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Medication Safety Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$65.25 - $104.41/hr

Certified Medication Safety Officer (AMIHM) * AHRQ Medication Safety Certificate * Or other approved equivalent certification Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be a collaborative pharmacy ...

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Medication Safety Officer information

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$21K

$92.6K

$178K

How much do medication safety officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for medication safety officer in the United States is $92,555.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Medication Safety Officer do?

A Medication Safety Officer is a healthcare professional responsible for overseeing medication safety within a hospital or healthcare system. They analyze medication errors, develop and implement safety protocols, educate staff on best practices, and work to minimize risks related to medication use. Their goal is to improve patient safety by identifying potential hazards, promoting safe medication practices, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Medication Safety Officer?

To thrive as a Medication Safety Officer, you need a solid background in pharmacy or nursing, expertise in medication management, and often a PharmD, RN, or similar healthcare qualification. Familiarity with medication error reporting systems, root cause analysis tools, and regulatory compliance platforms is typically required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and promoting a culture of safety. These competencies are vital for identifying risks, implementing safety strategies, and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by Medication Safety Officers in healthcare settings?

Medication Safety Officers often encounter the challenge of fostering a culture of safety among diverse healthcare teams, which may involve addressing resistance to change and ensuring consistent adherence to safety protocols. They also face the task of analyzing complex medication error reports and implementing system-wide improvements while balancing daily operational demands. Additionally, staying updated with the latest regulations and best practices requires continuous learning and collaboration with pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff.

What is the difference between Medication Safety Officer vs Pharmacovigilance Specialist?

AspectMedication Safety OfficerPharmacovigilance Specialist
CredentialsCertification in medication safety, healthcare backgroundPharmacovigilance training, healthcare or pharmaceutical background
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companiesPharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, CROs
Industry UsageFocuses on medication safety programs and complianceMonitoring drug safety data and adverse event reporting

While both roles involve drug safety, the Medication Safety Officer primarily manages medication safety programs within healthcare settings, ensuring compliance and safety protocols. The Pharmacovigilance Specialist focuses on monitoring and analyzing adverse drug reactions, often within pharmaceutical companies or regulatory bodies. Both roles require healthcare or pharmaceutical backgrounds but differ in scope and specific responsibilities.

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What cities are hiring for Medication Safety Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Medication Safety Officer job openings:

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What states have the most Medication Safety Officer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Medication Safety Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,555 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Medication Safety Officer

Cottage Health

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

$174K - $262K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Cottage Health rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


The Medication Safety Officer (MSO) is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive medication safety program across Cottage Health. The MSO provides strategic and operational leadership to improve medication-use processes and prevent adverse drug events (ADEs). The role collaborates with pharmacy, nursing, medical staff, and quality teams to advance a culture of safety across the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.
Level of Education
Minimum: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Preferred: Master's in healthcare quality, public health, or administration
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
Minimum: Active California pharmacist license
Preferred:
  • Board Certification (e.g., BCPS, BCPPS)
  • Certification in Medication Safety (e.g., ISMP Fellowship, CPPS - Certified Professional in Patient Safety)

Technical Requirements
Minimum: Proficiency in using electronic health records (e.g., Epic), medication safety surveillance systems, and data analysis tools
Preferred: Familiarity with regulatory standards (Joint Commission, CMS, CDPH, USP 795/797/800)
Years of Related Work Experience
Minimum:
  • Completion of a post-graduate year 2 residency (PGY2) or fellowship or
  • Completion of a post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) plus 3 years of experience in equivalent role or
  • 5 years of experience in equivalent role

Preferred: 2 years of experience or formal training in medication safety
About Us
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.
*Pay for non-physician positions is determined based on related years of experience and internal equity. Eligible employees may also receive additional forms of compensation, including shift differentials, on-call pay, incentive pay, and bonus opportunities, where applicable. Manager and above positions may participate in Cottage Health's annual management incentive program. Physician compensation is determined based upon specialty and may include bonus potential. For more information on our comprehensive Total Rewards offerings, please visit https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards.
If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only.

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