How To Become A Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians are vital to a pharmacy’s operation. By following the proper steps, from education to training to specializations, you can soon be on your way to this dynamic and exciting career. Let’s take a closer look at how to become a pharmacy technician.

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

The most critical duty of a pharmacy technician is to support the pharmacist to ensure the wellbeing of patients. Working under a licensed pharmacist, technicians make sure everything runs smoothly in day-to-day operations. You can choose to work in various settings, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, education, prisons, and more. Besides technical responsibilities, you can expect to be involved in customer service frequently, as well.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

If you dream of becoming a pharmacy technician, you need to know how to reach that goal. Some states require only a high school diploma, while others have candidates go through a pharmacy technician training program.

You should have specific skills, which these programs encourage, including:

• Attention to detail
• Handling pressure situations
• Basic scientific knowledge
• Organization
• Teamwork
• Math and reading skills
• Strong customer service

Additionally, you likely need to complete a certification exam or program. Some states also require the PTCB Certification test to be employed as a pharmacy technician. Once you have completed all of these requirements, you are ready to apply for the position.

Types of Pharmacy Technician Jobs

One exciting aspect of this career path is that you can take different avenues as a pharmacy tech. For example, you can work in a retail pharmacy setting, hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical production, sales, education, military, or veterinary settings. The variety is remarkable, and you should be able to find the specific situation you seek.

Hospital-Based Pharmacy Technicians

A common approach for pharm tech candidates is working in a hospital. Here, you will fill prescriptions for nurses and doctors, helping patients directly. You will need a firm grasp of pharmacology and medical terminology compared to other customer-facing avenues.

Pharmacy technicians are vital to a pharmacy’s operation. By following the proper steps, from education to training to specializations, you can soon be on your way to this dynamic and exciting career. Let’s take a closer look at how to become a pharmacy technician.

Retail Pharmacy Technicians

Retail pharmacy technicians have many responsibilities in a bustling environment. Besides filling prescriptions, they work the cash register, sell medicines and other pharmacy goods, and process insurance claims.

Mail-Order Pharmacy Technicians

Mail-order pharmacy technicians perform unique duties. They scrutinize and scan patient profiles for accuracy and check prescriptions for any errors. They also fill prescriptions and refills and complete mail orders every day, ensuring patients receive their medications promptly.

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

No matter which paths your pharmacy technician career takes, you will have specific duties you need to perform. One such responsibility is supporting pharmacological services, including stocking, distribution, and assembling medications. Additionally, you are crucial in maintaining a safe and clean environment. Preparing reports is another vital task you will do, ensuring streamlined operations in the pharmacy. You will maintain records as you fill prescriptions, as well. You serve a financial role, calculating revenue, recording, and issuing charges. Finally, you protect patients and employees by following infection-control policies and protocols.

Pharmacy Technician Skills

As your career unfolds, you will develop specific skills that benefit your path. These skills include:

• Communication: Whether you are in customer service or interacting with medical professionals, you need to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Numeracy: You will be working with numbers no matter which setting you go with, so basic math skills are essential.
• Organization: Pharmacies are high-paced, and you will juggle multiple responsibilities, so organization skills are vital.
• Computer: As more information and records are digitized, you need to be computer savvy and ready to learn different applications and programs.
• Ethics: Pharmacy technicians need to have solid ethics to deal with people’s safety, health, and confidentiality.

Pharmacy Technician Education Requirements

As far as education requirements, you will need to continue your education as your career moves forward. To start, you are required to complete a pharmacy technician training program, which takes about a year. Next, you likely get certified through the American Society Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and you will approved by national and regional certification bodies. Finally, you need to maintain active certification every two years to keep yourself current.

Pharmacy Technician Cover Letter

Your resume can be the difference-maker between landing a position and not. It should consist of essential items, including:

• Objective: A brief but targeted statement of your purpose.
• Education: Your academic background.
• Work Experience: List your pertinent past work in reverse chronological order.
• Volunteer Work: Describe any volunteer experience that enhances your resume.
• Hobbies: Describe your hobbies to help paint a picture of your character.

Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions

It is a significant advantage to predict what questions you may face in the interview. Preparation is key. Here are some possible sample questions you may encounter:

• Why did you choose to be a pharmacy technician?
• How do you handle aggressive co-workers?
• How do you deal with demanding customers?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your most significant weaknesses?
• Tell us about a time when you overcame an obstacle.
• What duties do you expect to perform here?
• Why is confidentiality important in this industry?
• What part of this position would you enjoy most and why?

Final Thoughts on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician is essential to the workplace, no matter the setting. Follow the steps outlined above on how to become a pharmacy technician, and your career will soon take off!

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