What do pharmacy technicians do? By choosing to enroll in an online program, you have the advantage of learning at your own pace and completing work according to your own schedule. In an ASHP survey of pharmacy technicians, 81 percent indicated they expect to perform duties of a pharmacy technician for five or more years. In a hospital setting, the pharmacy technician helps fill orders for patients and ensures that they are delivered to the right units. If you already have a full-time job or a growing family, online programs are a fantastic way to better your future without sacrificing what matters most to you, whether that’s spending time with your kids or earning a steady income as you continue your education. Administrators can work in a variety of different settings, from hospitals to closed-door locations. Pharmacy technicians in the retail sector are those that work in your local drug stores or pharmaceutical chains. Greeting customers and receiving written prescription or refill requests, Verifying the information is complete and accurate, Establishing and maintaining patient profiles, Typing prescribed medications and affixing labels, Mixing pharmaceutical preparations according to written prescriptions, Double checking prescriptions are filled correctly, Maintaining proper storage and security conditions for drugs, Cleaning and maintaining equipment or work areas according to prescribed methods, Checking for outdated medications in current inventory, Notifying the pharmacist of stock needs and shortages, Assisting customers by answering telephones, locating OTC items, answering questions, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information. There are specific responsibilities individuals in every career must face. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist to dispense prescription and over the counter medication to customers or health professionals. • Inpatient settings also require you to make IVs, which require special training in aseptic technique (to minimize the risk of infection) and clean room procedures. A closed-door pharmacy is not open to the public, and often services a small, exclusive list of customers with specific needs. A pharmacy technician wishing to become a licensed pharmacist will need to continue their education to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, pass a national pharmacist licensing examination, and complete a certain number of clinical hours. 3. • Educate patient on the instructions, dosage and possible side effects of the medication. 18 Pharmacy Technician Skills to be Successful, Requirements to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Your State, Ten Reasons Why A Pharmacy Technician Should Get Certified, Types Of Programs Available To Become A Pharmacy Technician, Typical Work Day Of A Pharmacy Technician At The Top 5 Retail Pharmacies, Working In Retail Pharmacy VS Hospital Pharmacy. This pharmacy technician job description sample can assist you in creating a job application that will attract candidates who are qualified for the job. 2.2. Becoming a pharmacy technician is a lucrative career choice with a flexible schedule and ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Home   »   Articles   »   Duties of a Pharmacy Technician. pharmacy technicians in activities traditionally performed by pharmacists and/or in activities that directly support pharmacists providing direct patient care services. Another popular choice is to work in a hospital setting, although these positions require a greater understanding of medical knowledge and the ability to work closely with medical staff and healthcare providers. Pharmacy technicians serve as the front line workers in a … And on top of all that, pharmacy technicians can also earn a pretty penny for the work they do. It is also very important to have a positive, respectful attitude toward patients as well as your supervisors. While the duties of an entry level pharmacy technician are the regular ones mentioned above, advanced pharmacy technician positions demand additional duties and responsibilities. They are directly involved with the receiving and dispensing of prescriptions and client/patient contact. Nursing homes, assisted living centers, and mental health institutions fall under the category of closed-door pharmacies. POLICY 3.1. While this job description will include less customer communication face to face, technicians can still expect to communicate with patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies on a regular basis to verify information and fill prescriptions. Closed-door pharmacies are niche operations that can be found in private places, such as long-term care facilities or group homes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted an above-average growth rate for this career path at about 12% in ten years, and experts suspect the pharmacy technician duties will evolve with the needs of the consumer and medical advancements. RPhT - Pharmacy Technician Team Lead Under the supervision of the Cleanroom Supervisor and/or Pharmacist in charge, the incumbent will maintain daily cleanroom production activities and work collectively with the Cleanroom Supervisor in overseeing workflow and staff performance. Take. Technicians work similar hours that pharmacists work. Learning activities have been established in this program to ensure that applicants achieve a satisfactory degree of competence in these nine areas: • Legal, Ethical and Professional Responsibilities (LEP) • Professional Collaboration and Team Work (PCT) Follow daily operations as it relates to general pharmacy law, state pharmacy regulations, and drug therapy regulations. A Typical Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician Primary Tasks and Responsibilities. Copyright © 2020 Pharmacytechnicianguide.com   All Rights Reserved. lesser known facts about a career as a pharmacy technician. Giving Medical Advice As A Pharmacy Technician [What Can Pharmacy Techs Do], DEA Classifies Soma as a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, A Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician. – This is the ability to sincerely listen to what another person is saying and then take the time to understand the points being made by restating or paraphrasing what you have heard in your own words. Another key difference between the two positions is the pay. The pharmacy technician operates under the direct supervision of the pharmacist and is responsible for performing the administrative and service-based duties that keep our customers satisfied. You will greet patients, process their prescriptions, manage inventory and process insurance claims. These technicians should expect a great deal of customer interaction and administrative work, such as receiving inventory, managing stock, processing insurance claims, and so on. Pharmacy technician duties in a military setting are fairly similar to those in the retail sector; however, the environment can be a lot more fast-paced and somewhat stressful if you don’t work well under pressure. CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and mass merchandisers such as Wal-Mart and Target or grocery stores such as Kroger, Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in the Nation - 2019, Top Online Pharmacy Technician Training Programs - 2019, Best Doctor of Pharmacy Programs in the Nation - 2019, 2019 in-depth Pharmacy Technician Salary information, 10 Common Mistakes Pharmacy Technicians Commit on the Job and How To Avoid, 50 Cities Where Pharmacy Technicians Earn The Highest Salary, Comparing Being A Pharmacy Technician With Other Similar Healthcare Careers, Deciding Between Online And On Campus Education, Pharmacy Technician Frequently Asked Questions Answered, How to Become a Pharmacy Technician - 3 Options, List of Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions and How to Answer, Pharmacy Technician Advantages And Disadvantages, Factors To Consider While Selecting The Right Pharmacy Technician School. What Other Jobs Can Pharmacy Technicians Do? The best states for pharmacy technicians boast an average hourly wage of $14 and up. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You should also be comfortable with standing for long periods of time. Their job description entails helping in diverse activities and functions in agreement with standard written policies and principles as well as state and federal requirements. Apart from the regular duties, a pharmacy technician's duties in a hospital setting will include: • Process prescriptions and dispense medications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that licensed pharmacists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $126,120, while the salary of a pharmacy technician averages at around $33,000. • Train entry level pharmacy technicians and ensure they attend other appropriate training programs to enhance their knowledge. Those who are interested in this career path will need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Hospital pharmacy technicians fill high-volume prescription orders in hospitals, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Compounding pharmacies require an advanced level of training and specialty certifications in order to properly compound unique drug combinations. Feel free to revise this description to meet your specific duties and requirements. The two most common environments are inpatient and outpatient, more commonly known as hospital and retail respectively. Compounding Pharmacy. As the medical world continues to develop and evolve, so too will life as a pharmacy technician. In most cases, becoming a military pharmacy technician requires formal military training that will vary from branch to branch. Below, we have provided you with a list of the top-paying states for pharmacy technicians, as well as the lowest-paying states. with the needs of the consumer and medical advancements. • Package and label radiopharmaceuticals. The average base pay for a pharmacy technician is about $13, but this will vary depending on where you live. Responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians in Hospitals. A pharmacy technician can choose to work full-time or part-time, depending on their personal needs and the pharmacy they work for. The pharmacy technician profession is a very important position in the healthcare industry. In addition to different career types, there are also several different settings to choose from, but we’ll dive into that a little later. Pharmacy Technician Knowledge and Abilities, Medical and pharmacy terminology and processing techniques, Chemical procedures used to compound, reconstitute and dilute drugs, Ability to monitor consistency and effectiveness of patient/client communication, Ability to identify issues and recommend solutions. Hospital Pharmacy. Practice settings for pharmacists vary widely from independently owned drugstores to nationwide grocery store chains, medical centers, military bases and marijuana dispensaries. After that you need to fill the medications to be taken later in the day keeping the appropriate doses in mind and make it accessible to the nurse in charge so that she can administer the medication to the patient. • Assist patients, answer their questions, process prescriptions and dispense medications. A pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. • Process prescriptions and dispense medications. Example pharmacy technician job description Our pharmacy is seeking a focused and organized individual to fill the open role of the pharmacy technician at our store. For example, on Glassdoor.com, CVS pharmacy is reported to offer an average base pay of $13. Depending on the work schedule you choose, the skills you possess and the degree you have earned, you can work either in a retail setting, which offers flexible work hours or in a hospital setting, where you can expect higher salaries, but will be expected to work full time, at times even over weekends and on holidays. Should I Become a Pharmacy Technician before Becoming a Pharmacist? What Other Jobs Can Pharmacy Technicians Do? Pharmacy technicians in a compounding pharmacy can expect a higher pay for their knowledge of compounding medications and a few additional responsibilities that go beyond the standard for typical pharmacy technicians. Let us glance through the duties of a pharmacy technician working in a retail pharmacy, in a hospital setting, in nursing home/assisted living and in a mail order pharmacy. Probably 99% of us get into it this way out of all the techs I known and worked with. What State Pays the Most for Pharmacy Technicians? , and the variety of job opportunities is one of them. Having a knack for organization and attention to detail are also important skills required to fulfill the typical pharmacy technician responsibilities. is currently $13.32. is filled with a lot of customer communication, so if you like working with people and you have experience in customer service, this may be a good fit. Another key difference between the two positions is the pay. If you have an interest in the military life and pharmaceuticals, this may be the perfect career for you. They work in a hospital pharmacy or retail pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. – Exceptional customer service involves exceeding customer expectations, where the standard and level of service received exceed what the customer could reasonably define as normal or expected. – This includes knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry and being able to apply that knowledge in order to solve problems. Start a converstation with us by filling out the form below. Life as a pharmacy technician in a hospital setting can be quite different from that of a retail position. There are three key differences between a licensed pharmacist and a pharmacy technician. degree, which can take anywhere from six to eight years to earn, coupled with undergraduate study or a bachelor’s degree. • Operating the machine which includes filling the machines with medicines, loading of paper for labels and general maintenance of the machine forms part of your duty. Pharmacy technicians provide clerical and technical support to pharmacists in hospitals … A day in the life of a pharmacy technician. • Properly maintain and the room and sterilize the equipment in order to avoid spread of infection. online at Career Step and learn the skills and job duties needed for a successful career in this growing and vibrant field. Pharmacy technicians also have the option to work for a mail-order pharmacy. , the average hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in a hospital is $15.76, while the. At a compounding pharmacy, prescriptions are custom made to treat less common disorders and complications. Follow-up on your application status and make it clear your interested. Pharmacy techs can advance their pay and credentials by earning additional specialty certifications, working their way up the internal ladder to become shift leads and supervisors, or continuing their education to become a licensed pharmacist. I’ve been a pharmacy tech for 6 years. Pharmacy administration is a higher-level position responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy, ensuring adequate customer service, organizing pharmacy records, and so on. The typical work hours for a pharmacy tech may include nights, weekends, and holidays, because a pharmacy is something the public needs near-constant access to. • Educate patient on the instructions, dosage and possible side effects of the medication. What a Pharmacy Technician Can and Cannot Do? Depending on the place you choose to work in and the state you live in, your duties vary. By now you probably know there is a fine line between the things pharmacy technicians can and can’t do. Pharmacy administration makes sure everything is running smoothly, and that the pharmacy is up to code on all state laws and safety regulations. According to the. Let us look into the duties fulfilled by advanced pharmacy technicians. The basic pharmacy technician daily tasks still apply to a mail-order pharmacy. Pharmacy benefit managers work to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase convenience in obtaining prescriptions, and improve safety across the board. • Prepare medications which include liquids, powders for intravenous mixing compounding. Collect Information to Fill Prescriptions. These positions will require frequent communication with patients and staff, and may include an extended knowledge of the unique needs of the exclusive customer base. Your email address will not be published. Most prescriptions are now received via e-prescriptions in … Career Step provides an accredited pharmacy technician program you can complete online in as little as three months. Pharmacy technicians play an integral role in the healthcare industry. Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies in retail chain stores, independent pharmacies, clinic and hospital pharmacies; and in related organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, health and life insurance companies, drug wholesalers and pharmacy supply companies.. Pharmacy technician job description. General Pharmacy Tech Job Duties You can learn everything you need to know about, how to become a pharmacy technician on our blog, Eager to start a career as a pharmacy technician and become a part of the healthcare industry in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others? The clinical hours required will vary by individual state laws and regulations, but typically range from 1,200 to 2,000 hours. Working as a hospital pharmacy technician comes with its own unique set of pros and cons. • Perform administrative duties such as billing, printing labels to be affixed upon medicine bottles, entering data, maintaining patient records and processing insurance claims, either electronically or by contacting the insurance company. Why Should You Attend a Pharmacy Technician School & Get Certified? The pharmacy technician profession is a very important position in the healthcare industry. Take pharmacy technician courses online at Career Step and learn the skills and job duties needed for a successful career in this growing and vibrant field. Without pharmacy technicians it’s very likely that medications of all kinds would not be so easily accessible; pharmacists would struggle to keep up with supply and demand, and there would be far more room for error—and in this industry, even the smallest error can result in dire consequences. In most cases, pharmacy technicians cannot compound medications without formal specialty training, nor can they administer vaccinations. Pharmacy technicians have a variety of options to choose from regarding their place of work. Pharmacy technicians in the retail sector are those that work in your local drug stores or pharmaceutical chains. Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for ensuring the availability of medication and delivering medications to the right patients and departments. In some areas of Canada, a shortage of pharmacists has also sparked a review of expanded responsibility and authority for pharmacy technicians. You’ll find that this estimate will vary according to the location you choose and where you live. • Look into the automated dispensing systems and make any required modifications in the drug inventory. – When you use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems you’re using critical thinking skills. • Compound and dispense chemotherapy drugs. While hospital pharmacy technicians have the potential to earn more starting out, both positions can climb their way up the pay scale with various certifications and promotions. Assist local pharmacies with adjudication of claims. We’ve laid it all out for you so you can start planning which area of pharmaceuticals you would do best in. No single job description covers all the 274,000-plus pharmacist positions in the United States. To make things crystal clear, we’ve demonstrated that line for you below. As a pharmacy tech, you can choose to pursue a wide range of different career paths from pharmaceutical science and development to becoming a certified military pharmacist. • You are required to learn the computer program used to operate the machine. This is a very active position with a lot of communication between healthcare providers, patients, and pharmacy staff. The pharmacy tech is the right hand man or woman to the pharmacist, and works alongside the pharmacists to ensure patients’ medication is processed, filled and distributed as efficiently and safely as possible. • Deliver medications to whichever floor requires any stock of a particular drug in the hospital. Interacting with customers and answering questions. https://jobdescriptionswiki.com/pharmacy-technician-job-description They conduct technician meetings twice a week by organizing programs of action. How Much Do Hospitals Pay Pharmacy Technicians? Pharmacy ancillary staff - an intern pharmacist, pharmacy technician, pharmacy technician trainee or other non-licensed pharmacy staff. They also perform monthly inventory counts, file paperwork, and stock inventory. And on top of all that, pharmacy technicians can also earn a pretty penny for the work they do. Receiving Prescriptions. They may also require a certification in their field, as well as an additional specialty certification for compounding medications. What a pharmacy technician cannot do will depend on the setting in which they’ve chosen to work. This management position requires excellent people skills, astute organization, and attention to detail. Pharmacy technicians provide licensed pharmacists with the support they need to do their jobs with accuracy and precision. • Purchase drug and supplies using pharmacy inventory records. Unfortunately, your hours as a pharmacy technician will not count toward your mandatory hours as a pharmacist. Eager to start a career as a pharmacy technician and become a part of the healthcare industry in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others? Report all operations and daily activities to the lead pharmacy technician. Above all else, pharmacy technicians cannot counsel patients regarding their medication. In most cases, becoming a military pharmacy technician requires formal military training that will vary from branch to branch. Pharmacy Benefit Manager. pharmaceuticals, this may be the perfect career for you. 4. reports that licensed pharmacists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $126,120, while the salary of a pharmacy technician averages at around $33,000. When an order comes in, the manifest will be checked for accuracy, and then the medications must be stocked on the shelves. , pharmacy technicians in America earn a median annual salary of $32,700 or $15.72 hourly. This career offers individuals a realistic and profitable career switch later in life, as well as a promising start for anyone with an interest in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacy Technicians at Entry-to-Practice. , the average hourly pay for pharmacy techs at Target is $14.01. How to Become a Pharmacy Technician [Expert Tips & Getting a Job], Using Your Dental Assistant Training to Determine Your Asking Salary, 3 Reasons Alternative Education Is Here to Stay, How to Get Back on Your Feet With CareerStep’s Online Certification. Typical knowledge and skills include: As pharmacy technicians work with all types of people, it is important to have strong communication and customer service skills. CURRENT STATE OF TECHNICIAN ROLES If you’re aspiring to become a pharmacist one day, why not immerse yourself in the industry and gain a wealth of experience on your way to the top? For one thing, there is far more training and schooling required to become a pharmacist. Pharmacy techs have job openings in varied sectors. , CVS pharmacy is reported to offer an average base pay of $13. A pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. The first step to becoming a pharmacy technician is to enroll in an accredited pharmacy technician program. Hopkins told InStyle that her pharmacy’s scripts jumped from 300 to 600 a day in the past week. 2 “We have way more customers, and way more people coming in. We are seeking an experienced, organized, and detail-oriented Pharmacy Technician to join our staff. Pharmacy Technician Job Summary. Pharmacy Technician Responsibilities and Daily Activities 1. Review a Customer’s Prescription Customer service is important for pharmacy technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in America earn a median annual salary of $32,700 or $15.72 hourly. A pharmacy technician is someone who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to process prescriptions, dispense medication, perform pharmacy-related functions, and provide information to customers. In both these settings, as a pharmacy technician, you will be working under a licensed pharmacist. Lastly, there is also a difference between pharmacy technician duties and those of a licensed pharmacist. All work is done under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. What’s the Difference Between a Pharmacist and a Pharmacy Tech? The primary duties of a hospital pharmacy technician include filling and refilling prescriptions. is the right hand man or woman to the pharmacist, and works alongside the pharmacists to ensure patients’ medication is processed, filled and distributed as efficiently and safely as possible. Save yourself from student loans and wasted school time. Under the supervision of the pharmacist, you will answer phones, gather contact and insurance information from patients, verify insurance coverage, and fill prescriptions.