Pharmacy Technicians assist licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare products to patients and perform almost all functions in the pharmacy. A Pharmacy Technician takes care of many of the daily functions of a pharmacy, leaving a pharmacist free for more critical tasks, such as patient oriented functions. Technicians usually perform routine tasks, such as: helping prepare prescribed medication for patients, counting, mixing and pouring medications, answer phones, receive written prescriptions, verifying written prescriptions, taking refill requests, preparing IV medications, operating computer and automation systems,pricing, preparing insurance claim forms, stocking shelves, ordering supplies, filling orders, controlling inventory, greeting customers, running cash registers, labeling containers, plus much more. Technicians refer any questions about prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to the pharmacists. The Pharmacist always checks the pharmacy technicians work before it is given to the patient. Job settings range from retail (Pharmacy or Drug stores) to Hospitals & Homecare.
HOW DO I BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN?
Employers know that individuals who pass the exam have a standard body of knowledge and skills and are highly motivated, serious workers. Certified technicians must be re-certified every 2 years. Technicians must complete 20 contact hours of pharmacy-related topics within the 2-year certification period to become eligible for re-certification.
WHY A CAREER IN PHARMACY?
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Facts:
Health services are one of the largest industries in the country, with millions of jobs.
About 13 percent of all wage and salary jobs created between 2000 and 2010 will be in health services.
Almost half of the occupations projected to grow the fastest are concentrated in health services.
Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2010 due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population, and to the greater use of medication. Almost all States have legislated the maximum number of technicians who can work under a pharmacist at a time. In some states, it is mandatory that a technician be certified to work in a pharmacy. Changes in these laws could directly affect employment for non-certified staff, therefore certification is beneficial.
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Source - U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition
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