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PGY-1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency

The CalOptima Health PGY-1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency is a full-time, one-year program that provides hands-on training in managed care pharmacy within a County Organized Health System (COHS). Residents gain experience in clinical decision-making, population health strategies and direct patient care while developing essential leadership and management skills.

2026-2027 Application Deadline: 1/5/2026

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Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy — Residency Description for CalOptima Health

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy

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Comprehensive Pharmacy Training

Residents gain hands-on experience in essential managed care functions, developing expertise in pharmacy management, clinical decision-making and population health strategies. Through direct patient care and innovative clinical services, they build the skills needed to navigate the evolving health care landscape. Residents engage in key managed care functions, including:

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Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

Interdisciplinary Care Team (ICT) collaboration

HEDIS and Star measure projects

Clinical program development

Participation in the Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee

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Candidate Requirements

Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
Candidate must obtain licensure within 120 days of entering the program
Candidate must have knowledge of
- Current clinical pharmacotherapeutics and disease state management
- Principles of pharmacoeconomics
- Managed health care principles and managed health care organizations
- Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Oral and visual presentation and marketing techniques for pharmacy programs

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Application

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WHAT TO INCLUDE

Necessary Materials

Curriculum vitae
Letter of intent
Three letters of recommendations submitted by the letter writers on the CalOptima Health application portal
Official pharmacy school transcript sent directly from school to hrrecruitment@caloptima.org

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WHERE TO APPLY

Apply at jobs.caloptima.org

The application deadline is the first Monday in January.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Us

For additional information, please email us at pharmd@caloptima.org.

Nicki Ghazanfarpour, Pharm.D., BCGP
Residency Program Director, Manager Clinical Pharmacist

Lauren Louie, Pharm.D.
Residency Program Coordinator, Clinical Pharmacist

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Why CalOptima Health?

About Us

As one of California’s top-rated Medi-Cal health plans, CalOptima Health serves children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County. As a pharmacy resident, you’ll play a vital role in improving medication safety, access and health outcomes for our members, all while gaining valuable experience in managed care pharmacy.