Claire Dawson
Pharmacy technicians are indispensable healthcare professionals who work with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to ensure safe, effective, and efficient pharmaceutical care. They are responsible for preparing, packaging, and dispensing prescription medications in healthcare or retail settings. Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals enjoy better vacation and insurance benefits and higher salaries due to their irregular working hours, which often include nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also receive extensive on-the-job training and specialize in areas such as IV-Admixture, which involves administering intravenous medicine to patients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work environment | Hospitals, retail pharmacy locations, nursing homes, assisted living facilities |
| Work hours | Nights, evenings, weekends, holidays |
| Work with | Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy staff, patients |
| Job responsibilities | Preparing, packaging, labelling, and dispensing prescription medications, collecting patient information, creating compound medications, IV fluids, and other mixtures for patients, stocking supplies, delivering medicines to different hospital wings, answering phones, taking med requests and med orders |
| Training | High school degree or equivalent with on-the-job training, postsecondary education program (certificate program or associate's degree), internship, practicum, work-study experience |
| Certification | Not required in some states, required in other states (passing the PTCE to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPHT)) |
| Salary | $35,000 per year (full-time), $5,000 higher than the national average (hourly rate of $15) |
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What You'll Learn
- Pharmacy technicians prepare, package and distribute medications
- They work with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and patients
- They require strong communication skills
- They must be proficient in medical terminology and prescriptions
- Pharmacy technicians can work in specialities like critical care or pediatrics
Pharmacy technicians prepare, package and distribute medications
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for preparing, packaging, and distributing medications in hospitals. They work under the supervision of senior pharmacy personnel and pharmacists to ensure that hospital staff receive accurate information about prescriptions and doses. This involves interpreting medical terminology and updating patient charts.
In hospitals, pharmacy technicians prepare and dispense medicines, ensuring that all administrative tasks are completed. They may also create compound medications, IV fluids, and other mixtures for patients. This includes working with IV infusion pumps that administer intravenous medicine.
Technicians are often required to work independently and may be responsible for filling over 1000 individual doses of medication per day. They may also have projects in the main pharmacy and deliver medications to different hospital floors as needed.
Hospital pharmacy technicians are expected to have a strong understanding of prescriptions and medical terminology. They play a crucial role in ensuring that hospital staff are aware of the specifics of a patient's prescriptions and dosage.
Pharmacy technicians in hospitals often work flexible shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may enjoy better vacation and insurance benefits to compensate for the unpredictable working hours.
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They work with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and patients
Pharmacy technicians work with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and patients to ensure the smooth operation of the hospital pharmacy. They are responsible for preparing, packaging, and dispensing prescription medications. They may also create compound medications, IV fluids, and other mixtures for patients.
Technicians act as a link between patients and pharmacists, playing an important role in the healthcare team. They do not have direct contact with patients but work under the supervision of a lead pharmacist to ensure that hospital staff are given the correct information about prescriptions and doses. They also ensure that all the required administrative work is kept up to date, which may include reading and updating a patient's chart.
Pharmacy technicians work under pressure, often filling over 1000 individual doses of medication per day, which are then administered to patients by nurses. They may also deliver medications to different hospital wings as needed.
Technicians also support pharmacists by answering phones and helping to process medication orders and requests. They may also be responsible for stocking supplies and collecting patient information.
Pharmacy technicians are required to have strong communication skills when working with patients, doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff. They must also be knowledgeable and proficient in the practices and procedures of pharmacy operations.
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They require strong communication skills
Pharmacy technicians are an indispensable part of the healthcare team, working with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to ensure safe and effective pharmaceutical care. They require strong communication skills to excel in their role.
Technicians are often the link between patients and pharmacists, and as such, they must be adept at communicating with both parties. They need to be able to understand and interpret patient requests and prescriptions, and then effectively communicate these to the pharmacist. This includes relaying any important patient information, such as allergies or other medications, to ensure the pharmacist has all the necessary details to prepare the prescription.
In a hospital setting, pharmacy technicians often work with physicians, specialists, and nurses to ensure the right medication and dosage is administered to patients. Strong communication skills are vital to ensure clear and concise information is provided to these healthcare professionals. For example, a technician may need to explain the specific dosage and timing of a medication to a nurse, or communicate with a physician about a patient's medication history.
Additionally, pharmacy technicians often have an educational role, providing patients with information about their medications. This requires clear and concise communication to ensure patients understand how and when to take their medications, and any potential side effects or interactions. Technicians may also need to communicate any concerns or issues to the pharmacist or other healthcare providers.
Strong communication skills are also essential for pharmacy technicians when working as part of a team. They often collaborate with other technicians and pharmacy staff, so effective communication is necessary to ensure smooth workflow and efficient patient care. Technicians may also need to communicate with insurance companies or other administrative staff, requiring a professional and clear manner.
Furthermore, technicians with excellent communication skills can provide a friendly and approachable presence in the pharmacy. This can help build trust and rapport with patients, making them feel comfortable and valued. Strong communication skills enable technicians to actively listen to patients, address any concerns, and provide reassurance or guidance.
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They must be proficient in medical terminology and prescriptions
Pharmacy technicians are an indispensable part of the healthcare team, working with pharmacists, doctors, and nurses to ensure patients receive the correct medication. They are responsible for preparing, packaging, and dispensing prescription medications.
Technicians working in hospitals are expected to have a more advanced understanding of medical terminology and prescriptions than their counterparts in retail pharmacies. This is because they may be required to read and update patient charts, ensuring hospital staff are aware of the specifics of a patient's prescriptions and doses. Hospital pharmacy technicians must be proficient in interpreting medical terminology and prescriptions, as they are responsible for filling prescriptions for patients admitted to the hospital. They must be able to understand the medical terminology used in prescriptions, including the names and dosages of medications, as well as any special instructions or considerations. This knowledge ensures that they can accurately prepare and dispense medications as prescribed by the medical team.
In addition to filling prescriptions, hospital pharmacy technicians may also create compound medications, IV fluids, and other mixtures for patients. They are often trained in specialized areas, such as IV-Admixture, which involves administering intravenous medicine using IV infusion pumps. This specialized training can lead to higher salaries and expanded career opportunities.
To become proficient in medical terminology and prescriptions, aspiring pharmacy technicians should pursue a combination of education and on-the-job training. While some states only require a high school diploma and regulate the profession through exams and continuing education, others mandate certification through passing the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam). Completing a post-secondary educational certificate program can provide a solid foundation in medical terminology and prescriptions, along with hands-on training in a pharmacy setting.
Furthermore, gaining experience in a retail pharmacy before transitioning to a hospital setting is advantageous. Most hospitals prefer candidates with at least one to two years of retail experience, as it provides exposure to a wide range of prescriptions and helps develop proficiency in medical terminology.
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Pharmacy technicians can work in specialities like critical care or pediatrics
Pharmacy technicians have a wide range of career opportunities and can choose to work in various specialities, including critical care and pediatrics.
In critical care, pharmacy technicians work with pharmacists and other healthcare providers to ensure the best care for patients. They are responsible for preparing, packaging, and dispensing medications to patients in critical condition. To prepare for this role, pharmacy technicians can undergo specialised training such as the Adult Critical Care training pathway offered by the NHS in England. This training ensures that pharmacy technicians have the necessary competencies to work effectively in critical care settings.
In pediatrics, pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of licensed pharmacists in hospitals and healthcare facilities specialising in pediatric care. They play a crucial role in preparing, dispensing, and delivering medications to young patients. Pediatric pharmacy technicians also ensure that emergency medications are readily available and collaborate with nurses and doctors during emergencies. They also perform administrative tasks, maintain inventory, and provide customer service support in the pharmacy.
Whether in critical care or pediatrics, pharmacy technicians are an integral part of the healthcare team, working closely with pharmacists and other specialists to ensure that patients receive the medications they need. Their knowledge of pharmacy operations and functions makes them valuable in any specialty area they choose to pursue within the healthcare industry.
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Frequently asked questions
The qualifications needed to become a pharmacy technician vary by state. However, the traditional pathway includes earning a high school diploma, receiving a post-secondary educational certificate or associate degree, gaining real-world experience through internships or work-study programs, and obtaining national certification through a certifying board. Some states do not require certification, but it may make you a more valuable candidate.
Pharmacy technicians in hospitals work under the supervision of senior pharmacy personnel to ensure that hospital staff are given the correct information about prescriptions and doses. They also prepare and dispense medicines, and ensure that all the required administrative work is kept up to date.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average salary for a full-time pharmacy technician is around $35,000 per year. Full-time pharmacy technicians working in a hospital earn, on average, around $5,000 a year more than the national average, with an hourly salary of around $15. This salary can be increased by additional on-the-job training and specialisations.
Pharmacy technicians in hospitals often work flexible shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays, to cover hospital operation hours. To compensate for this lack of predictable working hours, pharmacy technicians working for hospitals often enjoy better vacation and insurance benefits.
