Salary: $190,000.00 - $210,000.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: BHA
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Descriptionis seeking a well-qualified person interested in the leadership of a highly respected pharmacy team at Western State Hospital as the Deputy Pharmacy Director. The Deputy Pharmacy Director co-manages the hospital pharmacy, which includes one satellite pharmacy, to provide comprehensive psychiatric and medical pharmaceutical services to approximately 700 patients, encompassing care for children, adults, and geriatric patients.
Reporting to the Pharmacy Director, the Deputy Pharmacy Director is responsible for overseeing the entire scope of daily mission-critical functions performed by each pharmacy. You'll plan, organize, lead, and control the drug procurement and distribution services, pharmacy staff levels, performance standards and objectives, evaluations, quality control, security, and ensuring the pharmacy operates within federal and state laws and meets or exceeds The Joint Commission (TJC) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.
This leadership role contributes to the quality and effective treatment of patients at Western State Hospital, Behavioral Health & Treatment Center - Steilacoom Unit (BHTC-SU), and Child Study & Treatment Center (CSTC). You'll enjoy a variety of work and continuous learning opportunities in a fulfilling career. Your work will support the DSHS mission through a patient-centered clinical practice aimed at helping people shape and improve their own lives.
Some of what you'll do- Supervise pharmacy staff: a combination of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
- Hiring, training, evaluating, and retaining clinical pharmacists and technicians.
- Problem-solve day-to-day issues in an environment which can be challenging.
- Provide oversight and expert pharmaceutical advice, counsel, and guidance to physicians and clinical pharmacists regarding medication, and the treatment of complex medical and psychiatric disorders.
- Provide an advanced level of specialized medication advice to the physicians, nurses, as well as patients to obtain the best patient care available.
- Provide oversight and expert advice to clinical pharmacists in the areas of literature searches, research, development of pharmacists' written pharmaceutical histories, providing recommendations to physicians and medical staff for medications and drug therapy, and handling complex cases.
- Serves on hospital committees.
What we're looking for in a Deputy Pharmacy Director:
Knowledge Skills and Abilities - Valid Washington State license to practice pharmacy.
- Graduation from an accredited college of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
- Six to Ten years of pharmacy experience.
- Pharmacy residency and/or board certification desired.
- Proficiency in working collaboratively and respectfully with all staff and patients to accomplish the mission of the hospital, to promote the recovery and well-being of those we serve.
- A skilled leader with experience developing staff and departmental relationships across a hospital environment.
- Demonstrates personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate effectively within the health system and to advance the profession and practice of pharmacy.
- Ability to strategically plan, organize, and ensure the pharmacy department runs effectively and meets the goals/mission/vision outlined by both the hospital and the pharmacy department; manage working relations within the pharmacy and other departments.
- Knowledge of medications and current pharmacy standards of practice as well as operations and pharmacy technology to be used in updating pharmacy operations.
- Knowledge of Washington State RCWs/WACs applicable to mental health facilities, and Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission standards and Federal regulations regarding the practice of pharmacy, knowledge of accreditation standards, and Medicare Part D billing.
How to Apply: Completed applications will include:
- Resume/CV
- Letter of interest
- Three professional references with current contact information.
Questions? Email the recruiter, Chris Pulley at, and reference 07439 in the subject.
Supplemental Information Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
