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Express Scripts Pharmacist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Express Scripts Pharmacist information

See California salary details

$27

$60

$73

How much do express scripts pharmacist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for express scripts pharmacist in California is $60.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55.29 and $66.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Express Scripts Pharmacist?

To thrive as an Express Scripts Pharmacist, you need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, a current pharmacist license, and strong knowledge of clinical pharmacy and managed care practices. Familiarity with pharmacy benefit management (PBM) systems, medication therapy management software, and claims processing platforms is crucial. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities help pharmacists interact effectively with patients, healthcare providers, and internal teams. These skills are essential to ensure safe, accurate medication dispensing, effective benefit management, and high-quality customer care.

What is an Express Scripts Pharmacist?

An Express Scripts Pharmacist is a licensed professional who reviews and processes prescriptions for accuracy and compliance, provides medication counseling, and ensures patient safety. They work in a mail-order or specialty pharmacy setting, collaborating with healthcare providers to optimize medication therapy. Their responsibilities often include verifying prescriptions, preventing drug interactions, and supporting patients with chronic conditions by offering guidance on medication usage.

What does a typical workday look like for an Express Scripts Pharmacist?

A typical workday for an Express Scripts Pharmacist involves reviewing and verifying prescription orders, counseling patients over the phone, collaborating with healthcare providers, and conducting medication utilization reviews. Pharmacists regularly use technology for order processing and documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The role often includes problem-solving complex prescription or insurance issues and supporting patients in optimizing their medication therapy. Teamwork is a vital aspect, as pharmacists coordinate with pharmacy technicians, customer service, and clinical teams to deliver efficient, patient-focused service. This environment is fast-paced and dynamic, offering both structure and opportunities to expand your clinical expertise.

What are the most commonly searched types of Express Scripts Pharmacist jobs in California?

The most popular types of Express Scripts Pharmacist jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Express Scripts Pharmacist jobs in California?

For Express Scripts Pharmacist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Express Scripts Pharmacist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,042 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Pharmacy Technician Specialist - Ambulatory - Mercy San Diego

Scripps Health

San Diego, CA

$18.50 - $22.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Scripps Health rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 141 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

This is a full-time position with 8-hour VARIED shifts, generally Monday through Friday located at Mercy San Diego in Hillcrest.

Join the Scripps Health team and work alongside passionate caregivers and provide patient-centered healthcare. Receive endless appreciation while you build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations nationwide.

Why join Scripps Health?

At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered and your abilities are appreciated:

  • Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
  • Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2025.
  • Scripps Health has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
  • Beckers Healthcare ranked Scripps Health on its 2024 list of 150 top places to work in health care.
  • We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
  • Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.

Why join this team?

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist will provide essential support to both the Ambulatory and Specialty Pharmacies at Scripps Health. Our ambulatory pharmacies offer a range of services, including filling new and refill prescriptions, managing specialty medications, and transferring existing prescriptions from inpatient pharmacies to our three convenient Scripps Pharmacy locations. The Scripps Health Specialty Pharmacy is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of pharmacy services and personalized patient care, supporting individuals with complex medical conditions. Through our comprehensive Specialty Pharmacy program, we collaborate with patients' insurance providers, arrange for direct medication delivery to their homes, and conduct regular follow-ups to provide ongoing monitoring and support.

Our team, composed of friendly, knowledgeable, and highly trained pharmacists and support staff, plays a critical role in providing high quality patient care. By managing medication therapies, offering clinical consultations, and providing tailored support for specialty medications, we ensure patients receive the care they need. This role will also involve close collaboration with healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies to facilitate seamless medication access and promote adherence.

Responsibilities include:

  • Supporting outpatient specialty and ambulatory pharmacy services by completing benefits investigations, coordinating prior authorizations and appeals, and ensuring timely patient access to therapy. 
  • Managing first fills and refills, delivery logistics, and collaboration with manufacturer hubs and financial assistance programs to streamline onboarding. 
  • Providing proactive patient outreach, triages need, scheduling refills, monitoring adherence, and coordinating clinic visits and labs. 
  • Overseeing referral processing, inventory, and purchasing while maintaining regulatory and accreditation compliance. 
  • Assisting with staff training and workflow optimization, requiring strong communication skills, attention to detail, and expertise in complex payer and medication processes.

Required Experience/Specialized Skills:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Advanced knowledge of specialty-drug formularies, payer prior authorization (PA) & appeal portals (e.g. CoverMyMeds, Optum, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts), ICD-10/CPT/HCPCS coding, REMS programs, and limited-distribution drug networks as appropriate to the role.
  • Proficiency with EMR systems (Epic preferred), payer websites, Microsoft Office, and workflow proficiency in area of practice.
  • Experience in inventory management, purchasing processes, and maintaining compliance with storage, handling and ordering standards for specialty medications.
  • Excellent written/verbal communication, critical-thinking, and customer service skills.

Required Certification/Registration:

  • Current Pharmacy Technician License.
  • Certification by a National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (CPhT) required within 6 months of hire.
  • Minimum 2 years pharmacy technician experience with at least one year in practice area.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 5 years combined inpatient/outpatient or specialty pharmacy experience 
  • CPhT

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About Scripps Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a nationally recognized health system, Scripps Health is committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients. Through collaboration and innovation, our healthcare professionals lead the frontier in caring for our community. With a culture centered around teamwork, each laboratory site serves as a resource of support for each other, setting our laboratories as the benchmark for standardization.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1924