Arkansas Department of Health
4815 W Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Position Number: 22106450
County: Pulaski City: Little Rock
Posting End Date: 07/30/25
Division of Health Protection – Pharmacy
*CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION*
Additional Preferences:
Some in-state and out-of-state travel required. A valid driver’s license is required.
Hiring Official: N. Shull
Recruitment Contact: Sheila.Smith@arkansas.gov - 501-661-2268
The mission of the Department of Health is to protect and improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans.
Position Information
Job Series: Pharmacists
Classification: Pharmacy Inspector – Career Path
Class Code: MPA03P
Pay Grade: MED09
Salary Range: $118,399 - $175,231
Job Summary
The Pharmacy Inspector is responsible for conducting inspections of pharmacies and pharmaceutical operations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, safety standards, and professional guidelines. This role is crucial in safeguarding public health by identifying and addressing any non-compliance, medication handling issues, and unsafe practices. A valid Arkansas pharmacist license is required to perform duties in this role.
Primary Responsibilities
Conduct regular inspections of pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and pharmaceutical operations to ensure compliance with the Arkansas Pharmacy Act, Controlled Substances Act, and other relevant state and federal regulations.
Review pharmacy practices, including medication storage, labeling, dispensing, record-keeping, and the handling of controlled substances.
Investigate complaints or reports of unethical practices, medication errors, drug diversion, or unsafe pharmacy practices.
Take appropriate action based on investigation findings, including reporting suspected violations to the proper authorities or initiating enforcement procedures.
Assess the security of pharmaceutical environments to ensure proper procedures are followed for the safe handling and storage of drugs, especially controlled substances.
Evaluate pharmacy equipment, processes, and staff compliance with infection control, safety protocols, and quality assurance standards.
Ensure that pharmacies adhere to state laws regarding medication distribution, pharmacy operations, and record-keeping practices.
Identify violations of pharmacy laws, regulations, or guidelines and take appropriate enforcement actions, such as issuing citations, warnings, or referring cases for legal action.
Educate pharmacy staff and owners about applicable laws, best practices, and required operational standards.
Review the dispensing of controlled substances, ensuring compliance with DEA regulations and state laws on the safe handling of narcotics and other controlled substances.
Document inspection findings, including identifying deficiencies or violations, and prepare detailed inspection reports for review by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy or other relevant regulatory bodies.
Track the progress of any corrective actions taken by pharmacies in response to violations or deficiencies noted during inspections.
Knowledge and Skills
Deep understanding of pharmacy laws and regulations, including the Arkansas Pharmacy Act, Controlled Substances Act, FDA regulations, and DEA guidelines.
Knowledge of pharmaceutical practices, including drug dispensing, storage, and record-keeping requirements for various medication classes.
Understanding of infection control procedures, quality assurance protocols, and pharmacy safety measures to ensure compliance with best practices.
High attention to detail to thoroughly evaluate pharmacy practices, identify discrepancies, and ensure compliance with state and federal standards.
Ability to identify violations or unsafe practices that could impact public health or patient safety.
Ability to conduct thorough investigations into complaints, regulatory violations, and pharmacy operations to ensure safe and legal practices.
Minimum Qualifications
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school is required, plus three (3) years of experience as a licensed pharmacist.
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.
