Full-Time
Pharmacist
Updated on 9/10/2026
Essentia Health
5,001-10,000 employees
Nonprofit integrated healthcare for rural areas
Compensation Overview
$162.7k/yr
Detroit Lakes, MN, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, PharmD
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1) |
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- Graduate of a college of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, with a Bachelor of Science or PharmD degree.
- Licensed as a Registered Pharmacist by the Board of Pharmacy in the state in which they will be working, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
- If currently registered as a pharmacist in another state, registered with the Minnesota or Wisconsin Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacist-Intern and actively pursuing licensure as a Registered Pharmacist, with licensure obtained within 90 days of hire.
- New hires must obtain licensure within 90 days of hire.
- Maintain ongoing continuing education and license renewal as required by the state Board of Pharmacy.
- Obtain Basic Life Support certification within one week of hire.
- Hold Immunization Delivery Certification at the time of hire.
- Interpret, dispense, and monitor medications to provide quality pharmaceutical services to patients, physicians, and other health care professionals.
- Optimize drug therapy to improve patients' quality of life and health outcomes.
- Provide access to medications and immunizations.
- Participate in clinical initiatives and assist with daily pharmacy department activities.
- Train new staff and pharmacy students.
- Supervise pharmacy technicians and interns.
- Resolve customer service issues.
- Perform billing, record keeping, and monthly audits.
- Manage inventory and care for supplies and equipment.
- Handle cash accurately.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the department leader.
Essentia Health operates as a large non-profit, integrated health system serving rural communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It runs 14 hospitals and 79 clinics plus long-term care, home health, and ambulance services, delivering primary care, heart and vascular, cancer care, orthopedics, obstetrics, and more, with support from digital health including extensive telehealth. The company earns revenue from patient care and increasingly from value-based care arrangements that tie payments to outcomes and costs. Its goal is to improve rural health access and outcomes by coordinating care across hospitals and clinics, reinvesting profits into community health, and expanding access through scale, IT, and partnerships.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$230K
Headquarters
Duluth, Minnesota
Founded
2004
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Essentia opened Cloquet Clinic expansion on August 24, 2026, nearly doubling local capacity.
- Fosston teleconsults expanded since April 2026 into cardiology, oncology, nephrology, and behavioral health.
- Essentia hired Jason Craig as executive vice president on August 3, 2026.
What critics are saying
- Two open NLRB cases in 2026 accuse Essentia of retaliation and bad-faith bargaining.
- Essentia's Virginia ER expansion signals persistent financial strain at a hospital needing donors.
- Failing rural reimbursement or labor relations would crush Essentia's value-based model by 2027.
What makes Essentia Health unique
- Essentia owns 14 hospitals and 79 clinics across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
- Its rural model ties teleconsults, pharmacies, and clinics into one integrated referral network.
- David Herman joined Joint Commission leadership on May 26, 2026, boosting quality credibility.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Flexible Work Hours
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Wellness Program
Gym Membership
Phone/Internet Stipend
Professional Development Budget
Tuition Reimbursement
Conference Attendance Budget
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Paid Vacation
Salary/Bonus incentives not a benefit
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
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↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 0%Essentia hospitals in Brainerd, Detroit Lakes ranked among the best by Forbes. Reflecting their commitment to provide the best possible patient care, Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes were named two of the top hospitals in Minnesota for 2026 by Forbes. St. Joseph's and St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes were two of 14 Minnesota hospitals to receive a five-star overall rating. Of the approximately 2,600 hospitals that met Forbes' inclusion criteria, only 259 earned five stars (less than 10%). This is the second consecutive year St. Joseph's and St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes received the five-star designation. The "unbiased, data-driven rating system" identifies "general acute care hospitals across the country offering high-quality healthcare services," according to Forbes, which used healthcare quality measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog to devise its top hospitals methodology. These CMS measures assess things like patient outcomes and experience, value and hospital best practices. "These recognitions reflect the talent, compassion and unwavering commitment of our clinicians and staff who care for our patients in and around Brainerd," said Todd DeFreece, senior vice president of operations for Essentia in the Brainerd Lakes area. "Honors like these reinforce our dedication to excellence as we continue to make a healthy difference in our community." "We're honored to continuously be recognized as one of the best hospitals in Minnesota and across the country," said Rachel Lawlor, vice president and administrator for Essentia in Detroit Lakes. "We're always moving healthcare forward, and this is another reminder that the tireless work of our team is benefiting all the patients who entrust us with their care." This latest recognition follows numerous other awards and distinctions for St. Joseph's and St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes. Both have been named top 100 rural hospitals by the Chartis Center for Rural Health multiple times, while St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes ranked 17th out of more than 800 on a list of "small community hospitals" by Fortune/Merative in 2022. St. Joseph's has received a prestigious five-star rating from CMS, and St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes has earned four stars. Both are Birthing-Friendly Hospitals.
Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic welcomes psychiatrist Dr. Katharine Andrews. Published August 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM Dr. Katharine Andrews, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, is thrilled to join the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. "I chose to join Essentia because I value its commitment to serving communities and meeting patients' healthcare needs," said Dr. Andrews. "The organization also supports the development of my interests and passions." Dr. Andrews earned her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. She completed her psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. "I have always been interested in human behavior and the emotional experience," said Dr. Andrews. "I love the opportunity to work with whole families. Having grown up with two brothers with neurodevelopmental disorders, I have always had a passion for serving this community." To schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrews, please call (218) 786-1186. To see her full profile, please visit EssentiaHealth.org and click on "find a doctor."
Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic welcomes gastroenterologist Dr. Triston Berger. Published August 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM Dr. Triston Berger, a gastroenterologist, is thrilled to join the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. "While interviewing for Essentia, the comradery was clear to me and many team members, unprompted, spoke very highly of the work environment, which really resonated with me" said Dr. Berger. "The state of the art hospital and other facilities made it clear to me that Essentia is committed to the region, its patients and employees." Dr. Berger earned his medical degree from American University of the Caribbean. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Norwalk Hospital in affiliation with Yale University School of Medicine in Norwalk, Connecticut. "As someone who has been on the patient side of medicine before becoming a physician, I know what it's like to put your trust in someone else to take care of you," said Dr. Berger. "That is not something I take for granted and that perspective is something I take with me into every exam room." To schedule an appointment with Dr. Berger, please call (218) 786-3985. To see his full profile, please visit EssentiaHealth.org and click on "find a doctor."
Bryant joins Essentia Health detroit Lakes Clinic. Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM)- Brooke Bryant, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner, has joined Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes Clinic to practice family medicine. She chose family medicine because she enjoys caring for patients of all ages and building long term relationships with individuals and families. Bryant says it's a great honor to care for people during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Bryant received her education from North Dakota State University in Fargo and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Hospitalist Dr. Gemechu ayana joins Essentia health-fargo. "I was drawn to Essentia Health because of its strong reputation for patient-centered care, collaborative team culture and commitment to serving both urban and rural communities," explained Dr. Ayana. "The opportunity to practice in Fargo, in particular, appealed to me due to the balance of high-quality clinical practice, supportive work environment and the ability to make a meaningful impact on a growing community." Dr. Ayana received his medical degree from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and completed a residency in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Ayana is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. "I chose internal medicine because of its intellectual breadth, complexity and the opportunity to manage a wide range of acute and chronic conditions," said Dr. Ayana. "I am a physician who listens carefully, communicates clearly and treats every patient with respect, compassion and the same level of care I would want for my own family." To see Dr. Ayana's full profile, visit EssentiaHealth.org and click on "Find a Doctor."