Staff Pharmacist Jobs in Iowa
Staff Pharmacist jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where health systems like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and MercyOne anchor most of the hiring activity across retail, hospital, and clinical settings. Demand is consistent at every level from new-graduate PharmD to experienced clinical pharmacist, with the strongest openings in acute care, ambulatory care, and long-term care pharmacy. Iowa's stable healthcare infrastructure keeps staff pharmacist hiring steady relative to many midwestern markets. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Staff Pharmacist jobs
Extraordinary Care. Extraordinary Careers.
With one of the nation’s largest, most innovative long-term care pharmacy services providers, there is no limit to the growth of your career.
Right Dose Pharmacy, a member of the Guardian family of pharmacies, has an exciting opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing team in Ankeny, Iowa.
Why Right Dose Pharmacy? We’re reimagining medication management and transforming care.
Who We Are and What We’re About:
Our core focus is delivering customized medication management solutions to support healthcare organizations serving seniors and individuals with complex care needs. With our comprehensive suite of tech-enabled pharmacy services and a dedicated team of professionals committed to enriching the lives of those we serve, we are redefining how pharmacy care is delivered.
We offer an opportunity to learn and grow your career in a fast-paced, diverse, and inclusive environment. If you are looking for a challenging, team-oriented environment in which you can put your expertise to work, then this is the place for you.
Attributes Required:
- Work Ethic/Integrity – must possess intrinsic drive to excel coupled with values in line with company philosophy
- Leadership – ability to lead project teams to deadlines, while maintaining strong team orientation
- Relational – ability to build relationships with business unit management and become “trusted advisor”
- Strategy and Planning – ability to think ahead, plan and manage time efficiently
- Problem Solving – ability to analyze causes and solve problems at both a strategic and functional level
- Team Oriented – ability to work effectively and collaboratively with all team members
Essential job functions (include the following):
- Accurately prepare medications for final dispensing to the patient, including filling, order entry, and packaging
- Review completed orders and cycle-fill medications to ensure prescriptions were filled correctly
- Verify the legality and pharmaceutical feasibility of dispensing a drug based on patients' allergies, Incompatibilities with current medications, frequency of refills, etc.
- Interpret prescription orders, to include exercising professional judgment in determining whether to dispense a particular prescription, taking into account patient safety and legal limitations.
- Adhere to all Federal and State Board of Pharmacy regulations
- Adhere to all applicable guidelines for compounding
- Transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies as needed
- Answer questions from patients, doctors, nurses, etc.
- Evaluate inventory levels and place orders when below par
- On exception items, look up most cost-effective product to order
- Notify customer/facility if product is out of stock and when the order can be filled
- Restock station supplies as needed - vials, cassettes, labels, delivery tickets, etc.
- Oversee the work of all technicians and give feedback to their supervisor regarding their performance
- Log all error medication occurrences
- Other essential functions and duties may be assigned as needed
Education and/or Certifications:
- Bachelor's Degree (Pharmacy) or PharmD. required
- State Pharmacist License required without restrictions
Skills and Qualifications:
- 1+ years of related experience
- Advanced computer skills; pharmacy operations system experience preferred/required
- Ability to work independently and deliver to deadlines
- Ability to solve problems with minimal direction
- Great attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment working on multiple tasks simultaneously, while adhering to strict deadlines
- Quality minded; motivated to seek out errors and inquire when something appears inaccurate
- Medical consulting experience preferred
Work Environment:
- Ability to work flexible hours
What We Offer:
Guardian provides employees with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, supporting our core value of, “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Compensation & Financial
- Competitive pay
- 401(k) with company match
Family, Health & Insurance Benefits (Full-Time employees working 30+ hours/week only)
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Company-paid Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Company-paid Long-Term Disability and optional Short-Term Disability
- Voluntary Employee and Dependent Life, Accident and Critical Illness
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Guardian Angels (Employee assistance fund)
Time Off
- Paid holidays and sick days
- Generous vacation benefits based on years of service
The Guardian Difference
Our clients require pharmacy services that aren’t “cookie cutter.” That’s why every Guardian pharmacy is locally operated and empowered with the autonomy to tailor their business to meet their clients’ needs.
Our corporate support offices, based in Atlanta, Ga., provide services such as human resources, business intelligence, legal, and marketing to promote the success of each Guardian location.
Regardless of your role at Guardian, your voice and talents matter. Because healthcare is an ever-changing industry, we encourage innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and diverse viewpoints to ensure we stay competitive in today’s dynamic business environment.
At Guardian, we are dedicated to fostering and advancing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Join us to discover what your best work truly looks like.
Extraordinary Care. Extraordinary Careers.
With one of the nation’s largest, most innovative long-term care pharmacy services providers, there is no limit to the growth of your career.
Right Dose Pharmacy, a member of the Guardian family of pharmacies, has an exciting opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing team in Ankeny, Iowa.
Why Right Dose Pharmacy? We’re reimagining medication management and transforming care.
Who We Are and What We’re About:
Our core focus is delivering customized medication management solutions to support healthcare organizations serving seniors and individuals with complex care needs. With our comprehensive suite of tech-enabled pharmacy services and a dedicated team of professionals committed to enriching the lives of those we serve, we are redefining how pharmacy care is delivered.
We offer an opportunity to learn and grow your career in a fast-paced, diverse, and inclusive environment. If you are looking for a challenging, team-oriented environment in which you can put your expertise to work, then this is the place for you.
Attributes Required:
- Work Ethic/Integrity – must possess intrinsic drive to excel coupled with values in line with company philosophy
- Leadership – ability to lead project teams to deadlines, while maintaining strong team orientation
- Relational – ability to build relationships with business unit management and become “trusted advisor”
- Strategy and Planning – ability to think ahead, plan and manage time efficiently
- Problem Solving – ability to analyze causes and solve problems at both a strategic and functional level
- Team Oriented – ability to work effectively and collaboratively with all team members
Essential job functions (include the following):
- Accurately prepare medications for final dispensing to the patient, including filling, order entry, and packaging
- Review completed orders and cycle-fill medications to ensure prescriptions were filled correctly
- Verify the legality and pharmaceutical feasibility of dispensing a drug based on patients' allergies, Incompatibilities with current medications, frequency of refills, etc.
- Interpret prescription orders, to include exercising professional judgment in determining whether to dispense a particular prescription, taking into account patient safety and legal limitations.
- Adhere to all Federal and State Board of Pharmacy regulations
- Adhere to all applicable guidelines for compounding
- Transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies as needed
- Answer questions from patients, doctors, nurses, etc.
- Evaluate inventory levels and place orders when below par
- On exception items, look up most cost-effective product to order
- Notify customer/facility if product is out of stock and when the order can be filled
- Restock station supplies as needed - vials, cassettes, labels, delivery tickets, etc.
- Oversee the work of all technicians and give feedback to their supervisor regarding their performance
- Log all error medication occurrences
- Other essential functions and duties may be assigned as needed
Education and/or Certifications:
- Bachelor's Degree (Pharmacy) or PharmD. required
- State Pharmacist License required without restrictions
Skills and Qualifications:
- 1+ years of related experience
- Advanced computer skills; pharmacy operations system experience preferred/required
- Ability to work independently and deliver to deadlines
- Ability to solve problems with minimal direction
- Great attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment working on multiple tasks simultaneously, while adhering to strict deadlines
- Quality minded; motivated to seek out errors and inquire when something appears inaccurate
- Medical consulting experience preferred
Work Environment:
- Ability to work flexible hours
What We Offer:
Guardian provides employees with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, supporting our core value of, “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Compensation & Financial
- Competitive pay
- 401(k) with company match
Family, Health & Insurance Benefits (Full-Time employees working 30+ hours/week only)
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Company-paid Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Company-paid Long-Term Disability and optional Short-Term Disability
- Voluntary Employee and Dependent Life, Accident and Critical Illness
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Guardian Angels (Employee assistance fund)
Time Off
- Paid holidays and sick days
- Generous vacation benefits based on years of service
The Guardian Difference
Our clients require pharmacy services that aren’t “cookie cutter.” That’s why every Guardian pharmacy is locally operated and empowered with the autonomy to tailor their business to meet their clients’ needs.
Our corporate support offices, based in Atlanta, Ga., provide services such as human resources, business intelligence, legal, and marketing to promote the success of each Guardian location.
Regardless of your role at Guardian, your voice and talents matter. Because healthcare is an ever-changing industry, we encourage innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and diverse viewpoints to ensure we stay competitive in today’s dynamic business environment.
At Guardian, we are dedicated to fostering and advancing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Join us to discover what your best work truly looks like.
See All 29 Staff Pharmacist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Pharmacist JobsStaff Pharmacist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Staff Pharmacist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Walmart12
- CVS Health5
- Guardian Pharmacy3
- Sam's Club2
- MercyOne1
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail10
- Consumer Goods5
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces5
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff pharmacist jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa pharmacist license issued by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy
- Passed North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination
- Experience with pharmacy dispensing software such as Epic or Cerner
- Ability to verify prescriptions, counsel patients, and supervise pharmacy technicians
- Strong knowledge of drug interactions, compounding protocols, and Iowa controlled substance regulations
Staff Pharmacist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a staff pharmacist in Iowa?
You must hold an active Iowa pharmacist license issued by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy before you can practice. Licensure requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited program, passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination, and passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination with Iowa law content. You then register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and maintain the license through continuing education every two years.
How much do staff pharmacists make in Iowa?
Staff pharmacists in Iowa earn a median of about $138,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $117,450 for the lowest 10% to over $164,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire staff pharmacists in Iowa?
Iowa staff pharmacist roles are posted by Walmart, CVS Health, and Guardian Pharmacy and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest health systems, regional grocery pharmacy chains, and long-term care networks are consistently among the most active employers in the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most staff pharmacist jobs?
Davenport, Storm Lake, and Cedar Rapids account for the largest share of staff pharmacist openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives volume as the state's largest metro and headquarters for major health systems and retail pharmacy networks, while Iowa City's openings are anchored by University of Iowa Health Care, one of the largest academic medical centers in the region.
Are there remote staff pharmacist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Most staff pharmacist roles require on-site dispensing, patient counseling, and direct oversight of pharmacy technicians, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of staff pharmacist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are typically in telepharmacy, drug utilization review, or clinical documentation roles rather than traditional dispensing.
How can I get hired as a staff pharmacist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a pharmacy residency program, and several Iowa employers run PGY-1 programs open to new PharmD graduates, including University of Iowa Health Care and UnityPoint Health. Candidates without residency experience often start as pharmacy interns or pharmacy technicians at regional health systems or large retail chains while completing licensure requirements. Holding an active Iowa pharmacist license and completing ACPE-accredited continuing education in acute or ambulatory care gives new graduates a clear edge in a competitive applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to staff pharmacist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to staff pharmacist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across health systems, retail, and long-term care settings. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 29 Staff Pharmacist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Pharmacist Jobs