Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in providing health care and medications to patients. They usually carry out routine tasks like prescribed medication preparation, labeling bottles and counting tablets. Often, they carry out administrative duties like stocking shelves, answering phones and operating the cash registers. Technicians refer questions related to drug information, prescriptions or health related matters to the pharmacist.
A pharmacy technician working part time in mail-order or retail pharmacies have diversified responsibilities. They receive requests or written prescriptions from patients for the prescription refills. Often, doctors send prescriptions electronically which have to be received by the pharmacy technicians followed by verifying the completeness and accuracy of the prescription information. For preparing the medicine, they have to count, retrieve, pour, measure, weigh and often mix ingredients to make prescribed medicine. They must also prepare the labels on medications along with selecting a proper container. The prescription must be affixed along with the auxiliary labels onto the container. Filling and pricing of the prescription are also completed by the technicians.
In nursing homes, assisted-living services and hospitals, technicians have more responsibilities that include going through patient's charts and the preparation of proper medication. They may have to assemble medicines for patients throughout the day. A pharmacy technician labels and packages each dose separately. The prepared medications are then placed a patient's medical cabinets till they are checked for accuracy.
Most employers prefer candidates who are certified and formally trained. You must have a background in mathematics and sciences while in high school. Knowing about medical terms will prove beneficial. You must complete a certificate program to be a Pharmacy Technician. National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam after graduation will improve your credentials. You must also get yourself registered with the Board of Pharmacy as most states require that the candidate for a pharmacy technician position must be register with the Board before applying for trainee position.
People working as pharmacy technicians should possess excellent teamwork skills and customer service skills, since technicians interact with many patients, medical professionals and co-workers. Reading, spelling and mathematical skills are also necessary. They need to be alert, organized, observant, responsible and dedicated. Excellent communication skills are required to provide information to customers, physicians and pharmacy management.
Pharmacy technicians are given on the job training that covers all aspects of the job. However candidates with formal training are preferred.
Although pharmacy technicians are provided training once they are recruited, prior experience would certainly be an advantage in getting the desired job. Prior experience will increase salary and responsibilities for a more rewarding career.
It is estimated that the employment growth is expected to increase faster than the current rate by the year 2016. Good employment opportunities are expected in the future. The estimated growth rate is approximately 32%.
The salary of a part-time pharmacy technician depends on their area of work which includes Grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies and surgical and general medicine hospitals. With experience, pharmacy technicians can be promoted to higher positions with higher pay rates.
It is necessary to get information about the various certification programs available for pharmacy technicians. This is a rewarding field for an individual who enjoys working with and helping people.
