What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHARMACIST I, DEPARTMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES position at Department of State Hospitals?
Department of State Hospitals
PHARMACIST I, DEPARTMENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
$12,196.00 - $14,521.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 6/25/2026
Job Description and Duties
The permanent/full time Pharmacist I will be directed by the Pharmacist II in the Pharmacy at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:
Drug Distribution
- Provide functional supervision for Pharmacy Technicians in their day-to-day duties to ensure productivity and accuracy of Pharmacy operations.
- Ensure the accurate distribution of unit dose medications, controlled substances, floor stock, and special handling medications to all units.
- Maintain complete patient medication profiles and drug allergies.
- Review and validate physician orders against complete patient profiles.
- Dispense discharge patient prescriptions in accordance with applicable State and Federal Laws.
- Inspect and validate accurate labels for all medications dispensed from the pharmacy that comply with all professional and legal standards.
- Inspect and verify medication sent from outside sources to patients for their personal use in cases when adherence is critical, and Pharmacy cannot obtain medications in a timely manner.
- Inspect and restock the after-hours Night Locker on a daily basis.
- Perform monthly medication room and clinic inspections.
- Maintain accurate records for all federally and hospital Controlled substances including:
- Accurate inventory of Scheduled II – V medications weekly.
- Ensure accurate count received from the pharmaceutical wholesaler.
- Daily inspection of controlled substances issued to the units.
- Medication variance and adverse drug reaction evaluation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Perform drug regimen review and offer potential interventions to physicians when identified.
- Assist in medication use evaluations by collecting and analyzing data and providing reports for improvement.
- Provide patient education through medication management groups.
- Patient discharge consultations.
-
Provide professional staff with medication training and education through both verbal and written efforts in the form of presentation for:
- Staff in-service education
- Nursing education
- Respond verbally or in writing to drug information requests and consults.
- Effective evaluation of medical and pharmaceutical literature.
- Participate in relevant continuing education programs to maintain and increase personal professional competence.
- Develop/implement/participate in patient disease management clinics.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.
If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.
Working Conditions
- This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).
Position Details
Department Information
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Atascadero
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Pharmacist License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
- All Employment Applications must include: “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year); time base; and civil service class titles (if applicable). Employment Applications received without this information may be rejected. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed Employment Application (STD. 678).
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 6/25/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Benefits
- Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
- Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
- Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
- Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
- School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Commute Program
- Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
- ScholarShare (college savings account)
- On-the-job training and professional development
- Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards
These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Atascadero
Human Resources Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
ASHEmployment@dsh.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
Pearl.Melena@dsh.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.
Additional Information
- Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
- Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
- Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
- Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
- Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
- Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
- This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
- This position requires candidates to take and pass a drug screening test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.
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.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free 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.
Salary : $12,196 - $14,521