Pharmacy technicians play an important role in a pharmacy setting since they assist licensed pharmacists dispense medications to patients.
What is a Pharmacy Technician’s Job Description?
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for many job duties on a daily basis such as:
- Counting pills in accordance to the prescription
- Labeling and packaging prescriptions
- Ensuring the proper storage and security of the drugs is always maintained
- Properly labeling all chemicals and supplies
- Answering patients’ basic questions and referring them to the pharmacist when necessary
- Mixing pharmaceutical compounds and preparing intravenous injections according to a physician’s written prescription
- Keeping the work environment clean
- Accepting payments from patients
- Entering patients’ insurance information into the computer and processing insurance claims
- Reporting all adverse reactions to drugs
- Maintaining records that relate to a patient’s pharmacy care plan and drug therapy
- Coordinating patients’ prescribed pharmacy care with their medical providers in order to make sure their drug therapy is successful
- Pricing and filing filled prescriptions in the proper bin
- Ordering inventory
- Performing all duties in accordance to corporate policies along with state and federal law
- Keeping up with the latest medications to come on the market
- Maintaining home healthcare products
- Delivering medications to patients, nursing stations, and the surgical unit (only applies to those who work in a hospital)
- Answering telephones
Additional Job Description Components
Pharmacy technicians also need to have the following abilities, knowledge, and skills:
- Be detail oriented
- Be self-motivated and be able to work alone
- Accurate data entry skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Good organizational skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office
- The ability to add, subtract, divide, and multiply in all units of measure
- The ability to read and write English and speak the language fluently
- Good oral communication skills
Physical Requirements
Pharmacy technicians must meet several physical requirements such as:
- Lifting, pulling, or pushing ten pounds or more
- Having the ability to stand for long periods of time
- Recognizing the shape, size, texture, and temperature of objects when touching them with their fingertips
- Being able to see objects at close range as well as distinguishing and identifying colors
Employment Requirements
While these vary based on employer, many have the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age (may differ based on state law)
- Be able to type at least thirty words per minute
- Be able to maintain patient confidentiality
- Pass a drug test
- Pass a criminal background check (those who have a felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible for employment as a pharmacy technician)
What are the Educational Requirements?
Many people are surprised to learn that usually all they need is a high school diploma or GED along with on-the-job training in order to work as a pharmacy technician. However, there are pharmacy technician programs found at community colleges and vocational schools that take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Courses vary by program and whether or not students earn a certificate or diploma, and may include:
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- Medical Terminology
- Intervention Management
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Dosage Calculations
Certification
Not all states require pharmacy technicians to obtain certification, though it is best to do so in order to have the potential for a higher salary and better job opportunities. Those who wish to become certified can take an exam administered by one of the following: the National Healthcareer Association or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is positive as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the job growth will be around twenty percent until 2022. The median annual salary in 2013 was $29,650. Those in the highest tier earned $43,320, and those in the lowest took home $20,640.
To learn more about this interesting career, please contact us.
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