Pharmacy Technician Career Guide

Counting pills and labeling bottles isn’t the only thing a pharmacy technician does. In fact, there’s so much more to the name, and many technicalities are involved, which is essential to learn if you’re looking for a career in this field. 

As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be working with a licensed pharmacist and assisting in processing med prescriptions safely and accurately. There are undoubtedly numerous responsibilities that a pharma tech has to carry out. 

So, if you’re planning to have a career as a pharmacy technician, you’ve landed on the right page. Today’s article serves as a practical guide for a career as a pharmacy technician. Let’s have a look! 

What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists by helping them dispense medication prescribed by healthcare professionals to patients. You can primarily find them working in hospitals or retail pharmacies. 

Their duties at the workplace involve:

• Keeping count and measurements of the adequate quantity of medicine.
• Blending medicinal compounds 
• Making contacts with professionals to certify the replenishment of prescriptions
• Packing and marking prescribed medication
• Assembling details and payment information of the patient
• Noting down the medical records of the patient
• Upgrading and updating data on medical inventory 
• Developing insurance documents
• Vaccination assistance 
• Controlling automatic systems for dispensaries 
• Counseling patients on their prescriptions 
• Assorting and ordering medicinal stocks
• Picking up calls from patients
• Organizing pharmacist and customer discourse
• Receiving prescription payments and rectifying insurance claims

Typically, pharmaceutical technicians utilize their training, knowledge, and expertise to deliver specialized services related to technology. However, they are often expected to work in the customer service field as well. 

The workload ranges from handling the cash register and assisting customers in locating over-the-counter medicines in the store, to answering calls and connecting customers with pharmaceutical professionals when needed.

Depending on their workplace environment, pharmaceutical technicians have changing responsibilities. For example:

• Retail: If they are a retail worker, the setting would be a drugstore or grocery market, where they directly interact with customers who are most likely patients. They typically handle the responsibilities of monitoring medicine stock and ensuring a sufficient supply of medicine.
• Healthcare: Those who work in a hospital or healthcare setting are often required to deliver medication to other healthcare professionals within the system. These pharmaceutical techs may also have to prepare intravenous medicine, such as injections. 

Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?

Pharmacy tech is an essential career path that helps people start earning immediately. When working together, you will be required to operate under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to assist by processing customer prescriptions safely and with utmost accuracy.

Counting the number of pills and marking bottles is not all you will be tasked with. The responsibilities of a pharmacy technician can range from operating and processing insurance claims to preparing intravenous medications. You will also be required to handle the supply chain and manage stock data.

How Do You Become a Pharmacy Technician 

At one time, many pharmacy technicians received on-the-job training. Typically, they’d apply for a job at the local pharmacy. After learning to stock shelves and operate the register, the pharmacist would proceed to teach the more technical aspects, such as counting pills, typing labels, and other tasks. 

Although this path is still available, many pharmacy tech enthusiasts today enroll in various formal training programs or courses to gain specific skills and knowledge, ensuring better customer care and safety. 

So, if you’re looking to become a pharmacy technician, there are two ways you can go about it. 

1. Certificate/Diploma Program 

The fastest way to become a pharmacy tech is via a diploma or certificate program. It typically takes two semesters or a year to complete, and certain states require completion of a certification exam upon program completion. 

Prior to entering this program, you’ll need to meet specific prerequisites, including submitting an application, providing transcripts, test scores, a high school diploma or GED, and passing a background check. 

These programs are available both online and offline. Through the program, a pharm tech student will learn various courses such as: 

• Drug classifications
• Pharmacy law
• Pharmaceutical math
• Community pharmacy practice
• Introduction to Health Professions
• Compounding sterile preparations
• Institutional Pharmacy Practice

2. Associate’s Degree Program

The associate’s degree program offers in-depth study within the field of pharmaceutical sciences, along with management, customer service, and other related fields. This particular program also requires more time to complete as it takes two years (or four semesters).

Typically, the prerequisite for this course is the same as that for the diploma or certificate program. Prior to entering the program, you’ll need transcripts, an application, test scores, a High school GED/diploma, and a background check. 

Moreover, both offline and online degree programs are available. However, an associate’s program is much more rigorous, comparatively, and specific programs may even include pharmacy practice internships and in-person clinical training. 

How Much Do Pharmacy Technicians Make?

In 2021, the median wage (annually) for pharmacy technicians was approximately $36k. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest 10% (those earning below the median wage) earned around $28,000, while the highest 10% (those earning above the median wage) earned approximately $47,000.

In the same year, the annual median wages for pharmacy technicians placed in top industries were found to be: 

• Hospitals – $38k
• Pharmacies & drug stores – $35k
• Food & beverage stores – $36k

Many pharmacy technicians enter the field on a full-time basis. This is typically because pharmacies are often open 24 hours a day. Hence, pharmacy technicians are often required to work weekends or at night.