PHARMACEUTICAL CONSULTANT
New Jersey classifies Pharmaceutical Consultant as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
Qualifying takes a doctoral degree, 2 years of relevant experience, and a professional license. The FY2027 range lands between $91,628 and $134,900.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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How to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Medical Consultant, Chief Pharmaceutical Services or other supervisory official, as a licensed Pharmacist, is responsible for provision of pharmaceutical consultative services required to implement the pharmaceutical services aspects of all department programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and PAAD programs; ensures pharmaceutical services provided by the department meet all applicable regulatory and legal requirements as set forth by State and federal agencies; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Provides professional pharmaceutical consultant services and oversight of the pharmaceutical services aspect of the health services program in the region or area designated by the department.
- Develops appropriate provider communications through newsletters, alerts, and remittance advice messages, as they apply to the administration of policies and procedures related to department pharmaceutical services.
- Confers with pharmacists and providers of medical supplies and equipment relative to interpretation of the program.
- Provides consultation to staff and providers regarding medical supplies and durable medical equipment.
- Refers items requiring prior approval, authorization, or review which cannot be acted on locally due to possible conflict of interest to the district office director or designee to arrange for a final disposition.
- Provides consultation to professional and clerical staff assigned to assist with utilization review as auditing of pharmaceutical services furnished by eligible recipients.
- Identifies and maintains a roster of local medical-surgical supplies for use by eligible recipients.
- Reviews financial analyses performed by the contracted agent for the maintenance of financial projections and rate setting for the NJ Medicaid program.
- Establishes and maintains liaison and interprets the pharmaceutical services aspect of the Medicaid program to staff of the Medicaid District Offices, staff of the County Welfare Boards or agencies, and staff of district offices of the Department of Children and Families; provides consultation and advice accordingly.
- Establishes and maintains liaison and interprets the pharmaceutical services aspect of the Medicare Part D program to staff of the County Offices on Aging; provides consultation and advice accordingly.
- Reviews Managed Care Organization (MCO) formulary updates and pharmacy-related contractual issues regarding beneficiary access to pharmaceutical benefits.
- Assists beneficiaries and pharmacy providers with the coordination of benefits between Medicare Part D, Third Party Liability, Medicaid, and other state/federal programs; assesses Medicare Part D formulary limitations to maximize coordination of benefits for beneficiaries.
- Collaborates in the development of State Plan Amendments and submits required annual reporting for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Confers with pharmacists and peer review committees of local Pharmaceutical Associations regarding all aspects of the pharmaceutical services program and participates in evaluating questionable practices, complaints of pharmacists and/or recipients, or unusual cases.
- Oversees the NJ Drug Utilization Review Board (DURB), its protocols, and standards for the State's claims processing system for pharmaceutical services.
- Performs activities in accordance with department/division policies and procedures to promote effective monitoring and control of appropriate utilization of pharmaceutical services; collaborates with the department, state auditors, and state/federal fraud divisions to provide information and reports.
- Participates with department/division staff in the further development, analysis, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and methods of providing pharmaceutical and health services to recipients; responds to legislative proposals containing pharmaceutical-related issues for the State.
- Continuously reviews the quality and quantity of pharmaceutical services provided to Medicaid recipients and others who receive department services by evaluation of printouts or profiles of recipients, pharmacists, and/or prescriptions to determine evidence of abuse, overuse, and/or appropriateness of services; conducts onsite inspections of prescriptions, invoice costs of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment to determine adherence to price or costing provisions of the Health Services Program.
- Recommends to the pertinent department/division official suggested changes in policies and procedures based on local operational experiences.
- Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for all state and federal pharmaceutical assistance programs, including but not limited to Medicare Part D, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PADD), and Medicaid; serves as the state SME and liaison for the development, modification, and/or replacement of management information systems for Medicaid, PADD, and other pharmaceutical programs.
- Participates in training programs for staff members of the department/division concerning the pharmaceutical services aspect of the Medicaid Program and other programs administered by the department and its agencies.
- Participates in appeal hearings concerning pharmaceutical providers as well as recipients.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college, university, or School of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience as a Registered Pharmacist which shall have included two (2) years of experience with a large public health program, health carrier, hospital, and/or retail pharmacy.
License
Possession of a valid license as a Registered Pharmacist issued by the State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical practices and procedures.
- Ability to organize assigned work, analyze pharmaceutical and related problems, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to work as a member of a team designed to improve pharmaceutical services provided to welfare recipients and the medically needy in the state.
- Ability to understand and interpret established pharmaceutical procedures in relation to specific cases.
- Ability to provide technical assistance to department staff.
- Ability to establish and maintain liaison between department facilities including district offices and local Pharmaceutical Society or societies and the staff of County Welfare Boards or agencies.
- Ability to conduct conferences with peer review and other committees.
- Ability to effectively monitor and control appropriate utilization of pharmaceutical and health services to recipients.
- Ability to conduct onsite inspections of prescriptions and medical supplies and equipment.
- Ability to make recommendations to pertinent department/division officials.
- Ability to participate in training programs for staff members.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.