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Pharmacy Technician - Job Description, Duties, Education, Skills, Salary, & Growth

Pharmacy Technician


  • Career Profile
  • Resources
  • Job Openings

Jump to:

  • Responsibilities
  • Skills
  • Working Conditions
  • Salary Outlook

Job Description

 

A pharmacy technician has the knowledge and skills to perform many pharmacy-related functions while working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

A pharmacy technician will refer questions regarding drug information, prescriptions or health concerns to the pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians have a wide range of employment opportunities in different settings, some of which include:

  • Community or privately owned pharmacies

  • Hospitals

  • Home health care agencies

  • Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities

  • Assisted living centers

  • Military service

  • Pharmacies that provide mail-order service

  • Managed health care companies

  • Educational programs

.

Responsibilities 

 

A Pharmacy Technician has many duties to fulfill throughout a day. They are responsible for filling prescriptions and interacting with patients-- answering questions they might know and seeking answers for those questions they don't.

In order to fill a prescription request, they might count, measure, weigh, pour or mix the medication for Pharmacist verification and approval.

The pharmacy tech must then prepare the medication in a container and attach a clear label with instructions.

 Other duties pharmacy technicians are, but not limited to:

  • Completing insurance claim forms

  • Stocking inventory

  • Maintaining patient profiles.

  • Consulting patients on medication questions or side-effects 

.

Skills

 

Reading Comprehension

Must be able to understand written documents, prescriptions, and labels to ensure patient safety.

Active Listening

Listen to and understand what people say and how it pertains to your abilities and duties.

Communication

Must be able to convey information effectively and interact with people. Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Service-Oriented

Wants to help and engage with people. Helps to be extroverted.

Perception

Know why people act the way they do and be able to distinguish red-flag behavior.

Coordination

Must be able to coordinate your actions with your boss and coworkers.

Complex Problem Solving

Identify complex problems and use your knowledge and on-hand information to evaluate options and solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making

Must be able to make decisions and exist with some autonomy so you can take appropriate action and complete tasks.

Resource Management

Must be able to effectively manage time and supplies so as to complete tasks in an timely manner and to save money

Endurance

Must stand for long hours and work many days, including weekends. Constantly moving and interacting with people.

 

.

Working Conditions

 

Working conditions for pharmacy technicians are generally areas that are clean, well-lit, well-ventilated and organized.

Pharmacy techs may be required to do some heavy lifting or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from tall shelves. Most of the workday is usually spent on their feet.

Pharmacy technicians work the same hours as the pharmacists under which they work, including evenings, nights and sometimes weekends and holidays.

Some hospital pharmacies, as well as retail pharmacies, are now open 24 hours a day, requiring technicians to work various shifts.

With experience and increased seniority, technicians may have some degree of increased control over their assigned working hours. Both retail and hospital settings offer opportunities for part-time work.

 

.

Salary Outlook

Pharmacy Technician Salary
$24,470 25th Percentile
$29,810 50th Percentile
$36,600 75th Percentile
$11.76 Hourly
$14.33 Hourly
$17.60 Hourly
Estimated Annual Salary Average Hourly Wage Positions Nationwide
$31,090.00 $14.95 373,000

Resources

 

CPhT

PTCB

NHA

Continuing Education

 

Title Company Location Posted
Lead Pharmacy Technician - Pharmacy MaineHealth Portland, ME 02.15.2019
Pen Bay Medical Center Department: MaineHealth Pen Bay Medical Center/Pharmacy Rockport Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details: *** Please note:...
Pharmacy Technician Magruder Hospital Port Clinton, OH 02.15.2019
We have one full-time opening in our Pharmacy for a Pharmacy Technician. This position performs technical duties of the Pharmacy Department. Applicants must hold a Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT), possess a high school diploma or GED...
Pharmacy Technician MaineHealth Biddeford, ME 02.15.2019
Southern Maine Health Care Department: MaineHealth Southern Maine Health Care/Pharmacy BMCD Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Rotating (Day/Evening) Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details:...
Pharmacy Technician MaineHealth Westbrook, ME 02.15.2019
Maine Behavioral Healthcare Department: MaineHealth Maine Behavioral Healthcare/SHH Pharmacy Std Hrs/Wk: Per Diem Shift: Flexible (As Needed) Full/Part Time: Per-Diem Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details:...
Pharmacy Technician Infirmary Health Mobile, AL 02.15.2019
High School graduate or GED equivalency with basic knowledge of math, English and typing Good comprehension of written material and oral communication skills Licensure/Certification/Registration: Current registry with the Alabama State...
Technician, Pharmacy Park Nicollet Health Services St. Louis Park, MN 12.11.2018
Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Southeastern Regional Medical Center Lumberton, NC 12.04.2018
Assist the Pharmacists by performing tasks associated with drug inventory control, inpatient and outpatient dispensing, sterile and non-sterile repackaging, and sterile adn non-sterile compounding, to include routine and technically complicated...
Pharmacy Technician Granville Health System Oxford, NC 05.15.2018
Responsible for the preparation and distribution of medications and IV admixtures under the supervision of a Pharmacist. Assisting in maintaining computerized patient profiles for medication charges and credits. Qualifications: High school...
Technician, Pharmacy Park Nicollet Health Services St. Louis Park, MN 01.17.2019
Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
Technician, Pharmacy Park Nicollet Health Services St. Louis Park, MN 02.06.2019
Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
Pharmacy Technician Pardee Hospital Hendersonville, NC 02.12.2019
The Pharmacy Technician assists the Pharmacist in preparing; ordering and stocking medications; coordinating and maintaining insurance information; completing and updating patient demographics on computer profile; and providing courteous and...
Pharmacy Technician Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston, MA 02.18.2019
Supports the mission of the department by ensuing that the right patients receive the right medication in a safe and timely manner under the direct supervision of an inpatient pharmacist. Develops a full understanding of the drug distribution...
Certified Pharmacy Technician INTERNAL Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Spartanburg, SC 10.19.2018
JOB SUMMARY Assists the pharmacist in the following areas: Customer satisfaction, Processing medication orders, Preparing and delivering medications, Completing inventory control functions, and Additional assignments given by...
Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician Holzer Gallipolis, OH 01.16.2019
Certified pharmacy technician Current licenses, as applicable, in Ohio The primary job responsibility for the Medication Reconciliation Technician is to obtain medication histories for assigned patients. This information will be used by...
Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician Holzer Gallipolis, OH 01.16.2019
Certified pharmacy technician Current licenses, as applicable, in Ohio The primary job responsibility for the Medication Reconciliation Technician is to obtain medication histories for assigned patients. This information will be used by...
  1. Lead Pharmacy Technician - Pharmacy Portland, ME MaineHealth
    Pen Bay Medical Center Department: MaineHealth Pen Bay Medical Center/Pharmacy Rockport Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details: *** Please note:...
  2. Pharmacy Technician Port Clinton, OH Magruder Hospital
    We have one full-time opening in our Pharmacy for a Pharmacy Technician. This position performs technical duties of the Pharmacy Department. Applicants must hold a Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT), possess a high school diploma or GED...
  3. Pharmacy Technician Portland, ME MaineHealth
    Southern Maine Health Care Department: MaineHealth Southern Maine Health Care/Pharmacy BMCD Std Hrs/Wk: Full Time Shift: Rotating (Day/Evening) Full/Part Time: 40 Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details:...
  4. Pharmacy Technician Portland, ME MaineHealth
    Maine Behavioral Healthcare Department: MaineHealth Maine Behavioral Healthcare/SHH Pharmacy Std Hrs/Wk: Per Diem Shift: Flexible (As Needed) Full/Part Time: Per-Diem Apply Internal Apply Create Job Alert Add to Cart Job Details:...
  5. Pharmacy Technician Mobile, AL Infirmary Health
    High School graduate or GED equivalency with basic knowledge of math, English and typing Good comprehension of written material and oral communication skills Licensure/Certification/Registration: Current registry with the Alabama State...
  6. Technician, Pharmacy St. Louis Park, MN Park Nicollet Health Services
    Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
  7. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Lumberton, NC Southeastern Regional Medical Center
    Assist the Pharmacists by performing tasks associated with drug inventory control, inpatient and outpatient dispensing, sterile and non-sterile repackaging, and sterile adn non-sterile compounding, to include routine and technically complicated...
  8. Pharmacy Technician Oxford, NC Granville Health System
    Responsible for the preparation and distribution of medications and IV admixtures under the supervision of a Pharmacist. Assisting in maintaining computerized patient profiles for medication charges and credits. Qualifications: High school...
  9. Technician, Pharmacy St. Louis Park, MN Park Nicollet Health Services
    Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
  10. Technician, Pharmacy St. Louis Park, MN Park Nicollet Health Services
    Under direct supervision of a Pharmacist, assists in the timely and accurate dispensing of medications to patients in accordance with state and federal guidelines. This position is required to float to all Park Nicollet Pharmacy locations....
  11. Pharmacy Technician Hendersonville, NC Pardee Hospital
    The Pharmacy Technician assists the Pharmacist in preparing; ordering and stocking medications; coordinating and maintaining insurance information; completing and updating patient demographics on computer profile; and providing courteous and...
  12. Pharmacy Technician Boston, MA Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
    Supports the mission of the department by ensuing that the right patients receive the right medication in a safe and timely manner under the direct supervision of an inpatient pharmacist. Develops a full understanding of the drug distribution...
  13. Certified Pharmacy Technician INTERNAL Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
    JOB SUMMARY Assists the pharmacist in the following areas: Customer satisfaction, Processing medication orders, Preparing and delivering medications, Completing inventory control functions, and Additional assignments given by...
  14. Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician Gallipolis, OH Holzer
    Certified pharmacy technician Current licenses, as applicable, in Ohio The primary job responsibility for the Medication Reconciliation Technician is to obtain medication histories for assigned patients. This information will be used by...
  15. Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician Gallipolis, OH Holzer
    Certified pharmacy technician Current licenses, as applicable, in Ohio The primary job responsibility for the Medication Reconciliation Technician is to obtain medication histories for assigned patients. This information will be used by...

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