What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHARMACIST position at State of Arkansas?
Position Number: 21100953
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: 02/04/2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $118, 399
DAABH
This position is located at the Arkansas State Hospital, a 24/7 behavioral health facility, in Little Rock.
This position is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted patient care, regulatory compliance, and operational stability within the pharmacy. Our hospital operates with limited staffing redundancy and flexibility, operating without this pharmacist places additional strain on the remaining pharmacist and the pharmacy manager, increasing the risk of delays, errors, and regulatory non-compliance. The cost of backfilling the position is outweighed by the financial, operational, and patient-safety risks of leaving it vacant.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Position Information
Job Series: Pharmacists
Classification: Pharmacist – Career Path
Class Code: MPA01P
Pay Grade: MED09
Salary Range: $118,399 - $175,231
Job Summary
The Pharmacist is responsible for providing pharmaceutical services within a state government facility. This includes dispensing medications, providing medication therapy management, ensuring the safe use of pharmaceuticals, and advising patients and healthcare professionals on proper medication use. A valid Arkansas pharmacist license is required to practice in this role.
Primary Responsibilities
Dispense prescribed medications accurately, ensuring proper dosage, form, and instructions for administration. Verify prescriptions for completeness, authenticity, and appropriateness, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Manage medication inventory, ensuring proper storage, handling, and maintenance of medications in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Monitor patient medication profiles for potential drug interactions, allergies, or contraindications, and take appropriate action to prevent adverse effects. Provide medication counseling to patients and/or caregivers, explaining proper medication use, side effects, interactions, and any special precautions. Maintain accurate and detailed records of medication dispensed, patient counseling, and any adverse drug reactions reported.
Knowledge And Skills
Extensive knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutical law. Strong understanding of drug interactions, side effects, and contraindications. Ability to accurately interpret and apply clinical guidelines and pharmacological principles to patient care. Ability to explain complex medication regimens in simple, clear terms for patients and caregivers. Understanding of relevant state and federal pharmacy laws, including the Controlled Substances Act, HIPAA, and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Knowledge of compliance standards for record-keeping, patient privacy, and medication safety in a healthcare setting.
Minimum Qualifications
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school is required.
Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.
Licensure/Certifications
Must hold a valid Pharmacist License issued by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: 02/04/2026
Anticipated Starting Salary: $118, 399
DAABH
This position is located at the Arkansas State Hospital, a 24/7 behavioral health facility, in Little Rock.
This position is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted patient care, regulatory compliance, and operational stability within the pharmacy. Our hospital operates with limited staffing redundancy and flexibility, operating without this pharmacist places additional strain on the remaining pharmacist and the pharmacy manager, increasing the risk of delays, errors, and regulatory non-compliance. The cost of backfilling the position is outweighed by the financial, operational, and patient-safety risks of leaving it vacant.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Position Information
Job Series: Pharmacists
Classification: Pharmacist – Career Path
Class Code: MPA01P
Pay Grade: MED09
Salary Range: $118,399 - $175,231
Job Summary
The Pharmacist is responsible for providing pharmaceutical services within a state government facility. This includes dispensing medications, providing medication therapy management, ensuring the safe use of pharmaceuticals, and advising patients and healthcare professionals on proper medication use. A valid Arkansas pharmacist license is required to practice in this role.
Primary Responsibilities
Dispense prescribed medications accurately, ensuring proper dosage, form, and instructions for administration. Verify prescriptions for completeness, authenticity, and appropriateness, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Manage medication inventory, ensuring proper storage, handling, and maintenance of medications in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Monitor patient medication profiles for potential drug interactions, allergies, or contraindications, and take appropriate action to prevent adverse effects. Provide medication counseling to patients and/or caregivers, explaining proper medication use, side effects, interactions, and any special precautions. Maintain accurate and detailed records of medication dispensed, patient counseling, and any adverse drug reactions reported.
Knowledge And Skills
Extensive knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutical law. Strong understanding of drug interactions, side effects, and contraindications. Ability to accurately interpret and apply clinical guidelines and pharmacological principles to patient care. Ability to explain complex medication regimens in simple, clear terms for patients and caregivers. Understanding of relevant state and federal pharmacy laws, including the Controlled Substances Act, HIPAA, and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Knowledge of compliance standards for record-keeping, patient privacy, and medication safety in a healthcare setting.
Minimum Qualifications
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school is required.
Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.
Licensure/Certifications
Must hold a valid Pharmacist License issued by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Salary : $118,399 - $175,231