OPT Certified Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Certified Pharmacy Technician jobs on OPT are widely available at retail chains, hospital systems, and specialty pharmacies. Most roles require an active CPhT credential and state registration. Your 12-month OPT period is often enough to establish yourself, and STEM extension eligibility depends on your degree field.
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INTRODUCTION
Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
ORGANIZATION:
VCH Pharmacy
JOB SUMMARY:
Prepares medication for delivery to patient, delivers medications to nursing stations, and restocks automated dispensing cabinets.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Must be a licensed Pharmacy Technician with the state of TN.
- Must also be a Certified Pharmacy Technician through either PTCB or NHA in order to be considered.
- Requirement to work a minimum of (4) shifts in an 8-week period.
- Looking for flexibility to work across different shifts including weekdays and weekends.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Pre-packages medication into unit dose containers, following appropriate guidelines and labeling procedures.
- Mixes pharmaceutical preparations.
- Prepares I.V. admixture formulations using aseptic technique.
- Assists Pharmacist to prepare and dispense medication.
- Receives and stores incoming supplies, checks inventories for outdated supplies.
- Maintains and processes records of medication and equipment dispensed to hospital patient and enters data in computer.
- Trains and supervises new technicians in all phases of pharmacy operations.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
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Drug Inventory & Records Management: Demonstrates proficiency in working with drug inventory and records management. Demonstrates ability to maintain and project appropriate inventory levels of medications. Able to collect, organize, and maintain appropriate pharmacy and patient related information. Able to successfully demonstrate inventory management skills of moderate difficulty. Has expertise in inventory rotation, cycle counting and lot number tracking. Effectively works with electronic databases/catalog.
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Training & Development: Has demonstrated an understanding of the basic characteristics and needs of effective delivery: use of visual aids, demeanor, oral skills and program support requirements. Has had training in course delivery. Observed instructors in course preparation and delivery.
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Pharmaceutical Drug Preparation, Dispensing & Distribution: Demonstrates proficiency of drug preparation, dispensing and distribution in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to review, prepare and assist the pharmacist in dispensing prescribed medications. This includes checking the accuracy and appropriateness of all medications dispensed along with maintaining the sterility of parenteral medications where applicable. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
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Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Compliance: Possesses knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations and applies them in difficult, stressful and complex situations. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of process improvement, quality assurance and/or programs. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement and maintains compliance with a federal, state and local regulations as well as organizational policies and procedures.
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Pharmaceutical Computer Literacy: Has demonstrated a proficient understanding of computers or has successfully completed training for applications that are used to support medication use processes. Is capable of using the fundamental features of pharmaceutical computer applications to support patient care issues of moderate difficulty.
Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.
These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.
Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance.
- Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems.
- Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job.
- Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.
CORE CAPABILITIES
- Supporting Colleagues: Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.
- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.
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Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner.
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Delivering Excellent Services:
- Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.
- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner.
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Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support.
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Ensuring High Quality:
- Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.
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Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department.
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Managing Resources Effectively:
- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service.
- Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources.
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Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error.
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Fostering Innovation:
- Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.
- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action.
- Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Responsibilities:
CERTIFICATIONS:
LIC-Pharmacy Technician - Tennessee
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Relevant Work Experience
EXPERIENCE LEVEL:
1 year
Education:
Graduate of an approved discipline specific program
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Certified Pharmacy Technician
Confirm your CPhT credential before applying
Most employers require an active Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Healthcareer Association credential. Get certified before job searching. OPT students without it are screened out early, regardless of their academic pharmacy background or degree.
Check state registration requirements upfront
Pharmacy technician licensing varies by state. Some states require registration before your first day on the job. Research the requirements in your target state early so registration delays do not eat into your OPT authorization window.
Target hospital and health system employers
Large hospital systems and integrated health networks are more experienced with OPT work authorization than independent pharmacies. Their HR departments regularly process work authorization documentation, making the onboarding process smoother for F-1 OPT students.
Clarify your OPT status early in the process
Bring up your OPT authorization before the offer stage, not after. Explain that you have an Employment Authorization Document and your employer does not need to sponsor a visa to hire you now. This removes a common objection.
Understand your STEM OPT eligibility
If your pharmacy-related degree is classified under a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting a role to understand your full timeline.
Apply to multi-site pharmacy operators
Large retail pharmacy operators and pharmacy benefit managers employ technicians across hundreds of locations. These employers have established HR processes for work authorization documentation and are more likely to maintain employment through your full OPT period.
Certified Pharmacy Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician on OPT?
Yes, as long as your job is directly related to your degree field. A pharmacy technician role typically qualifies if you studied pharmaceutical sciences, health sciences, or a related program. Your Employment Authorization Document is your work authorization. Confirm the connection between your degree and role with your DSO before starting.
Do pharmacy employers need to sponsor a visa to hire me on OPT?
No. During your OPT period, your Employment Authorization Document authorizes you to work without any visa sponsorship from the employer. Many pharmacy technician candidates lose opportunities by failing to explain this clearly. Stating upfront that you already have work authorization and require no sponsorship removes the most common hiring barrier.
Where can I find Certified Pharmacy Technician jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by visa sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Rather than sorting through general job listings where OPT status is unclear, Migrate Mate surfaces pharmacy technician opportunities from employers who are open to hiring on work authorization.
Does my pharmacy technician job qualify me for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree in pharmaceutical sciences or a related field carries a STEM-designated CIP code, and your employer enrolls in E-Verify, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific degree program qualifies before you commit to a role.
What happens to my OPT status if I change pharmacy employers?
You can change employers on OPT, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days. Your EAD remains valid regardless of which qualifying employer you work for. The new role still needs to be directly related to your degree field. Gaps in employment also count against your OPT unemployment limit, so plan transitions carefully.