OPT Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Pharmacy Technician roles on OPT require state licensure or certification in most states, so timing your job search around your EAD activation date matters. Employers in retail pharmacy, hospital systems, and specialty compounding regularly hire OPT students, and many are familiar with the authorization process.
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The Pharmacy Systems Technician will provide day-to-day operational and technical support for Omnicell Cabinets and Anesthesia Carts, AutoMed, Intelliguard, IPACK, TPN compounder, other packaging systems and other pharmacy technology systems as needed. Pharmacy Systems Technician will help troubleshoot printer and computer issues before contacting the IT Helpdesk. Installs upgrades as needed, troubleshoots. Covers several sites and working irregular hours to perform duties.
Responsibilities:
- Provide day-to-day technical support for Omnicell Cabinets and Anesthesia Carts, Automed and other packaging equipment, Intelligard, and other pharmacy technology as needed.
- Respond to service calls for assigned equipment to support nursing units; primarily at the main hospital, but occasionally may require travel to off-site locations.
- Manage Omnicell par levels to support patient care needs and minimize waste.
- Assist with training and competency assessment for new employees.
- Provide annual training and competency assessment materials as needed.
- Assign security for new employees.
- Assist in designing and delivering reports from pharmacy technology programs.
- Assist in providing pharmacy technology support for equipment at off-site locations throughout the system.
- Able to manage work assignments and complete them by scheduled due dates.
- Consult with users of pharmacy technology regarding problems to identify and resolve the problems.
- Coordinate repairs/replacement of device/parts with users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Certifications:
- Certified Pharmacy Technician Not Required
- Student Pharmacist or Licensed before 1/1/2008 - Exempt/Not Required
- Certified Pharmacy Technician within 2 years of license issue date (IL) - Varies
- Licensed Pharmacy Technician within 60 days of license application - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Education:
- Experience In Lieu of Education; Associate's Degree: Information Technology
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Carle Health Company Overview:
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
SALARY RANGE:
The compensation range for this position is $21.43 per hour - $35.79 per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers.
Overview:
The Pharmacy Systems Technician will provide day-to-day operational and technical support for Omnicell Cabinets and Anesthesia Carts, AutoMed, Intelliguard, IPACK, TPN compounder, other packaging systems and other pharmacy technology systems as needed. Pharmacy Systems Technician will help troubleshoot printer and computer issues before contacting the IT Helpdesk. Installs upgrades as needed, troubleshoots. Covers several sites and working irregular hours to perform duties.
Responsibilities:
- Provide day-to-day technical support for Omnicell Cabinets and Anesthesia Carts, Automed and other packaging equipment, Intelligard, and other pharmacy technology as needed.
- Respond to service calls for assigned equipment to support nursing units; primarily at the main hospital, but occasionally may require travel to off-site locations.
- Manage Omnicell par levels to support patient care needs and minimize waste.
- Assist with training and competency assessment for new employees.
- Provide annual training and competency assessment materials as needed.
- Assign security for new employees.
- Assist in designing and delivering reports from pharmacy technology programs.
- Assist in providing pharmacy technology support for equipment at off-site locations throughout the system.
- Able to manage work assignments and complete them by scheduled due dates.
- Consult with users of pharmacy technology regarding problems to identify and resolve the problems.
- Coordinate repairs/replacement of device/parts with users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Certifications:
- Certified Pharmacy Technician Not Required
- Student Pharmacist or Licensed before 1/1/2008 - Exempt/Not Required
- Certified Pharmacy Technician within 2 years of license issue date (IL) - Varies
- Licensed Pharmacy Technician within 60 days of license application - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Education:
- Experience In Lieu of Education; Associate's Degree: Information Technology
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Carle Health Company Overview:
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
SALARY RANGE:
The compensation range for this position is $21.43 per hour - $35.79 per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers.
See all 60+ OPT Pharmacy Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Pharmacy Technician
Get certified before your OPT starts
The ExCPT or PTCB certification signals competence to employers and meets licensure requirements in most states. Completing this before your EAD arrives removes a common hiring barrier and puts you ahead of applicants who are still pursuing it.
Target hospital and health system employers
Large hospital networks and integrated health systems have HR departments experienced with OPT work authorization. They hire pharmacy technicians at volume and are more likely to understand EAD documentation requirements than independent retail pharmacies.
Apply to chain retail pharmacies early
National pharmacy chains have standardized onboarding processes that include OPT verification. Apply at least six to eight weeks before your OPT start date, since background checks and state licensure verification can add time before your first shift.
Address your OPT status directly and early
Mention your OPT authorization and EAD end date upfront with hiring managers. Pharmacy employers appreciate transparency about work authorization timelines, and it avoids delays during the offer stage when they are verifying Form I-9 documentation.
Highlight any pharmacy-related coursework or internships
OPT employers want evidence that your degree connects to the role. Pharmacy technician positions qualify under health sciences, life sciences, and related STEM fields depending on your major, so explicitly linking your coursework to dispensing or clinical duties strengthens your application.
Ask about STEM OPT extension eligibility before accepting an offer
If your degree qualifies as STEM, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension beyond standard OPT. Confirm this with your DSO before accepting any offer, since it significantly changes how long you can work without needing a visa sponsorship decision.
Pharmacy Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Pharmacy Technician on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Pharmacy technician positions typically qualify under health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, or biology degrees. Your EAD is the work authorization document employers will verify during I-9 onboarding. You cannot start work before your OPT start date, even if you have an offer in hand.
Do pharmacy employers commonly hire OPT students?
Hospital systems, specialty pharmacies, and large retail pharmacy chains regularly hire OPT students because they have HR teams familiar with EAD-based work authorization. Independent or small community pharmacies are less consistent in their experience with OPT documentation. Browsing Migrate Mate gives you access to pharmacy technician roles specifically listed with visa-friendly employers, which saves significant time in your search.
Does a pharmacy technician job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's or master's degree is in a STEM-designated field such as pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, or biology, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The job must also be directly related to that degree. Your Designated School Official can confirm eligibility based on your specific program's CIP code.
What documentation do pharmacy employers need for OPT onboarding?
Employers complete Form I-9 verification, which requires your EAD and a second identity document such as your passport. You will also typically need your F-1 visa, I-20 with OPT authorization, and any state pharmacy technician license or certification the employer requires. Some hospital credentialing processes are more document-intensive than retail pharmacy onboarding, so ask about the full requirement list early.
What happens if my OPT expires while I'm employed as a Pharmacy Technician?
You cannot legally continue working once your OPT authorization expires unless you have a timely filed STEM extension or another work authorization in place. If your employer wants to retain you beyond your OPT period, they would need to sponsor you for a visa such as the H-1B visa. Discuss this possibility with your employer well before your EAD expiration to avoid a gap in employment authorization.