Pharmacy Tech Jobs

Pharmacy technicians receive and fill prescription requests from patients and healthcare workers, usually under the close supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy tech jobs generally require working with the public in a retail setting, such as a drugstore, hospital pharmacy, or mail-order pharmacy. Depending on the job location and availability, pharmacy technicians may be required to work nights, weekends and holidays, either full- or part-time. No matter the setting, pharmacy technicians must be detailed, accurate, and have good customer service skills.

Job Description

Pharmacy tech jobs involve receiving and fulfilling prescription requests. Patients usually deliver these requests in writing, but in some states, pharmacy technicians are allowed to take orders over the phone. Some doctors even file the requests electronically.
 
After the pharmacy tech verifies the prescription's accuracy, he prepares it by collecting, counting, weighing and mixing the medication. He also fills out and attaches the prescription labels and prices the medication. A licensed pharmacist must then check the filled prescription before the patient receives it.
 
In retail settings, pharmacy jobs may also involve stocking shelves, handling cash registers, answering telephones, preparing insurance forms and maintaining client profiles. Technicians don't handle questions from customers about medications or health; these questions always go to the pharmacist.

Salary Guide

In the US, the median pharmacy tech salary is $13.32 per hour, and most technicians earn between $10.95 and $15.88 per hour, according to the US bureau of labor statistics. However, if you're just starting out and have little or no experience, your starting salary might be less. In general, certified technicians command a higher salary than non-certified technicians. In the United States, pharmacy tech jobs are expected to increase by 35 percent through 2018.

Education, Training and Work Experience

Education requirements for pharmacy tech jobs vary by state. Some states have no formal education requirements, while others require at least a high school diploma. Most states, though, do require pharmacy technicians to register with the state board of pharmacy. While pharmacy technicians don�t have to be certified, job prospects are much better for those who have completed a certification program from a pharmacy tech school.
 
Pharmacy tech schools are offered through many community colleges, vocational schools and hospitals. Training generally lasts anywhere from six months to two years and consists of both classroom work and lab experience. Coursework includes:
  • Medical terminology
  • Pharmaceutical calculations
  • Pharmaceutical techniques
  • Pharmacy law
  • Pharmacy recordkeeping.
 
Certified technicians must complete twenty continuing education hours to be recertified every two years.

Career Advancement

Advanced pharmacy jobs generally call for more education and training. Some technicians move into supervisory or training roles, particularly in large pharmacies. Others go into pharmaceutical sales or specialize as chemotherapy or nuclear medicine technicians. Some pharmacy techs choose to return to school to become a fully licensed pharmacist.

Related Associations and Groups

Associations and groups available to pharmacy technicians include:
  • American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
  • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
  • National Pharmacy Technician Association
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
 
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