Staff Pharmacist

Howard University Hospital  |  Washington, DC

Role Summary

As a Staff Pharmacist at Howard University Hospital, you will deliver safe, high-quality pharmaceutical care to patients of all ages across our inpatient pharmacy — ensuring every medication order is reviewed, verified, and dispensed with accuracy, clinical rigor, and a commitment to patient safety. Reporting to the Director of Pharmacy, you will serve as a frontline clinical resource and collaborative partner to physicians, nurses, and the broader care team, contributing to optimal therapeutic outcomes and a culture of continuous improvement.

If you are a licensed pharmacist who thrives in a fast-paced academic medical environment and takes pride in getting every detail right, we invite you to bring your expertise to one of the nation’s most storied teaching hospitals.

What You’ll Do

Clinical Dispensing & Patient Care

• Provide pharmaceutical care to inpatients of all ages in an accurate, effective, and efficient manner through collaborative interaction with physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel
• Assume legal responsibility for the proper interpretation and timely processing of medication orders; maintain accurate and current medication profiles for each patient
• Check all medications prepared for dispensing for accuracy, appropriateness, and safety prior to delivery to patients of all ages
• Apply particular attention to pediatric and neonatal orders, verifying prepared doses and monitoring pharmaceutical products effectively and efficiently

Clinical Review & Drug Therapy

• Evaluate medication orders in the context of patient age, organ function, and underlying disease to ensure appropriate drug therapy; intervene with prescribers to correct or clarify ambiguous or erroneous orders
• Serve as a drug information resource for the hospital, providing guidance on medication availability, therapeutic alternatives, special precautions, IV compatibility, and contraindications
• Recommend formulary alternatives for non-formulary drug requests; coordinate procurement of non-formulary medications with the Director of Pharmacy when necessary

Inventory & Operations

• Participate in monitoring and forecasting pharmaceutical inventory levels to support the efficient and economical operation of the pharmacy
• Ensure proper labeling, packaging, and storage of all pharmaceutical products dispensed; maintain and monitor prepackaged medications and supplies
• Perform regular inspections of assigned areas for proper labeling, storage conditions, expiration dates, and stocking levels

Safety, Compliance & Quality

• Document adverse drug events and medication errors in Safety Intelligence as they occur; determine and communicate corrective action plans to educate staff and prevent recurrence
• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, Howard University Code of Ethics, Health Sciences Standards of Conduct, and HIPAA
• Attend all mandatory compliance training including HIPAA Privacy training; actively participate in compliance program activities
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patients and staff
• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of this role

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited institution required
• Current licensure as a Registered Pharmacist in the District of Columbia, or eligibility for reciprocity from another jurisdiction
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association
• Proficiency with pharmacy information systems and software required for prescription verification and order processing

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program
• One (1) or more years of experience as a licensed pharmacist in a hospital or health system setting
• Experience with pediatric and/or neonatal patient populations

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 — when it operated as Freedmen’s Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere — HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children — up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

Position Details

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position covered under the DC Nurses Association (DCNA) collective bargaining agreement. Pay range: $61.05 – $84.08/hr, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at HUHLA@huhosp.org.

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.