Pharmacy Technician Trainee Program

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Job Summary:

The Pharmacy Technician Training Program is an innovative 14-week program that blends classroom-based learning with experiential training components. Through a combination of instructional and hands-on learning experiences, participants build the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue certification and career advancement as pharmacy technicians.

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Program Highlights

• Start date is April 20, 2026.

• The pay while in the 14-week program is $17.19/hour.

• The Pharmacy Technician Training Program is 14 weeks.

• Schedule: The first 10 weeks are 32 hours per week, Monday - Thursday. Weeks 11-14 are 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

• Shadowing: Participants will be required to complete paid shadowing experiences. Times will vary based on assigned locations, similar to clinical rotations.

• Clinical rotations: Clinical rotations occur at various Vanderbilt Health pharmacy sites. The schedule varies based on the rotation site.

• This is a full-time training program that requires a high level of commitment. Students should not maintain outside employment or be enrolled in another educational program while participating.

• The program provides the following at no cost: textbooks (hard copy and must be returned at the end of the program), E-books (yours to keep), State Pharmacy Technician registration (you will pay $40.00 upfront for fingerprints, but this will be reimbursed), and one CPhT exam.

• To participate in the program, you will need to provide: a laptop (required for coursework and exams), gray scrubs (tops and bottoms, any shade of gray and any brand), closed-toe shoes are required for safety (any color), and school supplies such as notebooks and pens. Parking fees may apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists the pharmacist in the preparation, dispensing and/or distribution of medications. 
• Applies departmental processes regarding inventory control.
• Performs activities as directed by Pharmacists and/or Pharmacy Managers in accordance with federal, state, and local laws/regulations and hospital policies.
•  Delivers outstanding customer service to both internal and external customers. 
• Operates computer systems and utilizes technology. 
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities:

• Pharmaceutical Computer Literacy (Fundamental Awareness): Has demonstrated a basic understanding of computers or has successfully completed training for applications that are used to support medication use processes.
• Pharmaceutical Drug Preparation, Dispensing & Distribution (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully review, prepare, dispense, and distribute prescribed medications. Where applicable, this includes being proficient in the general principles and techniques of asepsis utilized to compound sterile preparations (CSPs) to minimize the risk of contamination.

• Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Compliance (Novice): Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations as they apply to the department and work areas. Maintains current understanding of rules and regulations and facilitates processes that support the application of various rules and regulations. Demonstrates knowledge of process improvement, quality assurance and/or programs. Understands the principles upon which the rules and regulations are based. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement and supports compliance with a federal, state, and local regulations as well as organizational policies and procedures.
• Drug Inventory & Records Management (Novice): Possesses fundamental proficiency working with drug inventory and records management. Demonstrates ability to maintain appropriate inventory levels of medications. Able to collect, organize and/or maintain evaluations of pharmacy or patient related information.​

Core Accountabilities:

* Organizational Impact: Performs clearly defines tasks and methods described in detail to achieve standardized solutions that impact own performance with regular guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Follows a well established process to solve routine problems where solutions are clearly prescribed. * Breadth of Knowledge: Has basic job knowledge of systems and procedures that are common to own job. * Team Interaction: Individually contributes to the team.

Core Capabilities :

Delivering Excellent Services : Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality : Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively: Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources.Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation :Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

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Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.