How to hire a float pharmacist

How to hire a float pharmacist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step float pharmacist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a float pharmacist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new float pharmacist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a float pharmacist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the float pharmacist you need to hire. Certain float pharmacist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect float pharmacist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of float pharmacists.

   Type of Float Pharmacist	Description	Hourly rate
   Float Pharmacist	Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles.	$44-73
   Pharmacy Internship	When it comes to a pharmacy internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to observe pharmacy operations and develop efficient communication skills as most of the tasks will revolve around customer service, such as providing instructions on when to take medications and what could be the side effects. Moreover, working as a pharmacist requires excellent attention to detail, ensuring that all customers receive the correct type and amount according to their prescriptions... Show more	$21-66
   Pharmacist Consultant	A pharmacist consultant specializes in providing advice to patients regarding their medication, discussing benefits, and recommending other services as necessary. They usually work at pharmacies, where they are also in charge of tasks, such as conducting research and assessments, maintaining records, utilizing tools and software to develop organized reports and information databases, and generating sales forecasts for different medications... Show more	$21-67

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Customer Service
   • Patient Care
   • Immunization
   • Inventory Management
   • Disease State Management
   • Therapy Management
   • CVS
   • Federal Laws
   • Medication Orders
   • State Laws
   • Clinical Services
   • Standing Orders
   • Drug Therapy

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage many aspects of daily operations of pharmacy department with emerging focus on oncology.
   • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
   • Facilitate the training of staff from Eckerd to CVS
   • Provide pharmacist coverage to CVS stores locate around Wisconsin.
   • Check each prescription drug order for appropriateness of therapy, drug interactions, and medication allergies prior to dispensing.
   • Check prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.

   More float pharmacist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your float pharmacist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A float pharmacist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, float pharmacists' average salary in arkansas is 43% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level float pharmacists earn 39% less than senior-level float pharmacists.
   • Certifications. A float pharmacist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a float pharmacist's salary.

   Average float pharmacist salary

   $118,744yearly

   $57.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level float pharmacist salary

   $92,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

   Average float pharmacist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$165,152	$79
   2	Oregon	$157,267	$76
   3	Washington	$149,125	$72
   4	New York	$136,612	$66
   5	Vermont	$134,365	$65
   6	Massachusetts	$131,829	$63
   7	Minnesota	$129,542	$62
   8	New Mexico	$127,582	$61
   9	Virginia	$126,351	$61
   10	Georgia	$117,250	$56
   11	Indiana	$117,082	$56
   12	Texas	$116,927	$56
   13	South Carolina	$114,178	$55
   14	Tennessee	$112,671	$54
   15	Florida	$111,507	$54
   16	Alabama	$111,457	$54
   17	Louisiana	$110,560	$53
   18	Mississippi	$108,419	$52

   Average float pharmacist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	H-E-B	$134,688	$64.75	15
   2	Albertsons Companies	$133,776	$64.32	478
   3	Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32	$133,763	$64.31
   4	Bashas'	$132,572	$63.74	7
   5	Raley's	$130,418	$62.70	1
   6	Albertsons	$129,482	$62.25	241
   7	Cedars-Sinai	$127,567	$61.33	51
   8	Giant Eagle	$125,417	$60.30	49
   9	Kmart	$125,204	$60.19
   10	Kroger	$124,259	$59.74	1,220
   11	Publix	$123,906	$59.57	54
   12	Winn-Dixie	$123,900	$59.57
   13	Ingles Markets	$123,647	$59.45	63
   14	Bartell Drugs	$121,137	$58.24
   15	Kaiser Permanente	$119,807	$57.60	158
   16	Rite Aid	$118,229	$56.84	1
   17	CVS Health	$117,551	$56.51	9,826
   18	Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	$116,723	$56.12	23
   19	Kinney Drugs	$115,896	$55.72	72
   20	Sears Holdings	$115,850	$55.70

4. Writing a float pharmacist job description

   A float pharmacist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a float pharmacist job description:

   Float pharmacist job description example

   Applicants for all positions will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 during the hiring process. Valid medical or religious exemptions will be considered, but serial COVID-19 testing will be required to maintain employment.
   Do you want to expand your pharmacy career and work in a hybrid dispensing and clinical role ?
   
   Are you looking for an organization that is growing and offers you opportunities to grow along with us, as we expand into more clinical roles, including Specialty Pharmacy Services?
   
   This is an exciting time to join our Pharmacy team as a Pharmacist Float. We are the best-kept secret in healthcare if you want a fulfilling career as a pharmacist. We value the contributions of our Pharmacist Floats and give them first priority for consideration when new opportunities become available.
   
   This is a full-time position that will be based in the Yakima Valley, WA area , and will provide coverage to our pharmacies from Yakima to Walla Walla. New grads are encouraged to apply. Relocation assistance available.
   
   Salary ranges from $130,000 - $133,560, and can go higher for highly experienced candidates.
   
   What you'll do:
   Work in a hybrid dispensing and clinical role, operating at the top of your licensure. You can work in this hybrid role without needing to complete a residency. In addition to standard dispensing, our pharmacists are also an important member of a team-based patient care model, collaborating with Primary Care Providers to: Prescribe medications Order, interpret, and monitor lab tests Help manage chronic diseases
   What we offer:
   Work-life balance, with a Monday - Friday schedule; no nights, weekends or holidays Competitive pay and additional compensation for float position YVFWC qualifies pharmacists for student loan repayment programs that could add $25,000 or more to your annual income, tax-free $0 premium for full medical/dental/vision coverage, family coverage also available 8 paid holidays plus 17 days paid time off (PTO) to start Paid license fees and continuing education benefit that includes cash reimbursement and additional 3 days paid time off Profit sharing and retirement plans, paid short and long term disability, and much more
   Your qualifications:
   Bachelor s Degree in Pharmacy; Pharm D Degree is a plus Current WA State Pharmacist License Valid WA State Driver's License and proof of automobile liability insurance coverage Your experience with and knowledge about community or ambulatory pharmacies are pluses You are a subject matter expert in drug therapy You are team-oriented, customer-focused, and communicate effectively with staff, patients, and providers You are computer-savvy and experienced working with at least one pharmacy system as well as general business applications Your experience with inventory management is a plus
   About YVFWC
   
   We serve more than 181,000 patients across 25 medical clinics, 14 dental clinics, 10 pharmacies, and 64 program sites in two states. We are Level 3 Certified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). With integrated services including medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, primary care nutritional counseling, autism screening, and primary care behavioral health, YVFWC s patient-centered model of care offers patients the full spectrum of care and shelter assistance, energy assistance, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling and testing, home visits, and four mobile medical/dental clinics.
   
   Working at YVFWC
   
   Working in our organization means being the passionate champion for those who have no voice. It means having the opportunity to work with underserved populations and with peers committed to the same work.
   
   At Farm Workers Clinic
   We will consistently trust one another to work for the common good. We will foster integrity by demonstrating ethical behavior and insisting on doing what we say we will do. We will demonstrate transparency by being candid and truthful no matter the risk. We will create partnerships to strengthen ourselves and our community. We will fight for just treatment for all individuals. We will let joy in. We have the courage to be an agent of change and refuse anything short of excellence.
   Our mission celebrates diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find float pharmacists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your float pharmacist job on Zippia to find and recruit float pharmacist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with float pharmacist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new float pharmacist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the float pharmacist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new float pharmacist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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