What does a pharmacy technician do?

1 Duties and responsibilities

A pharmacy technician's main responsibility is to help pharmacists prepare and dispense prescription drugs to patients or health care providers. This may include measuring, counting, labeling, and packaging medications, as well as verifying the accuracy and completeness of prescriptions. A pharmacy technician may also perform administrative tasks, such as answering phone calls, processing insurance claims, updating patient records, and managing inventory. Depending on the setting and state regulations, a pharmacy technician may also have some clinical duties, such as taking patient histories, providing medication education, and administering immunizations.

2 Skills and qualifications

To become a pharmacy technician, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some states may require you to complete a formal training program or pass a certification exam. A pharmacy technician training program usually lasts from several months to a year, and covers topics such as pharmacology, pharmacy law, pharmacy math, and pharmacy operations. A certification exam tests your knowledge and skills in these areas, and may also enhance your employability and career prospects. Some of the most common certifications for pharmacy technicians are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the ExCPT Exam. Additionally, you need to have certain skills and abilities to succeed as a pharmacy technician, such as attention to detail, communication, customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving.

3 Work environment and schedule

A pharmacy technician can work in various settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, or pharmaceutical companies. The work environment may vary depending on the size, type, and location of the pharmacy, as well as the number and needs of the customers or patients. A pharmacy technician may have to deal with high-pressure situations, such as handling multiple orders, meeting deadlines, and ensuring safety and quality standards. A pharmacy technician may also have to work with hazardous substances, such as chemotherapy drugs or radioactive materials. A pharmacy technician's schedule may depend on the hours of operation of the pharmacy, and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnight shifts.

4 Salary and outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in the United States was $34,020 in 2020, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $24,120 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $50,430. The salary may vary depending on the experience, education, certification, location, and setting of the pharmacy technician. The employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to increase as the population ages, the use of prescription drugs expands, and the role of pharmacists evolves.

5 Benefits and challenges

A pharmacy technician can enjoy a dynamic and rewarding field that helps people improve their health and well-being, as well as a variety of opportunities and settings to choose from and advance in. Gaining valuable knowledge and skills in pharmacology, health care, and customer service is possible through a relatively short and affordable path to entry and certification. Moreover, a pharmacy technician can earn a competitive and stable income. However, there are some potential challenges to consider such as dealing with stress, pressure, and responsibility for ensuring the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing. Additionally, working long, irregular, or inconvenient hours may be necessary, especially in 24-hour pharmacies. Furthermore, handling difficult customers or patients, keeping up with changes and regulations in the pharmacy industry and the health care system, as well as facing the risk of exposure to infectious diseases or harmful substances may be encountered.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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