 |
|
|
|
Pharmacy technicians are essential members of the pharmaceutical team who perform most of the duties of a pharmacist with the exception of counseling patients and performing the final accuracy check of a filled prescription. While pharmacy aides tend to focus on more clerical tasks, only technicians can assist the pharmacist with actually filling prescription medicine. Due to the increasing use of prescription medication, as well as the need for pharmacies to improve productivity, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to remain strong.
Pharmacy techs are also afforded many of the same benefits as pharmacists, such as excellent job security and flexible work schedules, yet technicians are not required to make the same educational commitment as pharmacists. For these reasons, this profession is attractive for detail-oriented individuals who wish to begin working in a relatively short period of time.
The primary responsibility of a pharmacy technician is to fill a prescription from start to finish under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. The following tasks are involved in filling a prescription: receiving the prescription either electronically or by phone; verifying the accuracy of the prescription; entering the prescription into the computer accurately; alerting the pharmacist of any possible issues with the prescription; retrieving and sometimes mixing the correct amount of the prescribed medication; and preparing and affixing all labels to the selected container.
Pharmacy techs may also perform administrative duties such as pricing and filing a prescription; maintaining and establishing patient profiles and completing insurance claim forms.
Although the majority of pharmacy technicians work in a retail pharmacy, there is also ample opportunity to work in other environments and positions. Pharmacy technicians are employed by hospitals, assisted-living facilities, mail-order pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers and the federal government. Those who have an excellent track record and work for large organizations can move into sales or supervisory positions.
Pharmacy technicians can specialize in a particular treatment area, such as chemotherapy or nuclear medicine, or continue their education and become pharmacists. In all of these areas, successful pharmacy technicians exercise good judgment, close attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask well.
As the population continues to grow and age, and new families of drugs are being discovered, more and more people are using prescription medication to treat their illnesses. At the same time, cost-conscious health insurance providers are relying upon pharmacists to become more involved in patient care. Pharmacists, in turn, must rely upon pharmacy technicians to meet this increasing demand while maintaining critical accuracy and safety.
Due to this demand, the job outlook for pharmacy techs over the next decade remains very bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of pharmacy technicians to grow by 31% from 2008 to 2016, which is much greater than the average for all occupations. Payscale.com also concurs with this assessment and chose the health care technician field as one of their "10 Careers in Demand for 2009". The median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2009 was $32,351 but earnings vary according to experience, setting and education. Pharmacy technicians who have earned a Pharmacy Technician Certification have significantly improved earnings prospects. Technicians who work in a hospital setting or have specialized knowledge in a treatment area also tend to earn more than the median salary.
What steps should one follow to become a pharmacy technician?
1) Get good grades in math, science and English courses. Pharmacy technicians must accurately perform mathematical calculations and have good reading and spelling skills in order to interpret prescriptions and dispense medication correctly. Strength in these subjects also provides a solid foundation for more specialized studies.
2) Review the requirements set by one's state board of pharmacy. Although there are currently no federal regulations governing pharmacy technicians, most states require that pharmacy technicians register with their state board of pharmacy before practicing. Many states also require that prospective pharmacy technicians obtain certification from either The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). Some states have additional training or experience requirements, and these can change, so it is important to check one's state rules and regulations early in the process.
3) Attend a school with a program designed for pharmacy technicians. Although many states do not require specific coursework in order to practice as a pharmacy technician, it is nevertheless becoming increasingly important and expected by prospective employers. Fortunately, there are now many educational institutions that offer specialized programs for pharmacy techs in a variety of learning formats. Pharmacy technician candidates can now learn online or on-campus and can earn a diploma, a certificate or an associate's degree. Most programs cover such topics as pharmacology, record keeping, pharmacy calculations, medical terminology, ethics, and pharmacy law. Some schools also prepare the student to take one of the national certification exams.
4) Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CphT). Obtaining the Certified Pharmacy Technician(CPht) credential, whether required by one's state pharmacy board or not, not only improves job prospects but also substantially improves pay. Even pharmacy technicians who are already employed typically get a raise once becoming certified. There are two national exams that can lead to certification: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) offered by the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). Both exams contain roughly 100 randomized multiple-choice questions. Although the candidate earns the CphT credential by passing either of these exams, many states only recognize the more commonly used PTCE, so it is again important to check with one's state board of pharmacy before proceeding. Certified Pharmacy Technicians must get re-certified every two years and complete 20 hours of continuing education within this time frame.
5) Get hands-on experience. Search for pharmacy technician positions using a variety of methods, such as viewing pharmacy job boards, posting on networking sites and using personal connections. Apply for positions in a wide range of settings as any experience is important in the beginning.
How can a person become a GREAT pharmacy technician?
1) Continue learning. Certified pharmacy technicians are automatically required to earn continuing education credits, but all excellent pharmacy technicians make a point to learn continually. Pharmacy technicians who stay on top of the rapid changes in medicine and pharmacy operation become more marketable and can perform their jobs more effectively.
2) Take initiative. Pharmacists appreciate reliable, competent pharmacy technicians who can take on added responsibility. In addition to their typical duties, excellent pharmacy technicians express an interest in developing new skills and exploring new opportunities that will benefit both themselves and their organization.
3) Maintain a positive attitude. Pharmacy technicians work closely with other pharmacy staff and also have frequent customer contact. Projecting an upbeat image influences both team morale and the impression of customers. Having a friendly rapport with colleagues can also keep things light and help the hours go by more quickly.
4) Improve time management skills. Good time management skills enable pharmacy technicians to execute on multiple responsibilities and use slow times productively. Excellent pharmacy technicians work with the supervising pharmacist to discover ways to use time more efficiently.
5) Stay alert and observant. Excellent pharmacy technicians perform their duties with accuracy and are committed to preventing mistakes from happening. Being aware of the many factors that impact customer safety, and alerting the pharmacist when necessary, could result in a life being saved.
At a time when increasing demands are being placed on the health care system, pharmacy technicians play a vital support role in ensuring the safety of those who take prescription medicine. Pharmacy technicians perform many of the same tasks as the pharmacist, enabling the pharmacist to focus on medical counseling and preventing life-threatening mistakes. The field requires relatively little education to enter and provides good benefits, a clean work environment, and excellent job stability. Attentive, responsible individuals who enjoy both science and people often do well in this field.
Resources for Pharmacy Technicians
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
