Chief Pharmacist

The Indian Health Service; Belcourt (ND); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indian Health Service in Shawnee, KS is seeking a Chief Pharmacist to oversee pharmacy operations, medication distribution, and clinical services in a federal health system. You will supervise staff, manage schedules, ensure accurate dispensing, and drive quality assurance initiatives while supporting culturally informed care for American Indian and Alaska Native patients.

Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other health professionals, you will lead process improvements, formulary

Qualifications

• Must have strong clinical pharmacy skills including medication therapy management, drug information, and patient counseling.
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities: supervising staff, coordinating workflows, driving performance improvement.
• Operational and regulatory knowledge: pharmacy law, IHS/federal policies, accreditation, medication safety.
• Excellent communication and collaboration: documentation, teamwork with multidisciplinary providers, culturally respectful patient interaction.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or equivalent from an accredited school; active, unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state or territory.
• Hospital or clinic-based pharmacy experience; supervisory experience preferred.
• Commitment to underserved populations and respect for Native cultures and values.
• U.S. citizenship; eligible for federal employment and credentialing/privileging.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pharmacy operations, including medication distribution and clinical services.
• Supervise staff, manage schedules, ensure accurate dispensing and documentation.
• Lead quality assurance initiatives and medication safety programs.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to optimize pharmacotherapy and provide patient education.

Skills

Medication therapy management

Drug information

Patient counseling

Leadership and supervision

Regulatory compliance

Communication and collaboration

Education

PharmD or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides comprehensive health care services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the nation. IHS offers diverse career opportunities in multiple disciplines and care settings, with a focus on patient-centered, culturally informed care. Health professionals can choose to serve as federal civil service employees, as Officers in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or directly for Tribal or Urban Indian programs, with competitive pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities. IHS supports education, recruitment, and retention through scholarship, extern, and loan repayment programs, and maintains openings nationwide. IHS is an equal opportunity employer that provides absolute preference to qualified Indian applicants for vacancies, consistent with federal policy and suitability requirements.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site Chief Pharmacist role located in Shawnee, KS. The Chief Pharmacist oversees pharmacy operations, including medication distribution, clinical pharmacy services, and compliance with federal, state, and IHS regulations and policies. Day-to-day responsibilities include supervising pharmacy staff, managing schedules, ensuring accurate dispensing and documentation, and implementing quality assurance and medication safety initiatives. The role also involves collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to optimize pharmacotherapy, participating in multidisciplinary care teams, and providing patient counseling and education on medications. The Chief Pharmacist is expected to lead process improvements, maintain inventory and formulary management, support staff training and development, and contribute to culturally responsive care for American Indian and Alaska Native patients.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong clinical pharmacy skills, including medication therapy management, drug information, and patient counseling.
• Candidates should possess leadership and management abilities, such as supervising staff, coordinating workflows, and guiding performance improvement.
• Candidates should possess operational and regulatory skills, including knowledge of pharmacy law, IHS and federal policies, accreditation standards, and medication safety practices.
• Candidates should possess communication and collaboration skills, including clear documentation, effective teamwork with multidisciplinary providers, and culturally respectful interaction with patients and communities.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or equivalent degree from an accredited school of pharmacy; active, unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state or territory.
• Experience in hospital or clinic-based pharmacy practice; prior supervisory or lead pharmacist experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving underserved populations and willingness to learn and respect Native cultures, traditions, and values.
• U.S. citizenship required; eligibility for federal employment and ability to meet applicable credentialing and privileging standards.