Opportunity

Clinical Review Pharmacist – Health-Tech PBM Career in Columbus

Location Columbus
Company SmithRx
Source jobicy
Posted 2026-10-20 18:10:17

Career & Market Insight

This role at SmithRx is a strong entry point into health-tech and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) — one of the fastest-growing and most disrupted segments of U.S. healthcare. For pharmacists looking to transition away from retail or hospital settings, this is a compelling alternative with significant upside.

Compensation check: At $63–$66/hr (~$131K–$137K annualized), this is above the U.S. median for clinical pharmacist roles (~$120K–$125K/year per BLS data) and competitive for remote utilization management positions, especially in lower cost-of-living areas (Zone C).

Skills developed in this role are high-demand:

  • Prior authorization and utilization management — increasingly critical as insurers and PBMs scale
  • URAC/NCQA compliance and accreditation standards — transferable to managed care organizations and health plans
  • Clinical decision-making in a tech-driven, metric-driven environment — differentiates you from traditional dispensing pharmacists

Company signals: SmithRx is venture-backed and in a growth phase (founded 2016, hundreds of thousands of members). This suggests opportunity for advancement, but also the pace and ambiguity of a startup. The mention of process improvements and leadership support projects hints at upward mobility for proactive performers.

Watch points: The rotating/after-hours schedule requirement may affect work-life balance. Metrics-driven environments can be high-pressure. Overall, this is a green-flag role for pharmacists wanting to build managed care expertise in a mission-driven Health-Tech company.

Who We Are:

SmithRx is a rapidly growing, venture-backed Health-Tech company. Our mission is to disrupt the expensive and inefficient Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) sector by building a next-generation drug acquisition platform driven by cutting edge technology, innovative cost saving tools, and best-in-class customer service. With hundreds of thousands of members onboarded since 2016, SmithRx has a solution that is resonating with clients all across the country.

We pride ourselves on our mission-driven and collaborative culture that inspires our employees to do their best work. We believe that the U.S. healthcare system is in need of transformation, and we come to work each day dedicated to making that change a reality. At our core, we are guided by our company values:

  • Integrity: Our purpose guides our actions and gives us confidence in the path ahead. With unwavering honesty and dependability, we embrace the pressure of challenging the old and exemplify ethical leadership to create the new.
  • Courage: We face continuous challenges with grit and resilience. We embrace the discomfort of the unknown by balancing autonomy with empathy, and ownership with vulnerability. We boldly challenge the status quo to keep moving forward—always.
  • Together: The success of SmithRx reflects the strength of our partnerships and the commitment of our team. Our shared values bind us together and make us one. When one falls, we all fall; when one rises, we all rise.

Job Summary:

Joining SmithRx's clinical team, the Clinical Review Pharmacist plays a key role in enhancing clinical offerings and improving outcomes for our members and clients. Operating in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, this position pairs clinical expertise with service excellence to review prior authorization requests, support clinical programs, and offer guidance to providers, pharmacies, and members.

What you will do:

  • Review and make timely, evidence-based decisions on prior authorizations and appeals using clinical guidelines and benefit criteria.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and internal regulations across applicable lines of businesses.
  • Accurately document clinical decisions and maintain thorough records in accordance with regulatory and accreditation (URAC/NCQA) utilization review standards.
  • Provide clear, empathetic support to members, prescribers, and pharmacies by responding to clinical inquiries, demonstrating professionalism, active listening, and a patient-centered approach.
  • Stay current with clinical prescribing guidelines, internal policies, and regulatory changes, and apply them to daily responsibilities.
  • Follow all internal procedures, job aids, and HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy and data security.
  • Identify and report potential fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA).
  • Support training and development of new and existing team members as needed.
  • Assist leadership with special projects, process improvements, and operational initiatives.

What you will bring to SmithRx:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD.) or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (B.S. Pharm) from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy
  • Active, unrestricted pharmacist license in state of residence
  • Minimum of 2 years of pharmacy practice experience
  • Strong communication, writing, and organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume, metric-driven environment
  • General understanding of drug information, clinical guidelines, formulary design, and utilization management strategies
  • Flexible and adaptable to changes
  • Availability to work after hours, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or fixed schedule

Preferred Qualifications:

  • One year of prior authorization or utilization management experience
  • One year of experience in managed care or pharmacy benefit management (PBM)
  • Direct experience conducting prior authorization reviews, clinical appeals, formulary exceptions, step therapy evaluations, and quantity limit reviews
  • Experience in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive)

Location: US - Remote

Zone A includes the following locations:

  • San Francisco Bay Area - California
  • Metro New York City - Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Zone A Pay Range: $64–$66 USD (hourly)

Zone B includes the following locations:

  • California - outside of San Francisco Bay Area
  • Metro Denver / Boulder - Colorado
  • Metro District of Columbia - District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
  • Metro Boston / Cambridge - Massachusetts and New Hampshire
  • Metro Austin - Texas
  • Metro Seattle - Washington

Zone B Pay Range: $63–$65 USD (hourly)

Zone C includes all other locations not listed above, including:

  • Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming
  • Non-metro Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia

Zone C Pay Range: $63–$65 USD (hourly)

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: The range listed above reflects our standard pay scale and actual pay will vary based on work location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
  • Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, commissions, or equity. SmithRx offers a variety of benefits to help you live well, including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, and 401(k).

Individual offers are tailored to your geography, experience, skills, and education. Your recruiter can share more specific details during the hiring process. In the meantime, feel free to explore our comprehensive benefits here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Clinical Review Pharmacist role fully remote?
Yes, this position is listed as US-Remote. However, candidates must hold an active, unrestricted pharmacist license in their state of residence, so you must be a U.S. resident.
What is the pay range for this role at SmithRx?
Pay ranges from $63 to $66 per hour depending on your geographic zone. Zone A (San Francisco Bay Area, Metro NYC) tops out at $66/hr, while Zones B and C range from $63–$65/hr.
Do I need prior authorization experience to apply?
It is preferred but not required. One year of prior authorization or utilization management experience is listed as a preferred qualification, while the minimum requirement is 2 years of general pharmacy practice experience.
Will I need to work weekends or holidays?
Yes. The posting states that availability to work after hours, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or fixed schedule is a minimum requirement for this role.
What benefits does SmithRx offer for this position?
SmithRx offers medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan, time off programs, and potential eligibility for bonuses, commissions, or equity.
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