Director | Acute Care Pharmacy

Gundersen Health System • La Crosse, WI

2d

About The Position

The Director, Acute Care Pharmacy provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for acute care pharmacy services, inpatient pharmacy operations, medication use oversight, transitions of care, and compounding activities across multiple sites. The role ensures safe, effective, and timely pharmaceutical care in acute care settings.

The Director partners with clinical and operational leaders to optimize medication therapy, clinical quality and outcomes, cost-effective medication utilization, and care delivery models across assigned locations. The position supports patient safety, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and the ongoing development of pharmacy services to meet organizational and patient care needs.

The role also carries core leadership responsibilities in organizational strategy and implementation, fiscal and human resource management, service and quality excellence, and organizational leadership. The Director maintains accountability for implementing regulatory requirements, serves as a community liaison, and performs other department-defined duties as applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school of pharmacy.
• Pharmacist license to practice in the state of employment; some positions may require multiple state licenses.
• Must be eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in Wisconsin.
• 5 to 10 years of progressive health system pharmacy leadership experience in acute care pharmacy.
• Experience overseeing multiple pharmacy sites or service locations.
• Strong knowledge of medication safety, regulatory requirements, and compounding standards.
• Experience with emergency pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy practice.
• Experience overseeing sterile and non-sterile compounding operations in compliance with USP <797> and USP <800>.
• Experience managing environmental monitoring, competency validation, and documentation requirements associated with USP compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in pharmacy administration, healthcare administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Pharmacist license to practice in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois.
• Specialty Pharmacist certification.
• Experience supporting surgical services, operating room medication management, and perioperative pharmacy services.
• Experience supporting transitions of care, medication reconciliation, and discharge medication processes.
• PGY1/PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage pharmacy services supporting acute patient care in collaboration with clinical teams, optimizing medication therapy, patient outcomes, and evidence-based practice.
• Provide oversight and standardization across assigned pharmacy locations, including workflows, service quality, staffing models, and operational performance.
• Oversee daily inpatient pharmacy operations, ensuring efficient workflow, policy compliance, and medication availability.
• Monitor and evaluate medication use processes, implement medication safety initiatives, and ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Promote cost-effective medication utilization and evidence-based formulary practices.
• Support transitions of care, including medication reconciliation, discharge medication planning, and coordination between inpatient and outpatient teams.
• Implement regulatory agency requirements and support readiness for inspections, audits, and surveys.
• Promote continuous quality improvement to enhance medication safety, operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and care models.
• Support recruitment, development, coaching, and performance management of pharmacy staff.
• Manage resources, including staffing, supplies, and operational budgets, for efficient and sustainable pharmacy operations.
• Recognize market trends, assess their impact, develop operational plans, communicate priorities, and build staff alignment with strategic plans.
• Use established processes to ensure fiscal accountability and effective resource management.
• Select, align, develop, motivate, manage, and retain a skilled workforce.
• Ensure quality patient care, patient safety, patient experience, and customer service, applying continuous quality improvement principles.
• Integrate processes and initiatives, model collaboration, and participate in or support brand and service delivery teams as requested.
• Serve as a liaison to the community.
• Perform department-defined duties and responsibilities, if applicable.

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package that varies based on location; applicants are encouraged to inquire with the recruiter about benefits available in their area.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director