Pharmacy Technician

Orange County, CA; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Health Care Agency is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to assist on-site pharmacists with dispensing prescribed medications to inmates and juveniles across jail facilities and related clinics. The role supports vaccine and inventory management, with coordination of inter-facility medication transfers.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in pharmacy tech roles, PTCB certification, and strong knowledge of drug distribution, HIPAA, and billing processes.

Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital and/or retail pharmacy setting.
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification.
• Strong knowledge of medication dosage forms and drug distribution systems.
• Familiarity with HIPAA guidelines and confidentiality requirements.
• Experience with inventory management and billing of medications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and pharmacy data systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare daily patient medications using the automated packaging machine.
• Accurately fill prescriptions.
• Maintain nursing station automated dispensing cabinets.
• Conduct monthly nursing unit medication inspections.
• Maintain pharmacy inventory and cost-effective medication ordering using Cardinal Health system.
• Maintain vaccine inventory for Vaccines for Children program.
• Coordinate delivery/pickup of medications between facilities with courier services.
• Prepare and submit purchase requisitions and monthly billing for prisoners.
• Maintain monthly pharmacy records and statistics.
• Transport medications securely.

Skills

Medication dosage forms

HIPAA guidelines

Pharmaceutical supplies management

Filling prescriptions

Inventory management systems

Auditing

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary: $53,560.00 - $61,318.40 Annually

Location: Santa Ana, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 4515GE-0826-042 (O)

Department: Health Care Agency

Division/Service Area: Correctional Health Services

Opening Date: 08/19/2026

CAREER DESCRIPTION

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Pharmacy Technician positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 P.M. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met.

THE AGENCY

The Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services, and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

THE DEPARTMENTS

Correctional Health Services (CHS) is comprised of two (2) separate entities. One is for adult inmates, and the other is for juveniles. The Adult CHS program provides medical, dental, nursing, infection control, health education and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care and provides mental health services including 24-hour emergency triage and crisis intervention, suicide prevention, treatment beds, individual and group therapy, substance use counseling, medication assessment and discharge planning to all adult inmates in the County's five (5) correctional facilities. The Juvenile Health Services program has two (2) clinics -Juvenile Hall Health Clinic and Orangewood Family Health Clinic.

Juvenile Health Services (JHS)

Juvenile Health Services (JHS) provides medical, dental, nursing, infection control, health education and pharmaceutical services at a community standard of care to youth who reside in the County's four (4) residential facilities operated by Orange County Probation and Social Services Agency (SSA) Departments and contracts with hospitals for inpatient and specialty care.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Pharmacy Technician will assist the on-site registered Pharmacist with dispensing prescription medications to customers or health professionals as ordered by the prescribers. The pharmacy is in the Main Jail facility located in Santa Ana and provides medications to adult inmates in County jail facilities and to juveniles housed at Juvenile Hall and the Juvenile Camp sites. In addition, the pharmacy oversees the ordering of medications for the Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC).

• Preparing daily patient medications utilizing the automated packaging machine
• Accurately filling prescriptions
• Filling and maintaining nursing station automated dispensing cabinets
• Conducting monthly nursing unit medication inspections
• Maintaining pharmacy inventory and ordering cost effective medication utilizing the Cardinal Health online system
• Maintaining vaccine inventory for the Vaccines for Children program
• Maintaining and coordinating the delivery and pick up of medications with an outside courier transport between facilities
• Preparing and submitting purchase requisitions, service request forms to Storeroom for supplies and deliveries, and monthly billing for United States Federal Marshal prisoners
• Maintaining and updating monthly pharmacy records and statistics
• Securely transporting medications

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will have two (2) or more years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital and/or retail pharmacy setting and will be certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge | Technical Experience

• Thorough knowledge of medication dosage forms, and ability to prepare, release and distribute medications and utilize the drug distribution system to ensure the safety, accuracy, and quality of supplied medications
• Knowledge of HIPAA guidelines to protect confidential and sensitive client healthcare information
• Knowledge of and ability to manage and control pharmaceutical supplies, stock, and related records, reports or files to ensure the safety, accuracy, quality, integrity and timeliness of medications and client's safety
• Expertise in filling prescriptions, processing, and billing of medications
• Expertise in inspection/inventory management systems or procedures to maintain proper storage and security conditions of medications
• Expertise in auditing to assess and resolve issues from the inventory shortage problems as they arise
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and other computer applications to prepare billing documents, record and retrieve pharmacy data

Communication Skills | Oral | Written | Interpersonal

• Communicating effectively both in person and in writing
• Experience preparing clear and concise pharmacy records and statistics
• Ability to review patient records and collaborate with Pharmacist for medication selection decisions
• Thorough knowledge of grammar, spelling and pharmaceutical terminology
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional manner in stressful situations

Critical Thinking | Problem Solving | Decision Making

• Ability to evaluate quality control precautions and prevent occurrences of faulty medication dispensation
• Ability to identify systematic problems in medication misuse
• Ability to assess basic pharmacy situations, apply policies and procedures and take appropriate action
• Ability to navigate general jail systems, policies, and procedures, and seek consultations with supervisors in unexpected or unfamiliar situations
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies throughout all jail facilities

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents are required to pass a comprehensive background investigation prior to a formal offer and acceptance of employment. Incumbents must maintain Sheriff's Department or Probation Department security clearance for the facilities where they work.
• Applicants must have no felony convictions or be on any form of probation.
• Must be able to pass and maintain background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. Background screening includes completing of a Personal History Form, interviewing with a background investigator, fingerprinting and may include a polygraph test. Some of the areas considered in the background screening include prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use and credit problems, employment history, professional references, and education verification (i.e., degree, license, or official transcripts. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).
• The Correctional and Probation facilities operate 24 hours, 7 days a week, and incumbents may be asked to work on weekends, evenings or night shift and holidays

NOTE:

Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click to review the policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Claudia Curiel at [e-mail] or 714-834-2335.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.