An essential function is given to pharmaceutical chemists in public health since they assist in the preparation, storage, and delivery of medication as well as patients. There is a high probability that people who are concentrated, organized, and have the ability to pay attention to the core of an organization because this type of position requires an individual. What follows is a brief discussion on the various aspects of the pharmacy technicians including tasks performed, skills required and possible career advancement avenues.
Pharmacy Technician Job Description
A pharmacy technician is hired to provide assistance to a registered pharmacist in carrying out prescriptions, placing prescription labels on containers and managing the inventory. During the course of their work in pharmacy, hospitals, and long-term care home, pharmacy technicians carry out more consultations with the patients and other health personnel to enhance the referral system in prescription services. This is a stressful position that requires people to be well organized, have a keen eye, able to efficiently work under pressure and be time conscious as medication preparation and distribution must always be correct in all stages to prevent risking the patients’ safety.
Resume Description for this Job
“A reputable pharmacy technician with [X years] experience in helping pharmacists to prepare medication, maintain the stock, and provides the necessary information to the patients. Good in precise prescription hijack, data manipulations, customer relations, pharmacy application software use, and pharmaceutical arithmetic. Focused and well-composed in providing the required services while upholding the key values of patient safety and confidentiality in a fast-paced context.”
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Salary
Pay for pharmacy technicians in the US varies according to factors such as the level of position held, the state of work and nature of the institution providing the health care services. Here is a standard range of salaries for pharmacy technicians:
- Entry Level Pharmacy Technician: $30000 – $35000 per year
- Mid Level Pharmacy Technician: $35000 – $45000 per year
- Moderate Level Pharmacy Technician in Specialized Settings: $45000 – 55000 per year
The higher wage bill to be earned by the pharmacy technicians is majorly accentuated by those who specialize in working with hospitals, special pharmacies, or metropolitan areas.
Responsibilities
Pharmacy technicians ensure that they perform a variety of roles in helping the pharmacists and ensuring that the operations within the pharmacy are functioning effectively and smoothly. The Key responsibilities include:
- Prescription Processing: Retrieve, count, and label medications accurately so that each prescription is filled to its specific requirements and fulfills the specifications outlined by the pharmacist, thereby assisting the pharmacist in all aspects of the process.
- Customer Service: Resolve inquiries from customers, help them in the self-selection of over-the-counter medications, direct them to the available medications, inform them the pharmacies covered by a particular type of insurance.
- Inventory Management: Keep track of the existing stock, order supplies and sort the drugs in the pharmacy in order to prevent a situation where there are no drugs available for the patient.
- Data Entry: Help in keeping prescription, patient and insurance information up to date by entering this detail into the pharmacy records.
- Medication Preparation: Fill and wrap prescriptions under the supervision of an authorized pharmacist, ensuring that the prescription is precisely filled and labeled.
- Claims and Reimbursement: Check that all accepted forms of insurance coverage are valid, envision how claims can be submitted, and address all concerns so that medications are supplied efficiently.
- Compliance and Safety: Dispose of unused or expired controlled substances and other drugs in compliance with federal laws and policies along with the state rules in order to avoid any problems.
- Administrative Duties: Answer questions, talk on the phone, and help keep the documents of patients and inventories tidy and properly placed.
Qualifications
In order for candidates to be able to function as a pharmacy technician, they must possess the following skills and training. Some states require this while others do not; professing means better job opportunities. Certain qualifications will include:
- Education: Pupils should at least hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most applicants, for instance, obtain training through postsecondary institutions such as vocational colleges and other bodies.
- Certification: Certifications offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA) can increase a pharmacist’s chances of getting employed and are recommended by most employers.
- Licensure: Pharmacy technicians in some states must be licensed. Candidates should verify the requirements of their particular states.
- Attention to Detail: The preparation of prescriptions for dispensing must be done accurately to maintain patient safety from any dangers raised by potential mistakes.
- Customer Service Skills: Since pharmacy technicians deal with people, they must have good communication and an obliging demeanor.
- Proficiency in Pharmacy Software: Previous knowledge of pharmacy information systems such as Epic or QS/1 are sometimes needed to assist in record keeping and inventory control.
- Basic Math and Pharmaceutical Calculations: Basic arithmetic will be necessary for pharmacy technicians in order to ensure medication is measured, counted, and prepared in the right amounts.
FAQs
Q1: How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
Becoming a pharmacy technician takes about 1 to 2 years and involves training and certification processes. Some pharmacy technicians acquire skills informally while others take the formal approach.
Q2: Should a pharmacy technician be certified in order to work?
This is not necessary in most states; it, however, can improve one’s chances of finding a decent job. Many employers appreciate such certificates, particularly those awarded by the PTCB.
Q3: In which places do pharmacy technicians get employment?
Pharmacy technicians can be employed in retail or community pharmacies, hospitals, long term care facilities, and even in the mail order pharmacies, among other institutions in the healthcare sector.
Q4: Do pharmacy technicians have an expiry for their certification and require re certification?
Certification of pharmacy technicians should be renewed after two years, and re certification can be achieved through continued education. This is common amongst certified pharmacy technicians.
Q5: What other positions do pharmacy technicians aspire to after being in the field for some time?
With sufficient training and education, skilled pharmacy technicians will further their career and become the head of pharmacy technicians, a pharmacy operations manager and with time move on to healthcare management.
Conclusion
One career that is worth pursuing is becoming a pharmacy technician. This not only gives an individual the chance to be part of the healthcare system and help with patient health care issues and general well-being but also allows them to gain practical experience. As the demand for pharmaceutical services increases, pharmacy technicians prove to be invaluable assets as they assist pharmacists, fill prescriptions, and help in other operations within a pharmacy. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, whether you are new to the healthcare sector or hoping to build a career, working as a pharmacy technician equips you with the relevant experience and career progression in the field.