OPT Clinical Pharmacist Jobs
Clinical Pharmacist roles on OPT typically fall under CIP code 51.2001, making them a strong fit for STEM OPT extension if your pharmacy degree qualifies. Most positions require a PharmD and active state licensure. Hospital systems, retail chains, and specialty practices regularly hire OPT-authorized pharmacists across clinical and ambulatory care settings.
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Get Access To All JobsPenn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: PRN
FTE: 0.0001
Shift: Varied
Evening Shift Differential: $2.00/hour
Night Shift Differential: $2.50/hour
Hours: Varied
Recruiter Contact: Melissa Leota at mleota@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for assuring safe, rational, and cost-effective drug therapy for patients within the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center by assuring the accuracy of drug dispensing, physician order evaluation, monitoring of drug therapy, communicating with all providers involved in the care of patients with respect to pharmacotherapy issues, participating in assuring adherence to Medical Center drug use policy, and providing pharmacotherapy education and information for physicians, nurses, and residents, students, and patients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- B.S. or Pharm.D. degree in pharmacy required.
- Current Pennsylvania Licensure or eligibility required.
- Previous hospital pharmacy experience preferred.
- Must be an effective communicator and have excellent time management and conflict resolution skills.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: PRN
FTE: 0.0001
Shift: Varied
Evening Shift Differential: $2.00/hour
Night Shift Differential: $2.50/hour
Hours: Varied
Recruiter Contact: Melissa Leota at mleota@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Responsible for assuring safe, rational, and cost-effective drug therapy for patients within the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center by assuring the accuracy of drug dispensing, physician order evaluation, monitoring of drug therapy, communicating with all providers involved in the care of patients with respect to pharmacotherapy issues, participating in assuring adherence to Medical Center drug use policy, and providing pharmacotherapy education and information for physicians, nurses, and residents, students, and patients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- B.S. or Pharm.D. degree in pharmacy required.
- Current Pennsylvania Licensure or eligibility required.
- Previous hospital pharmacy experience preferred.
- Must be an effective communicator and have excellent time management and conflict resolution skills.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
See all 623+ OPT Clinical Pharmacist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Pharmacist
Verify your STEM OPT eligibility early
PharmD programs at ACPE-accredited schools often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under CIP code 51.2001. Confirm your degree classification with your DSO before applying so you can accurately represent your work authorization timeline to employers.
Obtain state licensure before your start date
Most hospital and health system employers require an active pharmacist license before day one. NAPLEX and MPJE timelines vary by state, so begin your licensing applications immediately after graduation to avoid gaps that could affect your OPT authorization period.
Target health systems with established OPT hiring
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers hire international pharmacy graduates regularly and often have HR processes already built for OPT employees. Smaller independent pharmacies may lack experience with work authorization requirements, creating avoidable delays in your onboarding process.
Highlight residency training if you completed it
PGY1 or PGY2 residency experience signals clinical readiness and significantly narrows hiring timelines. Employers who see completed residency training ask fewer questions about onboarding complexity, which reduces friction for OPT candidates competing against candidates with unrestricted work authorization.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Clinical pharmacy hiring cycles run three to six months in advance at major health systems. Coming prepared with your EAD expiration date, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B visa cap timeline shows employers you understand your status and reduces concern about authorization gaps mid-employment.
Focus applications on H-1B-friendly specialties
Clinical pharmacy roles in oncology, infectious disease, and critical care are high-demand specialties where employers regularly pursue H-1B sponsorship for strong candidates. Starting in a high-need specialty increases the likelihood your employer will sponsor you beyond your OPT period.
Clinical Pharmacist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Pharmacist on OPT?
Yes, a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited U.S. program authorizes you to work as a Clinical Pharmacist during your OPT period, provided you hold an active state pharmacist license. Your employment must be directly related to your pharmacy degree. Most hospital and health system roles satisfy this requirement without issue.
Does a PharmD qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
PharmD programs classified under CIP code 51.2001 (Pharmacy) are included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, which means you likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since classification can vary by institution. A successful extension gives you up to three years of total OPT work authorization.
Do Clinical Pharmacist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Large health systems, academic medical centers, and hospital networks sponsor H-1B petitions for Clinical Pharmacists with meaningful regularity, particularly in high-demand specialties like oncology, critical care, and infectious disease. Smaller independent or retail pharmacy settings sponsor less frequently. You can browse employers who have filed H-1B petitions for pharmacy roles on Migrate Mate to prioritize your applications strategically.
How does state licensure affect my OPT employment timeline?
You must hold an active pharmacist license in the state where you'll practice before most clinical employers will allow you to work independently. NAPLEX and MPJE score release timelines vary, and some states take six to ten weeks to issue a license after passing. Start the licensing process immediately after graduation so your license is ready when your OPT period begins, avoiding any authorized-but-unlicensed gap.
What counts as qualifying OPT employment for a Clinical Pharmacist?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree field. For PharmD graduates, qualifying roles include clinical staff pharmacist positions, ambulatory care pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, medication therapy management, and clinical pharmacy specialist roles. Administrative or non-clinical positions in unrelated fields do not qualify. Your DSO can review a specific job offer if you're uncertain whether it meets the direct-relation requirement.