Job Description: Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Job Duties | Pharmacy Technician Schools | Pharmacy Technician Salary | Pharmacy Technician Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

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The primary role of a Pharmacy Technician is to work under the supervision of a pharmacist in preparing medications against prescription orders. The duties and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician may vary depending on the state wherein the profession is practiced. The generic role involves assisting a qualified pharmacist in their daily duties.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the anticipated growth in the demand for pharmacy technicians is high. Pharmacy technicians, who are qualified, certified and have experience, will fare extremely well in the employment market.

What Are The Job Duties Of A Pharmacy Technician

· The role of the pharmacy technician is a versatile one and may involve the performance of a range of duties.
· Respond to requests for information relating to medications.
· Assist customers by answering questions, locating items requested and referring them to the pharmacist for specialized medical information.
· Prepare and maintain computerized patient profiles including details of medications purchased, dates and amounts.
· Refill prescriptions after verifying the accuracy of the information.
· Accurate mixing of pharmaceutical preparations against prescriptions.
· Receive incoming supplies, stock supplies, verify quantities received against invoices, check for outdated medications in existing inventory, inform the pharmacist on a regular basis when supplies need restocking.
· Ensure proper storage of drugs in adherence to strict security regulations that apply to drug storage.
· Based on the orders received, pack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescription medicines, type and affix correct labels.
· Inventory stock and place orders for medications, chemicals and other pharmacy supplies; perform accurate medicine counts.
· Administrative duties include answering telephones and stocking shelves.
· Manage the cash register, receive payments and make sure the receipts and payments tally each day.
· Maintain filled prescriptions files for verification and audit purposes.
· Keep work area clean, maintain equipment and practice hygienic standards of operation.
· Prepare medical insurance claim forms and process claims.
· Maintain records of medical insurance claims.
· Prepare price labels for stock and items for sale.
· Maintain inventory of home healthcare products and services; stock display shelves with merchandise.
· Make deliveries of pharmaceutical supplies and medications to patients, nursing centers or surgical centers.
· Accurate transfer of medications from vials to sterile disposable syringes using aseptic techniques.
· Supply and monitor robotic machines in the dispensation of medicine into containers.
· Inventory intravenous (IV) supplies; add measured drugs and nutrients to IV solutions; prepare IV packs according to their uses, for example chemotherapy medication.
· Pharmacy technicians working in mail-order or retail pharmacies perform duties in accordance with state laws. Prescription orders received electronically or by telephone, need verification of the information.

Pharmacy technicians need a high level of attention to detail, accuracy and commitment to the job. A pharmacy technician requires customer service skills, comprehension skills, communication skills, knowledge of administrative and clerical skills, basic mathematical skills, computer literacy skills, manual dexterity, integrity and dependability.

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be A Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians perform their duties in a role that has no national training standard. Some employers prefer to employ applicants who have a degree of formal training. Diploma and training programs are offered by several community colleges and junior colleges. The basic program requirement is a high school diploma because pharmacy technicians need to be able to communicate, write, use computers, count, prepare labels, mix medications and perform other tasks.

Pharmacy technicians can become certified or registered and employers prefer applicants that are certified with field experience. In some states in America, a high school diploma or its equivalent is the only requirement to become a pharmacy technician. A large number of pharmacy technicians receive on-the-job training that ranges from 3 to 12 months in duration.

Pharmacy technicians can apply for an associate degree from reputed colleges like the Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California, USA. The college offers a pharmacy technician associate's degree program centered round preparing students for entry level positions in the rapidly expanding field of pharmacy technicians, working under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist.

The program according to the authorities is one of the first to be offered in the northern California region; it offers general education classes, course work focused on medical terminology, health information management, pharmaceutical products, basics of human relations, computer use and keyboard skills.

The program provides 60 credits, hands-on learning in the preparation of pharmacy products and management of pharmacy operations, and ends in a supervised work experience. The college is presently seeking accreditation for the program from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. On completion of the program, students have the option to transfer to a 4 year bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences to continue their pharmacy education.

Technical programs providing formal education are offered through community colleges and vocational schools – the duration of the courses range from 6 months to 2 years. The programs are a combination of class work and laboratory work. The programs cover a range of subjects including pharmaceutical techniques, pharmacy law, medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations and recordkeeping. Several of these programs incorporate internships for students to increase knowledge and skills through hands-on pharmacy work experience. Depending on the program selected, the successful student is awarded a diploma, certificate or associate degree.

Registration with the state specific board of pharmacy is required in several states in the U.S., Registration requirements vary between states, but applicants are mostly required to posses a high school diploma.

Certification is not mandatory by law in several states; pharmacy technicians can choose voluntary certification through private institutions that administer the national certification examinations. Two institutions that offer certification include the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Certification through these institutions is favored in certain states and by most employers. Eligibility for the certification exam includes a high school diploma, no felony convictions, pharmacy-related convictions or misdemeanors.

Re-certification is required once every two years and the requirement is 20 hours of continuing education credits. Colleges, pharmacy technician training programs and pharmacy associations offer continuing education. A maximum of ten hours of credits can be earned through on-the-job work under supervision of a qualified pharmacist.

Career progression is possible with significant training and experience. Pharmacy technicians can specialize in various healthcare fields including chemotherapy technician and nuclear pharmacy technicians, pharmacists or move into sales for medical companies.

What Is The Salary Of A Pharmacy Technician

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition that employment prospects for pharmacy technicians is on an upward trend. The growth projected in this field of occupation is 31 percent for the period 2008 to 2018. The projection is that of a much faster than average growth rate in this occupation when compared with other occupations.

The extremely high growth projection is based on certain indicators like cost-conscious insurers using pharmacies as patient care centers, pharmacist technicians becoming more involved in patient care, assumption of pharmacy aide duties and the expanding role of pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacy technicians can find employment in hospitals, the armed forces, medical centers, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, retail pharmacies and mail-order pharmacies.

Pharmacy Technician Wages

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages, 2010-11 reports (for May 2008) that the median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians was $13.50; the middle 50 percent earnings range between $11and $16. The highest 10 percent earnings were above $19 and the lowest 10 percent was below $9.50.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 - 29-2052 Pharmacy Technicians that the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $29,330; the middle 50 percent earnings range between $28,400; wage earnings for the lowest 10 percent was approximately $19,840

Employment of pharmacy technicians by largest numbers, by industry include: Health and Personal Care Stores, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, Other General Merchandise Stores, grocery stores, department stores. These industries have the highest concentration of surgical technicians.

Estimates for employment and mean wages for pharmacy technicians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the figure of 326,000 people employed in this role in 2008 will increase by approximately 31 percent by the year 2018 to reach 426,000.

National annualized data showing the pay scales for pharmacy technicians: the average hourly rate ranges between $8 and $15.32; the hourly overtime rate ranges between $11 and $23.50; the bonus ranges between $10 and $1,197 approximately. Overall annual pay scales range between $16,736 and $34,199 for a pharmacy technician.

Median annual wages paid by the largest employers of pharmacy technicians by industry: health and personal care stores - $27,910; other general merchandise stores - $26,720; department stores - $17,300; Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses - $30,210; Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers - $36,380.

Median annual wages paid by the top paying industries for pharmacy technicians: Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) - $39,940; Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services - $38,680; Colleges, Insurance carriers - $37,610; Universities, and Professional Schools - $36,850; Management of Companies and Enterprises - $36,560; Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals - $36,100.

Salaries for pharmacy technicians vary depending on the geographic location and the employer. The U.S. states that pay the highest salaries include Alaska - $37,090; California - $36,700; Washington - $36,600; Hawaii - $35,130.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Pharmacy Technician

In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for pharmacy technicians. Job advantages include:

· The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a faster than normal growth rate of 31 percent between the years 2008 and 2018 for pharmacy technicians.
· There are various factors influencing the demand for increased employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians such as the increase in the population of middle-aged and elderly people who require more prescription drugs; scientific advances lead to new drugs; more people are getting medical coverage; the role of the pharmacy technician is being expanded.
· There are many jobs in various industries for pharmacy technicians; they can control career progression by getting certified and following it up with a specialization degree to become a pharmacist or move into a highly specialized area of healthcare or become a pharmacist.
· Pay scales are good for pharmacy technicians, and with certification and experience the potential for higher earnings is enhanced.
· Pharmacy technicians work in well-lit, well established places that are hygienically maintained to strict standards.
· Pharmacy technicians like other healthcare professionals are not on call and work a regular 40 hour week for the most part.
· There are no formal education requirements; a high school diploma is probably the only requirement.
· Certification is not mandatory by law in most states; pharmacy technicians can opt for certification voluntarily.

The downside to becoming a pharmacy technician may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job:

· Pharmacy technicians spend a good part of their working day on their feet.
· Lifting, carrying, stocking shelves and other physical activities are the exhausting aspects of the role.
· Pharmacy technicians spend a good part of the day dealing with customers, suppliers and insurance companies. This can be quite stressful for the individual.
· The role demands a very high level of accuracy and attention to detail; errors in preparing prescriptions or pharmaceutical mixes can lead to serious health consequences for the patient in question.
· While certification is voluntary, career progression and a good salary hinge on a pharmacy technician being certified. Continuing education credits are required to maintain certification status. People who work full time in a demanding occupation find it hard to make time to continue their education.