What does a Pharmacy Manager do?

Pharmacy Managers may work in retail pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. A successful Pharmacy Manager can increase trust in healthcare organizations by ensuring safe medication dispensing. They may mentor other pharmacy employees, manage costs and help reduce medication errors to support positive patient outcomes.

Pharmacy Manager skills and qualifications

Skills you might list on your Pharmacist Manager job description include:

• Ability to administer vaccinations in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Knowledge of pharmacy procedures, including medication storage and recalls
• Ability to create compound medication for individual patient needs
• Proficiency with medication therapy management (MTM) to educate patients on their prescriptions
• Familiarity with Good Faith dispensing practices

Pharmacy Manager experience requirements

Employers often want Pharmacy Managers with experience in healthcare settings. You might consider candidates with extensive experience in retail or hospital pharmacies or applicants who have worked as Lead Pharmacists or managed teams in hospitals or laboratories.

Pharmacy Manager education and training requirements

Pharmacy Managers are typically licensed Pharmacists. Your job description for a Pharmacy Manager may reflect the minimum doctoral or professional degree and state license required for your open position. Some employers might also prefer candidates with additional certifications, such as a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) or management credential that demonstrates leadership and business skills.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Pharmacy Manager job description isn’t what you’re looking for, consider job description samples for:

• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmacy Manager job description FAQs

What type of employers might hire a Pharmacy Manager?

Chain and stand-alone retail pharmacies or supermarkets typically hire Pharmacy Managers. Hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes with internal pharmacies or teams that otherwise manage patient medication may also need pharmacy leadership. Mail-order pharmacies, government health departments, correctional facilities and pharmaceutical companies might also hire for this role.

Who does a Pharmacy Manager report to?

Pharmacy Managers might report to Store Managers, Directors of Pharmacy, Chief Pharmacists, Healthcare Administrators or executive leaders such as Chief Operating Officers (COOs).

What qualities should you look for when hiring a Pharmacy Manager?

Consider looking for candidates who demonstrate excellent attention to detail and delegation skills. Candidates with good ethics and who can adapt to a fast-paced environment may also succeed in a Pharmacy Manager role. A passion for educating patients about medications may also be useful.

Who reports to a Pharmacy Manager?

Depending on your facility and team structure, Pharmacy Managers can oversee a variety of other employees. In retail pharmacies, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Clerks may report to a Pharmacy Manager. In clinical settings. Pharmacy Managers might also supervise Pharmacy Residents and Inventory Specialists. In a mail-order setting, delivery or shipping staff may report to the Pharmacy Manager.