Exploring The Role of a Pharmacy Technician

After graduating from studies in health care, there are many careers open to you. One popular option to pursue training and become a pharmacy technician and work in the medical field in that capacity. A pharmacy technician is a highly trained and skilled health care provider and these individuals work alongside others in pharmacy-related functions. Most often pharmacy technicians end up working under the direct supervision and guidance of someone who already is a licensed pharmacist.

Work Environment

Pharmacy technicians can work in a standalone pharmacy, work in a retail pharmacy shop, directly with a hospital or doctor’s office, in a private practice, or with educational and outreach programs in their state.  Job duties can cover tasks such as filling a prescription order, handing out prescription drugs, consulting patients about medications, and other similar tasks. They can also have a role in the administrative duties of the pharmaceutical practice where they work and cover tasks like reviewing prescription requests, communicating with insurance companies, and organizing and maintaining patient records.

Pharmacy Technician Tasks

Recently, pharmacy technicians have begun to broaden their tasks and outreach within the healthcare field and many now also work with doctors and practitioners to ensure proper medications are prescribed, that the patient understands all instructions, and also works to follow up with the patient to ensure they are allowing the right dosage schedule. In the United States, these workers are coming into the mainstream and are being recognized more and more, and as they move from a background position to one that is in the forefront of patents and doctor relations, the need for good communication, positive attitudes, attention to details, memory, organization, and hard work are more essential than ever before!

Training Necessary

Currently in the United States, there is no one legal requirement as far as certification goes to become a pharmacy technician. Each state has their own Board of Pharmacy that sets up, maintains, and review all requirements for licensure within their state. It is important to note that because of this, it is not awl ways possible to simply move from one state to another and continue working as a pharmacy technician. Licensure requirements vary widely by state so to move from one state to another often requires additional training or certificate work to ensure local standards are upheld. There are two National Examinations for those who want to pursue additional training and get a certification for Pharmacy Technicians – these are accepted throughout the country. Many states require a certain amount of hands on training and internship work to be done before one can officially work as a pharmacy technician.