DSHS BHHA Clinical Pharmacist

Full Job Description

Practice at the top of your license.

This is not a traditional pharmacist role. As a Clinical Pharmacist at Western State Hospital, you will lead diabetes care in a complex behavioral health setting — directly influencing patient outcomes through consultations, prescribing, and education.

You will join a mission-driven public health system where your clinical expertise shapes treatment decisions, improves care quality, and contributes to interdisciplinary strategy at the system level.

Within your first year, you will:

• Independently deliver diabetes-focused clinical consultations that improve patient health outcomes
• Influence treatment strategies through active participation in hospital committees
• Operate within a collaborative practice model, including prescriptive authority
• Educate patients to improve adherence and long-term disease management
• Strengthen continuity and quality of diabetes care across the facility
• Serve as key clinical partner within interdisciplinary care teams

You will work within a collaborative, interdisciplinary care environment focused on behavioral health and complex medical needs. This team values clinical expertise, clear communication, and shared accountability for patient outcomes. Pharmacists in this setting are integrated contributors — not support staff.

This position is fully onsite at Western State Hospital. Duties are eligible for an additional 5% premium pay. The role includes a rotating on-call requirement (one week at a time, approximately 3 times per year). DSHS rewards Board Certification with a monetary bonus. DSHS supports ongoing professional development with paid continuing education leave and reimbursement within available resources, and there is tuition loan repayment for those who qualify.

Ready to apply your clinical expertise in a high-impact public health setting? Apply today.


Who Should Apply
We're seeking professionals who meet one of the following:

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and current diabetes certification (CDCES or BC-ADM) with clinical experience managing diabetes patients

Some of What You Will Do

• Deliver specialized diabetes care through clinical consultations and medication management
• Educate patients on disease management, medications, and adherence strategies
• Participate in interdisciplinary care teams to develop and refine treatment plans
• Contribute to hospital committees, including nutrition and wellness initiatives
• Document and communicate treatment outcomes to clinical committees
• Complete and maintain required clinical and hospital system training
• Prescribe and adjust therapies under a collaborative practice model
• Support continuity of care through responsive consult services

What We're Looking For – Required Competencies

• Clinical Judgment: applies evidence-based decision-making to complex diabetes cases
• Collaboration: effectively partners with multidisciplinary teams to drive patient outcomes
• Communication: clearly conveys clinical information to both patients and professional audiences
• Adaptability: operates effectively in a behavioral health setting with evolving patient needs
• Accountability: delivers timely, accurate consultations and follows through on care plans

Preferred Qualifications

• Hospital-based clinical pharmacy experience
• Completion of a pharmacy residency program
• Experience presenting or reporting to clinical committees
• Board certification in psychiatric pharmacy or pharmacotherapy
• Experience working with psychiatric or behavioral health populations

To Apply
Click the green "APPLY" button to begin. Ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the required qualifications.

Questions?
Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 02358.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional 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.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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