Pharmacy Technican: An Expanding Field

Answer 1

There is a growing opportunity for people seeking work in the health sector as pharmacy technicians. The opportunities to secure employment are especially good for those with certification or prior experience. The shifts available for work are plentiful because pharmacy technicians work either in a retail setting or in a hospital or medical setting. These facilities and retail drug stores tend to be open on the evenings, weekends and holidays.

The role of a pharmacy technician is to assist the licensed pharmacists with providing customer or patient care, perform administrative duties, order supplies from drug companies and prepare prescription medications. Technicians often receive the prescription, generate the label and count out the medication for the pharmacist.

In retail settings, technicians are bound by state rules and regulations regarding pharmacy technicians. They interact with doctors’ offices, verifying the information is correct and begin the process of filling the prescription. Once the prescription is filled and labeled, it is given to the pharmacist for a final check before being released to the customer. Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for setting up patient files and filing insurance claims for the customer. Pharmacy technicians are not allowed to dispense information, advice or instruction to anyone. All questions must be referred to the licensed pharmacist.

In a hospital or clinic setting, a pharmacy technician may have added responsibilities ranging from preparing sterile solutions, extemporaneous pre-packaging and delivery of medications for nurses to administer. In some more progressive hospitals, pharmacy technicians are part of surgical and oncology teams. They are responsible for the periodic checks of all crash carts, the tracking and storage of narcotics, and maintaining a working library of pharmaceutical journals and periodicals for the licensed pharmacists’ use.

While there is no national standard for pharmacy technicians, there may be state regulations that apply. Some states require registration with their Board of Pharmacy. Check local state boards for details. If interested in applying to a technician certification program, they are generally a six month to two-year course of study.

Pharmacy technician is a field of expansion and is expected to grow by 25 percent by the year 2018. The average technician makes between $12.00 and $20.00 per hour based on location and region.