State of Arkansas logo
State of Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas

PHARMACIST

PharmacistFull-Time

Listed compensation

Salary Range: $118K–$175K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Arkansas Department of Health
  • 4815 W Markham Street
  • Little Rock, AR 72205
  • Position Number: 22104660
  • County: Pulaski City: Little Rock
  • Posting End Date: 06/15/26
  • Division of Health Protection – Engineering

*CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION*

Additional Preferences

Frequent in-State and out-of-state travel for three (3) to four (4) nights per week, three (3) to four (40 weeks per month required. A valid driver’s license is required.

  • Three (3) years of experience working as a Licensed Pharmacist preferred.
  • Moderately advanced computer skills preferred.
  • A SMQT Certification is preferred before hire but must be obtained upon hire.
  • The office will be located in the Little Rock Medical Freeway Building.
  • Hiring Official: D. Mitchum

The mission of the Department of Health is to protect and improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans.

Position Information Job Series: PharmacistsClassification: Pharmacist – Career PathClass Code: MPA01PPay Grade: MED09Salary Range: $118,399 - $175,231Job 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.

Key Responsibilities

The Pharmacist is responsible for dispensing medications and providing therapy management within a state government facility. They must ensure the safe use of pharmaceuticals and advise patients and healthcare professionals on proper medication use.

Requirements

A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and a valid Arkansas pharmacist license are required. Preference is given to candidates with three years of experience and SMQT certification.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Prescription VerificationInventory ManagementHIPAA ComplianceDrug Interaction Monitoring

Pharmacist Career Context

Of the 40 active Pharmacy listings this role was benchmarked against, 57% are remote, 53% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Arkansas is 86.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$147k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $169k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Arkansas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

State of Arkansas holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 7 active listings.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates PHARMACIST at State of Arkansas a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 10% in Pharmacy — ranked against 10,330 active Pharmacy listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Pharmacist Jobs

18 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution18 jobs · 14 employers

4
<$145k
2
$145k-165k
8
$165k-185k
3
$185k-205k
1
$215k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks15 jobs · 14 employers

401k / retirement match
93%
Sign-on bonus
53%
Relocation assistance
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Pharmacist Clinical (Oncology)

Elevance Health · Cincinnati, Ohio

$119k-$215k
#2

Clinical Pharmacist (Formulary & Quality)

Centene · Indiana

$108k-$199k
#3

Clinical Pharmacist Specialist - Specialty (Oncology, Remote-Hybrid)- Full-Time Days

$159k-$185k
#4

Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (Adult ICU)- Full-Time Rotate

$159k-$185k
+ 16 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 6.6
Among the best 10% of Pharmacy listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 10,330 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Little Rock

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$217k≈ 1.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,212/mo≈ 12% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.4
State income tax
Up to 4.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

State of Arkansas logo

About State of Arkansas

Government Administration
Pine Bluff, AR
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

State Government Benefits