Skip to main content
Open search form

Explore remote jobs

Pursue your passion and potential

Clinical Pharmacist Utilization Management

Los Alamitos, California

Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

With these values to guide us, our people are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we are honored to serve.

Clinical Pharmacist Utilization Management

Requisition number: 2363421 Job category: Pharmacy Primary location: Los Alamitos, Orange, CA Date posted: 05/26/2026 Overtime status: Exempt Travel: No

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Unique opportunity for a clinical pharmacist to improve patient care and outcomes through completion of utilization management functions for value-based patients in the Optum West region.

Under general supervision of the Pharmacy Manager, the Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for evaluating medication utilization and prior authorization requests for specialty oncology and non-oncology ambulatory injectable and/or infusion medications as related to member benefits, medical necessity, site of service, and evidence based clinical guidelines.

Must have a CA state license but do not have to reside in California

Hours are Monday through Friday 8AM -5PM within your local time zone.  On Call Requirement of 1 Saturday per month and rotating Holidays

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Completes assigned daily prior authorization case reviews to meet production and performance metrics as determined by the department to maintain compliant timeliness standards
  • Review specialty medication prior authorization requests according to established treatment protocols, clinical criteria/guidelines, regulatory requirements and member benefits to ensure consistent and accurate application of clinical criteria & the determination is made within the defined processing times to meet regulatory requirements
  • Knowledgeable of current and emerging clinical trends
  • Provide internal and external clinical pharmacy subject matter consultation to members, physicians, prescribers, nurses, and pharmacists
  • Proactively identify process improvement opportunities and collaborate with other teams and leaders
  • Assist with user acceptance testing for new clinical programs and system enhancements
  • Ensure and evaluate quality controls and implement opportunities for performance improvement in pharmacy practice specific to specialty pharmacy
  • Research and awareness about drug information to maintain drug knowledge and disease state understanding for application to prior authorization reviews
  • Follow all policies and procedures, SOPs related to the job
  • Performs all other related duties/activities as assigned to meet departmental objectives

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD)
  • Current unrestricted Pharmacist license to practice in CA
  • 3+ years of experience as a Prior Authorization Pharmacist or Clinical Pharmacist, conducting such activities as medication therapy management, clinical rounds, disease state management
  • Experience working in a metric-driven environment
  • Proven excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven excellent relationship building skills
  • Proven solid analytical and PC operation skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools (Outlook, One Note, Teams, Word, Excel, etc)
  • Access to High-Speed Internet and a designated, distraction free workplace

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Board certification by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)
  • Pharmacy Benefit Management
  • Certified Geriatric Pharmacist
  • 1+ years of experience in Oncology Setting
  • Proven knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payor guidelines
  • Demonstrated planning and organizational skills to demonstrate leadership and initiative

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy


Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $91,700 to $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Benefits

Our mission of helping people live healthier lives extends to our team members. Learn more about our range of benefits designed to help you live well.

Life

Resources and support to focus on what matters most to you, in every facet of your life.

Emotional

Education, tools and resources to help you reduce and manage stress, build resilience and more.

Physical

Health plans and other coverage to support wellness for you and your loved ones.

Financial

Benefits for today and to help you plan for the future, including your retirement.

Learn more
testimonial-img-1
testimonial-img-2
testimonial-img-3

We’re honored to be recognized for our exceptional work culture

AGWF recognition award
2025 Campus Forward Award badge from RippleMatch
LinkedIn Top Companies 2025 award badge
Forbes Best Large Employers in the United States 2024 award badge
America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024 award badge