. Administration of unit dosage or another complex form of repackaging and drug distribution to replace ward stock distribution.

3. A number of satellite pharmacies or medical locker units within the hospital complex for more convenient drug distribution.

4. Centralized preparation of intravenous injections for use where needed in the hospital.

5. Managed clinical services to include patient profiles with allergy assessments; drug regimen reviews; consultation with interdisciplinary teams regarding drug therapy; monitoring of patients and recommendations made to optimize the effectiveness of medications; and monitoring for appropriate medication administration.

6. Quality assurance audits of drug repackaging of solid and liquid medications and handling and storing of those medications through all stages from their receipt to final delivery to patients.

7. Through education services, a regular program of formal (and sometimes informal) training for staff, patients and relatives, and also the public regarding all phases of drug utilization. Training may consist of consultation, seminars, or lectures at community mental health centers, community hospitals, other State hospitals, and police departments, or to private physicians and pharmacists or friends and relatives of patients. Some State hospital pharmacies also provide formalized training for college students pursuing degrees in the health professions.

8. Managed drug information services and facilities to make staff aware of and able to retrieve material on new drugs, name changes, and adverse drug reactions. Information can be disseminated informally, through training programs or through technical newsletters or bulletins.

Positions exist statewide. 

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Education/ExperienceN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

  1. All licensing and accreditation standards as they relate to pharmaceutical services in State institutions;
  2. Hospital pharmacy and general hospital operation;
  3. Newer pharmaceutical technologies, such as computer systems;
  4. Several drug distribution systems to include unit dose, individual prescription, floor stock and modifications of such;
  5. Laws pertaining to dispensing and use of narcotics and poisons;
  6. Patient-oriented services;
  7. Budgeting and inventory processes;
  8. Methods used in evaluating pharmacy effectiveness and efficiency;
  9. Principles of effective supervision;
  10. The department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program objectives;
  11. A manager’s role in the EEO Program and the processes available to meet EEO objectives.

Ability to:

  1. Manage and be responsible for administering a central pharmacy;
  2. Provide leadership and functional direction to other pharmacists;
  3. Monitor for proper utilization of pharmaceuticals;
  4. Develop and direct clinical pharmacy services;
  5. Direct procurement of safe and effective pharmaceuticals;
  6. Coordinate the administration of the pharmacy budgets;
  7. Supervise and instruct others in pharmaceutical work;
  8. Keep records and prepare reports;
  9. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;
  10. Effectively contribute to the department’s EEO objectives.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the PHARMACY SERVICES MANAGER Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • California Correctional Health Care Services
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Correctional Health Care Services
Examination Services Section
PO Box 588500, Personnel D-1
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: (916) 691-5894
CPHCSSelectionServices@cdcr.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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

California Correctional Health Care Services reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)