Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services

Job Description:

Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services

Description

The Position

Why join the Contra Costa Health Services Department?

Contra Costa Health is offering an excellent opportunity for one (1) Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services within Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP).

CCHP is a federally qualified, state-licensed, and county-sponsored Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) serving Contra Costa County in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1973, CCHP was the first county-sponsored HMO in the United States and today serves as the largest managed care health plan in Contra Costa County, covering more than 250,000 residents.

CCHP is committed to providing equitable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to our culturally and linguistically diverse members.

The Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services will provide leadership and strategic oversight of pharmacy operations, pharmacy benefit management, formulary development, clinical pharmacy programs, and regulatory compliance across Medi-Cal and Medicare D-SNP lines of business. The position will also oversee the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), to ensure all contractual, operational, clinical, and compliance requirements are met. In addition, the Assistant Director will be responsible for monitoring pharmacy-related quality measures, identifying improvement opportunities, and supporting initiatives that enhance medication safety, adherence, and quality performance.

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS), the broader health system in which CCHP is housed, is the largest department in Contra Costa County with more than 4,000 employees. CCHS provides integrated healthcare services and functions as the safety net for low-income and uninsured residents across the county

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strong communicator
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Adaptable and solution-focused
• Knowledgeable in regulatory & compliance requirements
• Skilled in delegation oversight

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Overseeing all pharmacy operations for CCHP, including benefit management, formulary work, clinical programs, and support for both Medi-Cal and Medicare D-SNP members
• Leading and managing the relationship with the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), to ensure they meet all contractual, operational, and compliance expectations, and addressing issues quickly when they arise
• Guiding the development, review, and updating of the health plan’s formulary, ensuring decisions are evidence-based, cost-effective, and aligned with regulatory and clinical standards
• Monitoring key pharmacy quality measures (such as medication adherence, safety indicators, and Medicare Part D measures) and driving improvement efforts across internal teams and PBM partners
• Ensuring CCHP’s pharmacy programs comply with all Medi-Cal, CMS, and state regulatory requirements, preparing for audits, responding to findings, and keeping policies and processes current
• Collaborating with Medical Directors, Quality, Finance, IT, and Operations to solve pharmacy-related issues, support care management, and improve member and provider experience
• Analyzing pharmacy trends and financial data to identify cost drivers, forecast needs, recommend strategies, and support budget planning
• Providing leadership and support to pharmacy staff and clinical programs, helping shape strategy, setting priorities, and strengthening the overall pharmacy function within the health plan

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work alongside passionate professionals who are committed to health equity, community wellness, and improving outcomes for underserved populations
• The department embraces innovation in public health, including integrated care models and data-driven approaches to improving outcomes for high-risk populations
• You will shape the pharmacy strategy for one of California’s oldest and most mission-driven public health plans, helping improve care for more than 250,000 members.
• You will have the opportunity to build and strengthen pharmacy programs, from formulary management to quality initiatives, while working with leaders who value innovation and collaboration

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working in high-stress situations
• Navigating complex Medi-Cal and Medicare D-SNP requirements while keeping up with frequent regulatory changes that directly affect pharmacy operations
• Balancing cost containment with member access, especially when high-cost drugs, new therapies, and specialty trends create financial pressure

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience overseeing or collaborating with a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), including delegation oversight, audits, and managing contractual performance management
• Strong background in managed care pharmacy, especially Medi-Cal, Medicare Part D, or D-SNP
• Knowledge of pharmacy-related quality programs, including adherence measures, MTM programs, medication safety initiatives, and CMS Star Ratings
• Experience developing or managing formularies, P&T processes, clinical criteria, and utilization management programs
• Ability to analyze pharmacy data and financial trends, including cost drivers, utilization patterns, and forecasting
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements from DHCS, CMS, NCQA, and other oversight bodies
• Experience in Epic Electronic Health Record

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Industry Monitoring: Grasping the external political, economic, competitive, and social factors affecting the industry
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: www.cccounty.us/hr

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months and may be used by other divisions.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid Pharmacist license issued by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy or a Doctor Degree in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited school of pharmacy.

Experience: Three years of full-time experience or its equivalent as a licensed Pharmacist, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity in an acute care hospital.

Substitution: One year of full-time experience or its equivalent at a level equivalent to Pharmacist II or Health Plan Pharmacy Manager in Contra Costa County may substitute for the year of required supervisory experience.

Selection Process

Selection Process:

1. Application Filing and Evaluation : All applicants must apply online at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date. Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of filing. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Virtual Oral Interview: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online video assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Action & Results Focused, Influencing, Customer Focused. (Weighted 100%)

Tentative Exam Dates

Online Oral Interview: January 21-25 , 2026

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org . For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 1/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$186,396.94 - $226,566.65 Annually