Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 6/21/2024
• 7/5/2024
• 7/19/2024
• 8/2/2024
• 8/16/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 9/20/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 10/18/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 11/15/2024
• 12/6/2024
• 12/20/2024

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.

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):

• PHARMACIST I, DEPARTMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

2133

For PHARMACIST I, DEPARTMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02133

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:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

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:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  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.

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

• License - License

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.

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.

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a licentiate in pharmacy issued by the State Board of Pharmacy. (Individuals in their final semester of an accredited school of pharmacy or have graduated from an accredited school of pharmacy may be admitted to the exam, however, they must secure a valid certificate of registration as a licentiate in pharmacy before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Applicants must submit their exam application AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period.  For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8^th, 2024 (which is after the July 5^th, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by July 19^th, 2024.  Filing Cut-Off Dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

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

Complete and submit the following items with your application. These will be scored and count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items will result in disqualification from the examination.

Pharmacist I, Departments of Mental Health and Dev: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9WCW7FP

Click the above link to take the exam after you have submitted your application.  Exam responses must be received with the corresponding cut-off date as your application.

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 compounding of prescriptions and stock pharmaceutical preparations; drugs, chemicals, and pharmaceutical supplies required in the operation of a dispensary; laws pertaining to dispensing and use of narcotics and poisons; principles of effective supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 Ability to compound prescriptions and stock pharmaceutical preparations; supervise the work of others; keep records and prepare reports; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; assimilate and provide information on drugs and their actions; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the PHARMACIST I, DEPARTMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES Classification will be established for:

• Department of State Hospitals

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.

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.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

1. Prepare and dispense drugs and pharmaceuticals utilizing a packaging machine (e.g., automated dispensing units, packaging machines, unit dosing, traditional vial) in order to dispense medications to patients.
2. Compound intravenous (I.V.) and other drugs and pharmaceuticals to be dispensed to patients upon request utilizing common compounding tools.
3. Evaluate and approve physician’s orders utilizing the pharmacy computer operating system to consider a variety of clinical and other issues (e.g., the quantity of medications to put in, what specific medications to put in, facility guidelines, clarity and completeness of order, length of therapy).
4. Perform proper handling and education of cytotoxic medications to ensure health and safety utilizing knowledge and training.
5. Perform clinical reviews of patient charts and medication regimens to ensure safety and appropriate use of medication utilizing case-specific information.
6. Establish monitoring programs for high risk medications (e.g., clozapine, anticoagulant medications) to ensure safety and efficacy of the treatment utilizing an electronic monitoring system.
7. Monitor, evaluate, and report medication errors or adverse drug reactions to minimize and/or remove such errors from all facets of the medication distribution system.
8. Assist in the formation and development of Drug Use Evaluations (DUE) in order to ensure the appropriate use of drugs utilizing information from various sources (e.g., literature, lab reports, professional standards).
9. Consult with patients at discharge from the facility regarding the importance of medications and their correct usage to maintain health during and after their stay.
10. Prepare and deliver nursing education lecture presentations for the purposes of providing professional staff with information on various products (e.g. I.V. systems, automated dispensing machinery, medication education).
11. Assimilate and disseminate results of Drug Regimen Review (DRR) data collection to ensure correct and effective patient treatment minimizing adverse reactions (to optimize treatment) utilizing laboratory resources.
12. Maintain accountability of all controlled substances within the pharmacy to ensure proper dispensing of controlled substances, accurate ordering, receipt, and preparation of medications. 
13. Conduct periodic (e.g., monthly, annual) inspection of controlled substances issued to the units to ensure accurate inventory of all controlled substances to minimize the loss and/or theft of controlled substances.
14. Maintain computerized patient medication profiles to provide a complete medication history utilizing the pharmacy computer operating system.
15. Review physicians medication orders for various interactions (e.g., potential allergy, Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI), DrugFood Interaction (DFI)) in order to fill the most therapeutically correct medication order.
16. Compound sterile intravenous (I.V.) products as prescribed by an authorized prescriber in order to deliver medication utilizing proper aseptic technique, I.V. compounding references, and I.V. products/equipment.
17. Dispense medication for patient use via the Pharmacy unit dose system, floor stock system, or automated dispensing cabinets.
18. Verify that labeling for all medication leaving the pharmacy complies with all professional and legal standards to ensure compliance with medication utilizing the pharmacy computer operating system. 
19. Restock and inspect all medication storage areas (e.g., after-hours Night Locker, emergency supplies, satellite pharmacies) to ensure proper supplies are maintained.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and supplies required in the practice of a pharmacy.
2. Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo, which includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
3. Knowledge of laws pertaining to the dispensing and use of drugs and pharmaceuticals required in the practice of a pharmacy.
4. Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, which includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
5. Knowledge of the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program objectives to ensure and maintain efficient workflow and productivity.
6. Knowledge of correct methods for controlling the spread of pathogens appropriate to job class and assignment.
7. Knowledge of any unique requirement (e.g., dosage adjustment, disease state) of medications used in the geriatric and adult populations.
8. Knowledge of psychopharmacology to ensure proper use of medication.
9. Knowledge of disease-specific treatments to ensure proper care of patient.
10. Knowledge of electronic medication ordering systems to ensure accuracy in storage and transmission of information.
11. Knowledge of the drug distribution system (including automated systems) to optimize pharmaceutical care.
12. Knowledge of Drug Use Evaluations (DUE) in order to evaluate the effectiveness (e.g., efficacy, side effects) of medication usage.
13. Ability to keep records (e.g., patient profiles) to ensure compliance with State Licensing, Administrative Directives, departmental policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
14. Ability to prepare reports to ensure compliance with State Licensing, Administrative Directives, departmental policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
15. Ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate situations or problems to determine and implement appropriate courses of action.
16. Ability to provide information on medications to patients and other healthcare professionals in order to optimize the use of medication.
17. Ability to perform aseptic technique required to compound sterile intravenous (I.V.) solutions.
18. Ability to review new physician orders prior to dispensing to the patient to ensure completeness, clinical appropriateness, and minimize and/or remove errors.
19. Ability to conduct medication room inspection to comply with the State Board of Pharmacy and Licensing.
20. Ability to complete various clinical tasks (e.g., medication profile screening, patient lab review) involved in Medication Therapy Management (MTM)) to maintain effective treatment.

• Department of State Hospitals

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

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.

Department of State Hospitals 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.