Pharmacy Technician Jobs in Iowa
Pharmacy Technician jobs in Iowa are steady and in consistent demand, with hiring concentrated in retail pharmacy chains, hospital systems, and long-term care facilities across a range of experience levels from entry-level to lead technician. The strongest hiring metros are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where employers like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and CVS Health maintain ongoing openings. The most in-demand specialties include hospital inpatient pharmacy, oncology pharmacy support, and retail compounding. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.
Job Summary:
Location: Methodist Jennie EdmundsonAddress: 933 E. Pierce St. - Council Bluffs, IA
Work Schedule: This is a casual/PRN position. Casual/PRN employees work on an ‘as needed’ basis to meet the needs of the business. Work days/hours will often vary from week to week. one weeknight shift 430-9 and one weekend shift either 7-330 or 1230-9pm
Under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, this role is to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy department not requiring the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Function in strict accordance with standard, written procedures and guidelines; Triages medication requests and determines priorities, of processes orders and notifies the pharmacist as appropriate. Manufactures, packages, and labels drug products as needed.
Performs aseptic compounding of parenteral admixtures and other sterile dosage forms. This includes the practice of aseptic technique, proper procedures for preparing all types of parenteral admixtures (excluding chemotherapy or other specialty solutions), preparation of the label and any control records, the proper technique for visual inspection of parenteral solutions, and the documentation of quality control.
Performs various functions associated with an institutional drug distribution system. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of drug dispensing and compounding automation, the viewing of medication orders in the pharmacy computerized system, the preparation of medications for patients, the procedures that apply to record keeping and dispensing of controlled substances, non-formulary drugs, and the delivery and exchange of medications.
Participates in the training and/or orientation of new pharmacy employees. Interacts effectively with other members of the health care team on a regular basis. Maintains honest and attentiveness to the rights of patients. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Performs other tasks as assigned.
Handles all medical requests and process orders for clients.
Responsibilities:
Essential Job Functions
Transfer of medication issues is communicated between the pharmacy team.
- ALL issues and pending transactions are communicated to staff for completion.
Sterile Compounding Management.
- Pass Low Risk Level Competency and manage FLOW of products.
- Pass Medium Risk Level Competency and mange FLOW of products.
Central Pharmacy Management.
- Answers telephone calls on a respectable level and completes necessary follow-up.
- Able to manage Unit Dose area, including Omnicell.
- Able to operate and manage Pharmacy equipment (carousel, UD packager, etc).
- Operates Controlled Substance system (CSM), manages associated paperwork, understands controlled substance policies.
- Crash Cart, other kits/trays (eg, perfusion, anesthesia, etc) addressed/filled prior to end of shift.
- Uphold customer service expectations, as defined in the Employee Standards of Behavior.
Patient Care Unit Management.
- Completes all Omnicell Pending and Loads prior to end of shift.
- ALL credits are checked per shift, returned to pharmacy, and put in proper location
Teamwork exhibited by actions.
- Completion of orders to point of delivery (visual inspections while staffing).
- Follows established policies and procedures for pharmacy operations.
- Respectful of pharmacist oversight of activities (feedback from pharmacists).
Central Pharmacy.
- Actions represent the best interest of the patient (observational).
- Follows all Safety Alerts: Code Red; Code Triage; Code Adam.
Hazardous Drugs.
- Demonstrates ability to safely handle and deliver Hazardous Drugs.
IV Room Responsibilities:
- Pharmacy Interns will triage medication request and prioritize accordingly, of processes orders and notifies pharmacist accordingly.
- Compound, package and label drug products as needed.
- Performs aseptic technique, proper procedures for preparing all types of intravenous admixtures (excluding chemotherapy but other specialty compounding with proper training and instruction).
- Preparation of proper labeling for said admixtures, proper technique for visual inspections of admixtures and documentations for quality control.
Main Pharmacy Responsibilities:
- Performs various duties associated with an institutional drug distribution system (batch runs). This includes but not limited to, the use of drug dispensing and compounding automation, viewing of medication orders in the Cerner computer system, the preparation of medication for patients.
- The procedures that apply to record keeping and dispensing of controlled substances, non-formulary drugs and the delivery and exchange of medications.
Universal Pharmacy Responsibilities:
- Participates in the training and orientation of new pharmacy supportive personnel.
- Interacts effectively with other members of the Healthy System team on a regular basis while maintaining an honest and attentiveness to the rights of patients, maintains confidentiality of patient information.
- Help maintain a sufficient inventory level for all medications and supplies in all areas of the Pharmacy Department.
Schedule:
This is a casual/PRN position. Casual/PRN employees work on an ‘as needed’ basis to meet the needs of the business. Work days/hours will often vary from week to week. One weeknight shift 430-9 and one weekend shift either 7-330 or 1230-9pm
Job Description:
Job Requirements
Education
High School Diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) required.
Experience
Age at least 18 years of age with no current drug or alcohol addiction/convictions of any drug related misdemeanor or felony.
Some experience in a hospital pharmacy preferred.
License/Certifications
Registration with work state as a Pharmacy Technician (RPHT.NE) or Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPHT.IA) at the start of employment required.
For Iowa, if registered as an Iowa Pharmacy Technician Trainee, must obtain a CPHT.IA within 1 year of Trainee Registration required.
Certified by Board approved state or national pharmacy technician certification program (CPHT) within 12 months of state registration required.
American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) preferred.
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
Must possess certain demonstrated abilities and a thorough knowledge base, understanding, and level of proficiency to assure adherence to the procedures and objectives of pharmacy services. These abilities and knowledge include general basic chemistry, arithmetic, basic algebra, reading, and writing.
Interpersonal Skills: To communicate effectively with hospital personnel, patients and the public through daily rounds, meetings, and formal presentations.
Computer Skills: Microsoft Outlook, Word, basic.
Analytical Skills: Must be able to interpret and evaluate medication request for triaging to pharmacist.
Time Management Skills: Ability to prioritize time and tasks according to the needs of patients without prompting.
Physical Requirements
Weight Demands
Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.
50 pounds of force for one person or up to 100 pounds of force with assistance from a second person with the ability to meet Medium Work Weight Demands. A cabinet with a height of greater than 60" requires two individuals to move.
Physical Activity
Not necessary for the position (0%):
Climbing
Crawling
Kneeling
Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
Balancing
Crouching
Lifting
Pulling/Pushing
Sitting
Stooping/bending
Twisting
Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
Carrying
Distinguish colors
Grasping
Keyboarding/typing
Reaching
Repetitive Motions
Speaking/talking
Standing
Walking
Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
Hearing
Seeing/visual
Job Hazards
Not Related:
Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
Explosives (pressurized gas)
Electrical Shock/Static
Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc.)
Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
Rare (1-33%):
Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF)
Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
Equipment/Machinery/Tools
Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
About Methodist:
Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.
Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.
See All 47 Pharmacy Technician Jobs in Iowa
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Find Pharmacy Technician JobsPharmacy Technician Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Insurance
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in pharmacy technician jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa pharmacy technician registration with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy
- National certification such as PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT preferred or required
- High school diploma or GED as minimum education requirement
- Accurate data entry skills and familiarity with pharmacy dispensing software
- Ability to read and process medication orders with attention to detail
- Prior retail or hospital pharmacy experience for non-entry-level positions
Pharmacy Technician Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Iowa?
To work as a pharmacy technician in Iowa, you must register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy before beginning work. Iowa requires candidates to hold a high school diploma or equivalent and pass a background check. Most employers also expect or require national certification through the PTCB or NHA. Some community colleges in Iowa, including Des Moines Area Community College, offer pharmacy technician training programs that prepare candidates for both the state registration and national exams.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Iowa?
Pharmacy technicians in Iowa earn a median of about $44,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $36,140 for the lowest 10% to over $52,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire pharmacy technicians in Iowa?
Iowa pharmacy technician roles are posted by Walgreens, Hy-Vee, and The University of Iowa and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's mix of large hospital systems, regional health networks, and national retail pharmacy chains means openings appear across both clinical and retail settings throughout the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most pharmacy technician jobs?
Iowa City, Ankeny, and Sioux City have the most pharmacy technician openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share of listings because of its concentration of major hospital systems and retail pharmacy operations, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport generate consistent demand through regional medical centers and the pharmacy chains serving their surrounding communities.
Are there remote pharmacy technician jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 25% of pharmacy technician openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that most pharmacy technician work requires physical presence to handle medications and assist patients. The roles most likely to have remote components are specialty pharmacy prior authorization support and mail-order pharmacy call center positions.
How can I get hired as a pharmacy technician in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a state-approved pharmacy technician training program, then registering with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and pursuing national certification. Large Iowa employers such as UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care hire technician trainees and offer on-the-job learning for candidates who are registered and certified or in progress. Candidates coming from roles such as pharmacy clerk, medical assistant, or hospital unit secretary often find it easier to move into a technician position because of their existing exposure to clinical workflows.
Where can I find and apply to pharmacy technician jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to pharmacy technician jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and credentials, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 47 Pharmacy Technician Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Pharmacy Technician Jobs