Director of Pharmacy

Job Title

Director of Pharmacy

Job Type

• Full-Time
• Direct Hire
  
  

Compensation

• Base salary range: $146,900 – $198,000 per year
  
  

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time and part-time employees
• Health savings account (HSA) and/or flexible spending accounts (FSA) where applicable
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance options
• Paid time off (PTO) including vacation, sick time, and holidays (per company policy)
• Paid family leave (per company policy and eligibility requirements)
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition assistance and education reimbursement for approved programs
• Student loan assistance programs (where eligible)
• Support for professional certifications and continuing education
• Employee wellness programs focused on mental, physical, and financial well-being
• Free or discounted gym memberships and/or fitness options
• Employee assistance program (EAP) with confidential counseling and resources
• Employee discount programs (retail, travel, services, etc.)
  
  

Work Location

• Vernal, Utah
• Onsite at acute-care hospital facility
  
  

Work Schedule

Day shift, full-time exempt leadership role; schedule typically Monday–Friday with additional hours as needed for management responsibilities, meetings, and emergent operational needs.

Travel

Primarily onsite; limited local/regional travel for meetings, training, or system initiatives as needed.

Relocation

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates based on organizational guidelines.

Company Description

This opportunity is with a Joint Commission–accredited, 39-bed acute care hospital serving a growing community in northeastern Utah. Recognized multiple years as one of the Top 100 Rural Hospitals in America, the facility provides a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services and is part of a larger, nationwide healthcare network. The organization is mission-driven, focused on high-quality, patient-centered care, and committed to supporting its clinical leaders with the resources, technology, and team support they need to succeed. The hospital is located in Vernal, Utah—an area known as an outdoor recreation paradise. From Flaming Gorge Reservoir to the Uinta Mountains, the region offers exceptional access to fishing, hunting, biking, camping, golfing, water sports, cross-country skiing, white-water rafting, and more. The community combines small-town friendliness with easy access to major metropolitan areas between Salt Lake City and Denver.

Job Summary

The Director of Pharmacy is the senior pharmacy leader for the hospital and is responsible for the strategic, clinical, operational, and financial management of the Pharmacy Department. This role oversees all pharmacy services related to inpatient care and may support outpatient, ER, and ancillary services as needed. The Director of Pharmacy ensures safe, effective, and cost-efficient medication use throughout the facility while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as accreditation and health system standards. The Director leads and develops a team of pharmacists, technicians, and support staff; drives evidence-based practice; and collaborates closely with medical staff, nursing, and administrative leadership to optimize medication management and quality outcomes. This position is ideal for an experienced pharmacy leader who thrives in a hands-on, community-hospital environment and wants to make a significant impact on patient care and the health of the surrounding region.

Why Join

• **Meaningful impact:** Serve as the senior pharmacy leader in a well-regarded rural hospital, directly influencing patient safety, medication quality, and clinical outcomes across the organization.
• **Leadership scope:** Lead all aspects of pharmacy operations—including clinical services, regulatory readiness, technology, budgeting, and staff development—while partnering closely with executive leadership and medical staff.
• **Supportive culture:** Join a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, professional growth, and evidence-based practice. You will have support from a broader health system network with shared resources and expertise.
• **Lifestyle and location:** Enjoy a high quality of life in a community widely known for outstanding outdoor recreation—fishing, hunting, biking, camping, water sports, skiing, and more—all set in a scenic region between Salt Lake City and Denver.
  
  

Responsibilities And Duties

• Provide strategic leadership for all pharmacy services within the hospital, aligning departmental goals with organizational mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, and procedures that meet clinical, administrative, legal, and ethical standards and support safe, effective medication use.
• Oversee daily operations of the Pharmacy Department, including inpatient and related services, ensuring timely, accurate, and safe medication distribution and clinical support.
• Direct and evaluate pharmacy operations related to patient care delivery, clinical services, medication-use processes, information technology, and service levels.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable pharmacy laws and regulations, including federal and state requirements, Board of Pharmacy rules, and standards from The Joint Commission and other accrediting bodies.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, medication management standards) and ensure pharmacy practices align accordingly.
• Lead and manage the pharmacy team, including pharmacists, technicians, and support staff: hire, orient, schedule, assign work, evaluate performance, manage productivity, and administer corrective action when necessary.
• Plan, implement, and support ongoing staff development, training, competency assessment, and continuing education activities to promote clinical excellence and professional growth.
• Prepare, monitor, and manage the departmental operating and capital budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to financial targets.
• Track and analyze pharmacy performance metrics, including drug utilization, cost trends, clinical interventions, and quality indicators; use data to drive process improvement and cost-effective care.
• Collaborate with medical staff, nursing, and other clinical departments to develop, implement, and update evidence-based medication-use protocols, order sets, and clinical pathways.
• Chair or actively participate in relevant hospital committees (e.g., Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medication Safety) and lead initiatives to improve medication practices and outcomes.
• Coordinate and oversee internal and external audits, inspections, and surveys (e.g., state Board of Pharmacy, DEA, Joint Commission), ensuring readiness, documentation integrity, and timely resolution of findings.
• Implement and optimize pharmacy information systems and automation technologies (e.g., CPOE, EMR, automated dispensing cabinets, barcoding, clinical decision support) to enhance patient safety and workflow efficiency.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability, leading root cause analyses and corrective action plans when medication-related incidents, near-misses, or variances occur.
• Ensure secure, compliant purchasing, storage, handling, compounding, labeling, dispensing, and disposal of medications, including controlled substances and hazardous drugs, following USP and applicable regulations.
• Support and guide antimicrobial stewardship and other clinical pharmacy programs that improve outcomes, reduce resistance, and optimize utilization of high-cost or high-risk medications.
• Foster an environment that encourages open communication, interdepartmental collaboration, innovation, and staff engagement.
• Serve as a key resource and advisor to hospital leadership on medication-use strategy, drug shortages, formulary management, and new drug evaluations.
• Participate in or support quality improvement, patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives at the department and hospital level.
• Remain current on advances in pharmacy practice, regulatory changes, new therapies, and best practices, and incorporate relevant updates into departmental policies and clinical protocols.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Required

• Thorough knowledge of hospital pharmacy operations, clinical pharmacy practice, and medication-use systems in an acute care environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations, including DEA requirements, Board of Pharmacy rules, and applicable accreditation standards (e.g., Joint Commission).
• Strong working knowledge of HIPAA and other privacy/confidentiality rules as they relate to pharmacy and patient information.
• Experience integrating evidence-based practices into daily pharmacy operations, clinical protocols, and medication-use policies.
• Proficiency with pharmacy-related information systems and technologies, such as EMRs/EHRs, computerized provider order entry (CPOE), automated dispensing cabinets, barcode medication administration, and clinical decision support tools.
• Ability to plan, develop, and manage departmental budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement cost-control strategies without compromising quality or safety.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to evaluate data, identify trends, and implement process improvements.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with physicians, nurses, executives, staff, patients, and external partners.
• Commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and a just culture within the department.
• Ability to maintain composure and sound judgment in high-pressure or emergent situations.
• Strong customer-service orientation and the ability to build positive, collaborative relationships across disciplines.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with advancements in pharmacy practice and regulatory requirements.
  
  

Education / Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from an accredited pharmacy school (required).
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school of pharmacy (strongly preferred).
• Progressively responsible experience in hospital or health-system pharmacy practice (typically 5 years preferred).
• Prior experience in a pharmacy leadership or management role (e.g., Director, Manager, Supervisor, Clinical Coordinator) in an acute-care or similar setting strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a rural or community hospital setting is a plus but not required.
  
  

Licenses / Certifications

• Current, active pharmacist license in the state of Utah, in good standing (required), or eligibility to obtain Utah licensure prior to start date.
• Board certification in a pharmacy specialty (e.g., BCPS or other recognized specialty) preferred but not required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) or ability to obtain within organizational timeframe, if required by facility policy.
  
  



Additional Information

• This is an onsite, hospital-based leadership role and is not eligible for full-time remote work.
• On-call responsibilities may be required to support 24/7 pharmacy operations and respond to urgent departmental needs.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this position.
• The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
• Final job responsibilities and requirements may vary slightly based on facility needs and evolving regulatory or organizational guidelines.