Pharmacist I/II and Pharmacist Per Diem Pool I-IV – Hospital Pharmacy

Description

Operating under general direction of the Pharmacist Supervisor, the incumbent in this role plays a crucial part in the Ventura County Medical System by compounding and dispensing pharmaceutical preparations and supplies tailored to the specific needs of patients. In addition to these core responsibilities, they are also tasked with evaluating patient drug therapy, ensuring its efficacy and safety. Pharmacists also collaborate closely with healthcare providers to optimize treatment regimens, minimize drug interactions, and address individual patient concerns. By carrying out these duties with precision and care, the individual contributes significantly to the overall quality of patient care within the Ventura County Medical System.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Pharmacist I – This class differs from Pharmacist II in that the duties of incumbents are generally related to provision of products and associated record keeping. 

Pharmacist II – This class differs from Pharmacist I in that the incumbent is involved in the evaluation of specific patient drug therapy and writing of drug orders under facility protocol.

The Per Diem Pool (PDP) classifications are distinguished from the Regular classifications in that the incumbents in these classifications receive limited benefits. They will receive shift differential, standby and callback premium pay and will participate in the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association if they are assigned a biweekly work schedule of 64 hours or more. Incumbents hired into these positions are not guaranteed any specific number of work hours per biweekly pay period, and management has the authority to relieve them from duty when there is insufficient work.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Pharmacist I: $44.71 – $62.54 per hour

Pharmacist II: $46.80- $68.85 per hour

Pharmacist-PDP I: $49.60 per hour

Pharmacist-PDP II: $55.80 per hour

Pharmacist-PDP III: $67.81 per hour

Pharmacist-PDP IV: $73.12 per hour

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

MARKET-BASED PREMIUM PAY: Upon recommendation of the Director Health Care Agency, the Director-Human Resources may approve a market-based premium pay (MBPP) from $11.00 up to $21.00 per hour (depending on job assignment) for Regular Pharmacist incumbents.

NOTE: Pharmacist – Per Diem Pool incumbents are not eligible for MBPP. 

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVES: Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. 

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Health Care Agency – VCMC

Pharmacist I/II and Pharmacist-PDP I-IV are represented by the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, Per Diem Pool, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There are currently three (3) Intermittent and/or Per Diem Pool vacancies.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 

OPENING DATE: 4/10/2024 

CLOSING DATE: 4/25/2024

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Pharmacist I

• Reviews prescriber medication orders for completeness and appropriateness (with respect to disease state, dosage, route of administration, drug compatibilities, contraindications, etc.) to assure optimal patient care and consults with the prescriber directly when necessary;
• Compounds, prepares, and dispenses non-hazardous and hazardous medications including chemotherapy, solutions, and supplies or supervises technicians in the performance of such duties;
• Performs monthly unit inspection of nursing stations for proper storage of medication and supplies and for outdated medications and supplies;
• Receives, dispenses, and keeps accurate record of all controlled substances activities;
• Assures that all Medical Center and regulatory requirements are met regarding medication documentation;
• Provides medication consultation at patient bedside for discharge;
• Documents and records all clinically-significant drug reactions; reports all serious or unusual reactions to the drug manufacturer and to the FDA;
• Participates in department quality assurance activities; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Pharmacist II and Pharmacist PDP I-IV

In addition to the above, Pharmacist II and Pharmacist-PDP I-IV duties may include:

• Maintains up-to-date patient medication profiles on all inpatients;
• Participates in various activities evaluating patient drug therapy such as drug utilization review and audits as directed by the Pharmacy Director;
• Participates in pharmacy-sponsored nursing and medical in-services;
• When requested, writes drug therapy orders following facility-approved protocol;
• Interviews and counsels patients regarding the correct use of medications;
• Provides consultation to other health care providers regarding clinical use of drugs;
• Precepts pharmacy students; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

Requires a pharmaceutical degree, Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy from an accredited school of pharmacy; and 

Pharmacist-PDP I

No experience

Pharmacist I

Some work experience in inpatient and/or outpatient pharmacy practice.

Pharmacist-PDP II

A minimum of a combination of one (1) month of recent hospital/clinical/outpatient/inpatient and retail pharmacy experience.

Pharmacist-PDP III

A minimum of a combination of two (2) months of recent hospital/clinical/outpatient/inpatient and retail pharmacy experience.

Pharmacist II and Pharmacist Per Diem Pool IV

A minimum of a combination of four (4) months of recent hospital/clinical/outpatient/inpatient and retail pharmacy experience.

The required pharmacy experience must be experience obtained after obtaining the Pharmacist license in the State of California.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of California license as a Pharmacist.

DESIRED

Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited School of Pharmacy

Completion of PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program

Hospital pharmacy experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Pharmacist I-II

Thorough knowledge of: prescription filling activities, unit dose systems, IV compounding systems, dose titration, parenteral nutrition, pharmacology, pathophysiology, medical and pharmacy literature, pharmacokinetics (Pharmacist II), and applied therapeutics (Pharmacist II).

Working ability to: Pharmacist I – file medicinal prescriptions or hospital orders; operate a computer; communicate effectively; and supervise technicians. Pharmacist II – Conduct in-services and participate in training programs for nursing and medical staff and fellow pharmacists; evaluate patient drug therapy; interview patients; and operate a computer.

Pharmacist I-IV PDP

Thorough knowledge of: unit dose system, IV compounding systems, dose titration, and parenteral nutrition; pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pathophysiology, and applied therapeutics; and current medical and pharmacy literature.

Working ability to: conduct in-services and participate in training programs for nursing and medical staff and fellow pharmacists; communicate effectively; supervise technicians; evaluate patient drug therapy; interview patients; and operate a computer.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date of April 25th, 2024.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another “merit” or “civil service” public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a “merit” or “civil service” style examination, then appointment by “Lateral Transfer” may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant’s qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION – 100%

A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by an applicant, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the applicant meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Applicants are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of applicants is exceptionally strong, many qualified applicants may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low.

NOTE: In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

ORAL EXAMINATION: A job-related Oral Examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, a T&E/Oral Exam will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura 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.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Brett Ramirez by e-mail at Brett.Ramirez@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2277. 

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ’s (Download PDF reader)
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

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