Pharmacy Tech Job Description
Pharmacy Technician Job Description:
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other
health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to
help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and
labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug
information, or health matters to a pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians who work in retail or
mail-order pharmacies have varying responsibilities, depending on State rules
and regulations. Technicians receive written prescriptions or requests for
prescription refills from patients. They also may receive prescriptions sent
electronically from the doctor’s office. They must verify that the information
on the prescription is complete and accurate. To prepare the prescription,
technicians must retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the
medication. Then, they prepare the prescription labels, select the type of
prescription container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the
container. Once the prescription is filled, technicians price and file the
prescription, which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the
patient. Technicians may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare
insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
In hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities, technicians have
added responsibilities, including reading patients’ charts and preparing and
delivering the medicine to patients. Still, the pharmacist must check the order
before it is delivered to the patient. The technician then copies the
information about the prescribed medication onto the patient’s profile.
Technicians also may assemble a 24-hour supply of medicine for every patient.
They package and label each dose separately. The packages are then placed in the
medicine cabinets of patients until the supervising pharmacist checks them for
accuracy. The packages are then given to the patients.
Pharmacy technicians work in clean, organized,
well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their
feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve
supplies from high shelves.
Technicians work the same hours that pharmacists work.
These may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in
facilities, such as hospitals and retail pharmacies, that are open 24 hours a
day. As their seniority increases, technicians often acquire increased control
over the hours they work. There are many opportunities for part-time work in
both retail and hospital settings.
Training and Qualifications - what
you have to do to be a Pharmacist Technician
Although most pharmacy technicians receive
informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal
training and certification. However, there are currently few State and no
Federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy
technicians. Employers who have insufficient resources to give on-the-job
training often seek formally educated pharmacy technicians. Formal education
programs and certification emphasize the technician’s interest in and dedication
to the work. In addition to the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools,
vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges offer formal education
programs.
Certification is achieved by passing a
national exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Successful pharmacy technicians are alert,
observant, organized, dedicated, and responsible. They should be willing and
able to take directions. They must be precise; details are sometimes a matter of
life and death. Although a pharmacist must check and approve all their work,
they should be able to work independently without constant instruction from the
pharmacist. Candidates interested in becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have
prior records of drug or substance abuse.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed because pharmacy
technicians interact daily with patients, coworkers, and health care
professionals. Teamwork is very important because technicians often are required
to work with pharmacists, aides, and other technicians.
Licensing and Credentialing
Some states may regulate or license these allied
healthcare professionals. Check with the state board of healthcare licensure in
your state to be sure about licensure for pharmacy technicians.
Significant Points
Job opportunities are expected to be good for full-time
and part-time work, especially for those with certification or previous work
experience.
Many technicians work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
About 7 out of 10 of jobs are in retail pharmacies, grocery stores, department
stores, or mass retailers.
Advancement - chances for promotion
Job opportunities will be better than average.
Increased reliance on pharmacy technicians for routine pharmacy tasks and an
ability to adapt to new technology will fuel demand for these allied healthcare
workers.
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