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Pharmacy Assistant Trainee Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Pharmacy Assistant Trainee information

What are some common challenges faced by pharmacy assistant trainees during their initial training period?

Pharmacy Assistant Trainees often encounter challenges such as learning to balance customer service with accuracy in dispensing medications, adapting to fast-paced environments, and becoming familiar with pharmacy software systems. They may also need to quickly develop strong communication skills to effectively interact with pharmacists, customers, and healthcare providers. With guidance from experienced team members, most trainees gradually become more confident in managing these responsibilities and adapting to the workflow of a busy pharmacy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pharmacy assistant trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pharmacy Assistant Trainee, you need a basic understanding of pharmaceutical products, attention to detail, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with pharmacy management systems, point-of-sale software, and inventory tracking is often required. Strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills help you interact effectively with customers and support pharmacists. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensuring accurate dispensing, regulatory compliance, and a positive customer experience in a pharmacy setting.

What is a pharmacy assistant trainee?

Pharmacy Assistant Trainees are entry-level employees who work under the supervision of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to learn the basic tasks involved in a pharmacy setting. Their duties typically include assisting customers, restocking shelves, managing inventory, and processing prescriptions. They receive on-the-job training to develop the skills needed for pharmacy operations, customer service, and handling medications safely. This role is often a starting point for individuals interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy or healthcare.

What is the difference between Pharmacy Assistant Trainee vs Pharmacy Assistant?

AspectPharmacy Assistant TraineePharmacy Assistant
QualificationsTypically enrolled in or completing relevant training or certification programsCompleted certification or training, qualified to assist in pharmacy tasks
Work EnvironmentOn-the-job training, supervised learning in pharmacy settingsFull-time role working alongside licensed pharmacists
Employer UsageUsed as a training position within pharmacies or retail outletsEmployed as a full-fledged pharmacy support staff member

The main difference is that a Pharmacy Assistant Trainee is in training and gaining experience, while a Pharmacy Assistant has completed necessary qualifications and is authorized to perform pharmacy support duties independently.

What are popular job titles related to Pharmacy Assistant Trainee jobs in Iowa? For Pharmacy Assistant Trainee jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Pharmacy Assistant Trainee job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Pharmacy Technician Trainee 100%- North Liberty Hospital

University of Iowa

North Liberty, IA • On-site

$19.09/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Pharmacy Technician, Trainee

University of Iowa Health Care - Medical Center North Liberty department of Pharmacy is seeking a 100%, Pharmacy Technician, Trainee. Under general supervision performs activities associated with drug distribution and control for outpatient and clinic patient dispensing.

The department intends to hire at either the pharmacy tech, certified or trainee classification based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your application materials the position you wish to be considered for.

Characteristic duties and responsibilities include:

  • Perform activities associated with inventory maintenance in satellites and dispensing areas including emergency drug supplies
  • Review pharmacy medication inventory for expired medications.
  • Maintain medication inventory levels according to established par levels when available
  • Manage inpatient Epic In-Baskets which includes printing labels for missing medications, determining the amount of medication required to prepare the intended dose, preparing and/or package of medications; preparing the label; documentation of activities and printing the discharge patient list and removing their medication from the patient care unit
  • Deliver medications to patient care areas, return medications from patient care areas that are no longer needed.
  • Ensure that medication security is maintained when working in the patient care unit medication rooms. This includes the integrity of security (door/lock etc.), security of medications inside the medication room (controlled substances locked properly), medications inside room are stored correctly (properly dated and refrigerated is needed).
  • Maintain accurate controls and security regarding controlled substances both in and out of the pharmacy area, including inventory records regarding preparation and delivery to patient care areas.
  • Generate, review and maintain (includes filing) appropriate records related to medication distribution and dispensing. (Forms 127P, 131)
  • Utilize various equipment including, laminar flow hoods, computerized label printers, pharmaceutical packaging and compounding equipment and pneumatic tube system. Utilize, AcuDose Medstations, RemStar and Med Carousel and other automated dispensing equipment.
  • Maintains cleanliness of BSC and other equipment and the clean room in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Completes quality assurance activities and quality control records for documentation of appropriate sterile compounding processes.
  • Maintain competencies in proper sterile product preparation
  • Utilize and adhere to aseptic technique when preparing and manipulating sterile products, including proper handwashing, garbing, product handling and observance of airflow issues within the clean room facility.
  • Compound sterile products including anti-neoplastic drugs in bulk supplies and single doses; utilize aseptic technique in BSC.
  • Maintain proper handling and proper worker safety precautions regarding medications that are considered hazardous (antineoplastic medications) or medications that become hazardous upon waste (EPA designated waste).
  • Package and compound non-sterile products in bulk supplies and single doses.
  • Conducts and documents monthly inspections of patient care areas
  • Assist with on-the-job training of pharmacy students and new technicians; may provide functional supervisor to student technicians
  • Perform activities involving narcotics and controlled substances including daily, weekly and monthly inventories; order replacement supplies from internal source and review documentation records for completeness and contact manager if documentation is not complete.
  • Perform tasks associated with refilling AcuDose Medstations including following proper procedures in picking correct medications to restock AcuDose Medstations, following proper procedures in restocking AcuDose Medstations
  • Assisting pharmacist in conducting inspection of all medications stored on patient care unit.

Schedule: 100% Hourly for Pharmacy Tech, Trainee: $19.09 to commensurate Hours: Rotating schedule, day/evenings Location: Medical Center North Liberty Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits

The new University of Iowa Health Care – North Liberty Campus is a 469,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility serving as the home of UI Health Care's nationally recognized Orthopedics service line. It offers coordinated, comprehensive, and accessible care across outpatient, inpatient, and surgical settings.

In addition to world-class orthopedic care, the campus features a full-service community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, a retail pharmacy, an emergency department, and a wide range of support services. Every element of the facility is thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional experience for patients and staff, support excellence in clinical care, education, and research, and foster meaningful community partnerships.

UI Health Care is building a welcoming, skilled, and collaborative team to help launch this innovative campus and advance our mission: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.

Minimum eligibility requirements:

  • Registered with the Pharmacy Board at the time of hire.
  • All pharmacy technicians must be certified within one year of employment, unless their Pharmacy Technician Trainee registration has been extended by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. In such cases, the technician may continue to work under trainee status, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board and Iowa Code.
  • High school diploma or the equivalent.

Experience:

  • 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

Special qualifications:

  • Ability to calculate ratios & proportions for pharmaceutical needs as demonstrated by a work sample.

Desired qualifications:

  • Experience with inventory maintenance activities
  • Experience working in team environment
  • Experience working in detail-oriented work environment
  • Knowledge of windows-based computer programs
  • Experience working in environment requiring accuracy
  • Experience working in healthcare with one-on-one patient interaction & experience handling challenging interactions in work environment.

Application process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. For questions, contact polly-terukina@uiowa.edu.


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