Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings and one of them is retail.
Retail Pharmacy Technician’s Duties
These differ slightly from location to location as they depend on state law. Usually, pharmacy technicians cannot perform a prescription’s final check or counsel patients on clinical information. In some areas, they can answer patient questions on over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. Common duties include:
Assisting Customers
When customers bring in prescriptions they need filled, pharmacy technicians must obtain or verify information such as their birthdate, address, insurance plan, and whether or not they are taking other medications or have allergies. They also assist customers who call the pharmacy to request refills and physicians and nurses who call to order prescriptions for their patients. Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for accepting payment from customers and helping them find over-the-counter medications or supplies for wound care.
Preparing Prescriptions
After pharmacy technicians enter the prescription information into a computer, they count out the correct number of capsules or tablets by hand or machine, and add them to an appropriate size bottle. Then, they apply a label and place the bottle in a bag. If a customer is waiting, they hand it to him, otherwise, it’s placed in a bin that is specifically for pick up orders. At times, the technicians need to compound medications for several reasons including to remove an ingredient a patient is allergic to.
Inventory Management
Pharmacy technicians routinely take inventory counts to confirm the numbers match computer records. They also rotate stock, dispose of expired medications, order supplies, and verify the order once it arrives.
Clerical and Other Duties
They are also responsible for preparing and submitting claims to patients’ insurance providers, and for cleaning duties such as wiping down the counter or sterilizing equipment.
Additional Requirements
Pharmacy technicians spend much of their workday on their feet, so being able to stand for long periods of time is a must. As is the ability to bend, stoop, reach, and lift up to fifty pounds.
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Education
Some pharmacy technicians are trained on the job, while others graduate from a pharmacy technician program with an associate degree, certificate, or diploma. To ensure the proper curriculum is taught, programs need accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. They are found at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and even the military. Completion usually takes six to twenty-four months, and courses may include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- Drug Classification
- Pharmacy Practice
- Introduction to General Chemistry
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Computers
- Introduction to Healthcare
- Interpretation of Medication Orders
- Principles of Sterile Medication Preparation
- Pharmacology
- Medical Billing
- Medical Terminology
- Human Relations
- Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals
- Pharmacy Administration
- Fundamentals of English
- Calculus
Certification
Most pharmacy technicians obtain certification even if it’s not required in their state as it leads to better employment and higher pay. There are a few organizations that offer certification such as the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Both exams are computer-based and consist of multiple-choice questions.
Job Outlook
The future is bright for pharmacy technicians, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New positions are expected to rise twenty percent until 2022. This is partially due to the fact people are living longer and the changes in healthcare laws.
Salary
Pharmacy technicians earned a median annual salary of $29,650 in 2013. Factors that will influence this number are location, education, certification, and experience.
Becoming a pharmacy technician can happen in a short amount of time. If you would like to learn more about the job duties or training programs, contact us for additional information.
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