Staff Pharmacist Jobs for OPT Students
Staff Pharmacist roles qualify for OPT work authorization under CIP code 51.2001 (Pharmacy). Most positions are full-time and directly tied to your pharmacy degree, making STEM OPT extension eligibility straightforward. Retail chains, hospital systems, and specialty pharmacies all hire OPT students, though H-1B sponsorship rates vary significantly by employer type.
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We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Job Purpose and Summary:
At CVS Health, we are focused on transforming health care for our customers and making our company a great place to work. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs, and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. Within our Retail locations, we bring this promise to life with heart every day. Our Staff Pharmacists play a critical role in cultivating a culture of excellence in their pharmacy by acting as a role model for all, demonstrating genuine care, and setting the bar for the pharmacy team.
As a Staff Pharmacist, you play a critical role at the forefront of delivering our purpose, modeling our values, and demonstrating genuine, authentic care for our patients. In addition to supporting the Pharmacy Manager in leading and directing the pharmacy team, you are accountable for supporting the management, oversight, and operation of all aspects within your pharmacy.
The Staff Pharmacist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Living our purpose by helping to manage and improve patient health through safe and appropriate dispensing, counseling, and immunizing practices
- Taking direction from the Pharmacy Manager and overseeing the pharmacy as their proxy during bench shifts without overlap, including strengthening pharmacy performance measures through effective coaching and consistent follow-up of pharmacy team members and providing feedback about pharmacy team performance to the Pharmacy Manager as needed
- Assumes Pharmacy Manager’s day-to-day duties when serving as the only or the primary pharmacist-on-duty
- Supporting safe and accurate prescription fulfillment by following—and directing the pharmacy team to follow—pharmacy workflow procedures and utilizing the safety guardrails at every workstation
- Contributing to positive patient experiences by showing empathy and genuine care, and coaching the pharmacy team to do the same: demonstrating compassionate care, collaborating with the patient’s total healthcare team, and proactively resolving insurance and/or medication issues
- Proactively offering and delivering immunizations to keep patients healthy; engaging and supporting Pharmacy Technicians to learn to immunize
- Supporting the effective management of pharmacy inventory by following—and coaching the pharmacy team to follow—all inventory best practices, with a special focus on protecting cold chain products for our patients and our business
- Partnering with the Pharmacy Manager to ensure pharmacy operations are compliant with the appropriate state Board of Pharmacy regulations at all times; escalating issues or concerns to the Pharmacy Manager and/or Rx DL for timely resolution if/as needed
- Remaining flexible for both scheduling and business needs, while contributing to a safe, inclusive, and engaging team dynamic; supporting the Pharmacy Manager by writing the pharmacy schedule if/as directed
- Maintaining relevant clinical and technical skills for the job as the industry evolves (including but not limited to company-required trainings and CMEs); actively seeking opportunities to expand knowledge to better support patients
- Supporting access to care and helping to improve patient outcomes through pharmacist delivered clinical care such as testing and prescribing services (e.g., COVID/Flu, Hormonal Contraception, etc.) where permissible; empowers the pharmacy team to provide holistic care at every step in the patient care journey
- Understanding and complying with all relevant federal and state laws, regulations, professional standards, and ethical principles; complying with CVS Health policies and procedures to help support patient safety and complying with controlled substance dispensing and recordkeeping, to protect patient privacy and security, and to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for our colleagues
Required Qualifications:
- Active Pharmacist License in the state where the Store is located
- Active National Provider Identifier (NPI)
- Not on the DEA Excluded Parties list
Essential Functions:
- Regular and predictable attendance, including nights and weekends
- Ability to complete required training within designated timeframe
- Attention and Focus:
- Ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time
- Ability to pivot quickly from one task to another to meet patient and business needs
- Ability to confirm prescription information and label accuracy, ensuring patient safety
- Customer Service and Team Orientation:
- Actively look for ways to help people, and do so in a friendly manner
- Notice and understand patients’ reactions, and respond appropriately
- Communication Skills:
- Use and understand verbal and written communication to interact with patients and colleagues
- Utilize active listening by giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
- Mathematical Reasoning:
- Ability to use math to solve a problem, such as determining the total number of tablets to dispense, day’s supply, and/or number of full bottles and additional bottles needed to fill a prescription
- Issue Resolution:
- Identifying challenging patient or colleague interactions and choosing the best course of action when faced with multiple options
- Physical Demands:
- Be mobile and remain upright for extended periods of time
- Lift, scan, and bag items
- Reach overhead; stretch or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs to grasp items
- Move fingers repetitively; picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand or arm
- Extend hand(s) and arm(s) multiple directions to place, move, or lift items
- Control precision; quickly adjust machines to exact positions
- Stoop to a considerable degree, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles to move items between low and high positions, including bending spine at the waist
- Close visual acuity to perform activities such as: transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, reading, visual inspection involving small parts
- Occasionally lift of up to 20 lbs. and/or exert up to 20 lbs. of force; Frequently lift of up to 10 lbs. and/or exert up to 10 lbs. of force; Consistently lift and/or exert a negligible amount of force to move objects.
- Express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed accurately
- Have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
- Any additional tasks as directed by Supervisor or Manager
Preferred Qualifications:
- 1-2 years of related work experience in a pharmacy, retail, medical, or customer service setting
- Ability to work in other locations across the market as business needs require
Anticipated Weekly Hours
40
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$60.00 - $76.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits – investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:
- Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
- No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
- Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 04/30/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
Pay: $60.00 - $76.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person

We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Job Purpose and Summary:
At CVS Health, we are focused on transforming health care for our customers and making our company a great place to work. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs, and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. Within our Retail locations, we bring this promise to life with heart every day. Our Staff Pharmacists play a critical role in cultivating a culture of excellence in their pharmacy by acting as a role model for all, demonstrating genuine care, and setting the bar for the pharmacy team.
As a Staff Pharmacist, you play a critical role at the forefront of delivering our purpose, modeling our values, and demonstrating genuine, authentic care for our patients. In addition to supporting the Pharmacy Manager in leading and directing the pharmacy team, you are accountable for supporting the management, oversight, and operation of all aspects within your pharmacy.
The Staff Pharmacist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Living our purpose by helping to manage and improve patient health through safe and appropriate dispensing, counseling, and immunizing practices
- Taking direction from the Pharmacy Manager and overseeing the pharmacy as their proxy during bench shifts without overlap, including strengthening pharmacy performance measures through effective coaching and consistent follow-up of pharmacy team members and providing feedback about pharmacy team performance to the Pharmacy Manager as needed
- Assumes Pharmacy Manager’s day-to-day duties when serving as the only or the primary pharmacist-on-duty
- Supporting safe and accurate prescription fulfillment by following—and directing the pharmacy team to follow—pharmacy workflow procedures and utilizing the safety guardrails at every workstation
- Contributing to positive patient experiences by showing empathy and genuine care, and coaching the pharmacy team to do the same: demonstrating compassionate care, collaborating with the patient’s total healthcare team, and proactively resolving insurance and/or medication issues
- Proactively offering and delivering immunizations to keep patients healthy; engaging and supporting Pharmacy Technicians to learn to immunize
- Supporting the effective management of pharmacy inventory by following—and coaching the pharmacy team to follow—all inventory best practices, with a special focus on protecting cold chain products for our patients and our business
- Partnering with the Pharmacy Manager to ensure pharmacy operations are compliant with the appropriate state Board of Pharmacy regulations at all times; escalating issues or concerns to the Pharmacy Manager and/or Rx DL for timely resolution if/as needed
- Remaining flexible for both scheduling and business needs, while contributing to a safe, inclusive, and engaging team dynamic; supporting the Pharmacy Manager by writing the pharmacy schedule if/as directed
- Maintaining relevant clinical and technical skills for the job as the industry evolves (including but not limited to company-required trainings and CMEs); actively seeking opportunities to expand knowledge to better support patients
- Supporting access to care and helping to improve patient outcomes through pharmacist delivered clinical care such as testing and prescribing services (e.g., COVID/Flu, Hormonal Contraception, etc.) where permissible; empowers the pharmacy team to provide holistic care at every step in the patient care journey
- Understanding and complying with all relevant federal and state laws, regulations, professional standards, and ethical principles; complying with CVS Health policies and procedures to help support patient safety and complying with controlled substance dispensing and recordkeeping, to protect patient privacy and security, and to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for our colleagues
Required Qualifications:
- Active Pharmacist License in the state where the Store is located
- Active National Provider Identifier (NPI)
- Not on the DEA Excluded Parties list
Essential Functions:
- Regular and predictable attendance, including nights and weekends
- Ability to complete required training within designated timeframe
- Attention and Focus:
- Ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time
- Ability to pivot quickly from one task to another to meet patient and business needs
- Ability to confirm prescription information and label accuracy, ensuring patient safety
- Customer Service and Team Orientation:
- Actively look for ways to help people, and do so in a friendly manner
- Notice and understand patients’ reactions, and respond appropriately
- Communication Skills:
- Use and understand verbal and written communication to interact with patients and colleagues
- Utilize active listening by giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
- Mathematical Reasoning:
- Ability to use math to solve a problem, such as determining the total number of tablets to dispense, day’s supply, and/or number of full bottles and additional bottles needed to fill a prescription
- Issue Resolution:
- Identifying challenging patient or colleague interactions and choosing the best course of action when faced with multiple options
- Physical Demands:
- Be mobile and remain upright for extended periods of time
- Lift, scan, and bag items
- Reach overhead; stretch or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs to grasp items
- Move fingers repetitively; picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand or arm
- Extend hand(s) and arm(s) multiple directions to place, move, or lift items
- Control precision; quickly adjust machines to exact positions
- Stoop to a considerable degree, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles to move items between low and high positions, including bending spine at the waist
- Close visual acuity to perform activities such as: transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, reading, visual inspection involving small parts
- Occasionally lift of up to 20 lbs. and/or exert up to 20 lbs. of force; Frequently lift of up to 10 lbs. and/or exert up to 10 lbs. of force; Consistently lift and/or exert a negligible amount of force to move objects.
- Express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed accurately
- Have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
- Any additional tasks as directed by Supervisor or Manager
Preferred Qualifications:
- 1-2 years of related work experience in a pharmacy, retail, medical, or customer service setting
- Ability to work in other locations across the market as business needs require
Anticipated Weekly Hours
40
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$60.00 - $76.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits – investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:
- Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
- No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
- Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 04/30/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
Pay: $60.00 - $76.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Staff Pharmacist
Target hospital and health system pharmacies first
Hospital and health system employers file H-1B petitions far more consistently than retail chains. Large academic medical centers, for example, sponsor regularly and have dedicated HR infrastructure to manage international employee visa processes from OPT through H-1B.
Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Staff Pharmacist positions require a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which satisfies the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B. Keep your pharmacy license, degree transcripts, and state board certifications ready to support any sponsorship petition your employer files.
Ask about sponsorship before accepting a residency or rotation offer
Pharmacy residency programs and rotation sites often convert to permanent hires. Confirming sponsorship willingness early avoids a difficult conversation later when your OPT clock is already running. Many hospital programs have explicit policies on international candidate support.
Check whether your employer qualifies for cap-exempt H-1B filing
Pharmacists employed by nonprofit hospitals, university medical centers, or research institutions may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions. This bypasses the lottery entirely, which is a significant advantage given how competitive the annual H-1B cap has become.
Apply before your OPT authorization ends, not after
Pharmacy licensing timelines can be slow. Factor in NAPLEX, MPJE, and state board processing when calculating your OPT runway. Starting your job search at least six months before your EAD expiration gives you room to clear all licensing hurdles before you need work authorization.
Use your PharmD program's career network strategically
Your pharmacy school's alumni network and preceptor relationships are among the highest-converting job search channels for OPT students. Pharmacists who supervised your APPEs know your clinical skills firsthand and can advocate internally when sponsorship is part of the conversation.
Staff Pharmacist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Staff Pharmacist JobsSee all 558+ Staff Pharmacist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Staff Pharmacist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Staff Pharmacist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Pharmacy programs classified under CIP code 51.2001 are on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, which means PharmD graduates are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This gives you up to three years of total OPT work authorization, significantly improving your chances of clearing the H-1B lottery cycle while employed.
Which types of pharmacy employers are most likely to sponsor visas?
Nonprofit hospital systems, academic medical centers, and integrated health networks sponsor H-1B visas most consistently for pharmacists. Retail pharmacy chains sponsor far less frequently because their HR infrastructure is typically not set up for individual petition management. When browsing Staff Pharmacist roles on Migrate Mate, you can filter specifically for employers with a verified H-1B sponsorship track record.
Can I work as a Staff Pharmacist on OPT before I receive my state pharmacy license?
Your OPT EAD authorizes you to work, but you cannot legally practice as a pharmacist without a valid state license. Most states require passing the NAPLEX and MPJE board exams before licensure. Some employers will hire you on a provisional basis while you complete licensing, but confirm this arrangement explicitly before accepting an offer and starting your OPT clock.
Does my PharmD degree satisfy the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B?
Yes. The Staff Pharmacist role has a clearly defined educational requirement: a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and state licensure. This satisfies USCIS specialty occupation criteria because the position normally requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, and PharmD programs go well beyond that threshold. Sponsorship attorneys rarely face challenges on this particular occupation.
What happens to my OPT if I switch from a retail pharmacy job to a hospital role?
Switching employers on OPT is permitted as long as the new role is directly related to your pharmacy degree and you report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days. There is no gap in work authorization during the transition, but your SEVIS record must reflect the updated employer information. For STEM OPT, your new employer must also file a valid I-983 training plan with your DSO.
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