Certified Pharmacy Technician

Iowa State University; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University is seeking a Certified Pharmacy Technician to join the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pharmacy team. You will prepare medications, assist with distribution, and support inventory management while delivering excellent patient and client service.

Work closely with pharmacists, veterinarians, faculty, students, and staff to ensure accurate compounding, safe medication distribution, and smooth pharmacy operations in a teaching hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Registered with the Pharmacy Board at the time of hire.
• National certification through the PTCB or NHA with ongoing CE.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of post-high school science experience or approved training program in pharmacy technician.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, package, label, and distribute medications for inpatient, outpatient, and clinic patients with accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare sterile and nonsterile compounded products using approved techniques and equipment.
• Enter and process medication orders in pharmacy software; maintain dispensing records.
• Provide customer service and communicate with clients about procedures, policies, and payments.
• Maintain inventories, receive shipments, manage stock levels, and assist with controlled substances records.

Skills

Pharmacy board registration

PTCB/NHA certification

Pharmacy technician experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Pharmacy technician training program

Job description

Position Title: Certified Pharmacy Technician

Job Group: Merit Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Registered with the Pharmacy Board at the time of hire.
• National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Must meet ongoing education requirements and maintain certification.
• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• Any combination of two years of post‑high school experience and/or education in the natural sciences or satisfactory completion of an accredited pharmacy technician training program.

Job Description

Are you an animal lover looking for a new way to utilize your pharmacy technician skills? Do you thrive in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment where each day brings new challenges and opportunities to care for patients? We are seeking a Certified Pharmacy Technician to join our Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pharmacy team and play a critical role in medication preparation, distribution, inventory management, client communication, and pharmacy operations.

In this position, you will work closely with pharmacists, veterinarians, faculty, students, staff, clients, and fellow pharmacy team members to ensure medications are prepared and delivered accurately and efficiently while supporting exceptional patient care.

Why You'll Appreciate This Position

Meaningful Work: Help clients navigate their pets care journey and play a vital role in their health and happiness.

Collaborative Environment: Work alongside pharmacists, veterinarians, faculty, students, and support staff in a veterinary teaching hospital.

Unique Responsibilities: Combine pharmacy expertise with customer service, student support, medication preparation, and inventory management in a specialized healthcare setting.

Professional Growth: Gain experience in a teaching environment that supports learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

Medication Preparation and Distribution Process, prepare, package, label, and distribute medications for inpatient, outpatient, and clinic patients while maintaining accuracy and compliance with pharmacy regulations.

Prepare sterile and nonsterile pharmaceutical products using approved compounding techniques and specialized pharmacy equipment.

Utilize pharmacy software systems to enter and process medication orders, maintain dispensing records, and support safe medication distribution practices.

Customer Service and Client Communication: Answer client phone calls and obtain information necessary to complete medication orders and prescription requests. Explain pharmacy and hospital procedures, policies, and payment processes to clients. Manage incoming communications, respond to inquiries, and coordinate calls with appropriate hospital departments. Collaborate with pharmacists, healthcare professionals, clients, students, and support staff to provide exceptional service and support pharmacy operations.

Inventory and Pharmacy Operations: Maintain medication and supply inventories, receive shipments, manage stock levels, and assist with controlled substance recordkeeping and accountability. Assist with inventory replenishment to ensure medications and supplies are available to meet patient care needs.

Administrative and Educational Support: Support communication efforts among faculty, students, clinicians, and staff. Train and assist veterinary students in pharmacy processes, procedures, and best practices. Provide pharmacy‑related information and support to veterinarians, faculty, staff, and students as needed.

Additional Information

Regular standing, walking, lifting, and movement throughout patient care and pharmacy areas is required. Employees must maintain required certifications and continuing education requirements throughout employment. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

About the Department

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pharmacy is dedicated to providing safe, accurate, and patient‑centered medication services for animal patients. Our team works collaboratively with veterinarians, pharmacists, faculty, students, and hospital staff to support exceptional patient care, education, and operational excellence. Team members have the opportunity to work with advanced pharmacy technologies while contributing to the health and well‑being of animals and the people who care for them.

Work Schedule

The position requires working Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. There may also be occasional Saturday shifts from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Pharmacy Technician work experience in a hospital, health system, ambulatory care, or specialty pharmacy setting.
• Experience preparing sterile compounded medications.
• Experience preparing nonsterile compounded medications.
• Experience using pharmacy information systems or electronic medication order entry systems.
• Experience managing medication inventory, including controlled substances.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
• Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work‑life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long‑term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12
• Month Work Period Time Type: Full time
• Pay Grade: 10
• Original Posting Date: August 21, 2026
• Posting Close Date: August 30, 2026
• Job Requisition Number: R19825

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications. Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land‑grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community.

Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land‑grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.