How to become A Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technicians are knowledgeable and helpful professionals who dispense appropriate prescription or over-the-counter medications to improve their customers’ physical and mental well-being

• Certified Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacy Tech

What do Pharmacy Technicians do?

A Pharmacy Technician would typically need to:

• Assist a licensed pharmacist in proper filling and dispensation of prescription medication to individuals and healthcare professionals
• Greet customers in person or over the phone and address their concerns
• Enter patient information into the computer system to confirm prescription validity and verify accuracy of patient data
• Follow medication orders and prescriptions in selection of appropriate medication and its dosage
• Assemble intravenous solutions and other therapies; fill prescription orders using automated dispensing equipment, where available
• Review and check the validity of medications before packing, labelling, and handing them over to the customer
• Calculate, record and issue proper dues; accept payment for medicines and process insurance claims, if required
• Maintain an inventory of the stock; dispose of expired material as per standard guidelines
• Inform the pharmacist of any shortages in the stock; place, follow up, and receive orders as required
• Maintain hygiene and safety in accordance with set rules and regulations; comply with infection-control policies and protocols to safeguard patients and staff
• Carry out administrative tasks, such as preparing reports and keeping records of all relevant activities

Pharmacy Technicians work indoors, behind the counter and in the storage room, staying on their feet as they attend to customers, maintain inventory, fill prescriptions, and assist pharmacists. They also spend time on their computers for administrative work. Travel is likely when working with international companies.

Most Pharmacy Technicians work full-time in eight-hour shifts, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and public holidays so that the pharmacy can remain open 24/7. Some prefer to work five days a week and put in around 30 hours.

Research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in the number of employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules as per the demands of the job.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Pharmacy Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting pharmacies and healthcare facilities directly, using job search platforms, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Pharmacy Technicians are generally employed by:

• Pharmacies & Drug Stores
• Private Hospitals
• Food & Beverage stores
• Nursing Homes
• Health Centres
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Public Health Institutions
• Health & Personal Care Stores
• Supermarkets

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), are crucial for a Pharmacy Technician interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Serious and even fatal health concerns caused due to faulty drug management
• Physical exhaustion from being on one’s feet for prolonged periods
• Occasional aches and pains from bending, stretching, squatting, and lifting/carrying heavy objects
• Dealing with anxious and demanding customers and staff
• Coping with the demands of fast-paced pharmacies
• Risk of infection associated with working in healthcare settings
• Frustration from disruption in business due to system errors or breakdowns in computers and scanners
• Burnout caused by long workdays, frequent night and weekend shifts, and overtime compounded by inefficient work practices of colleagues

Begin acquiring experience in high school by volunteering at a hospital or other healthcare settings to gain insights into the field. 

Aspiring Pharmacy Technicians may intern in retail or hospital pharmacies under the supervision of experienced professionals. Summer work placements in community or hospital pharmacies or industrial pharmacies will also help you gain practical experience.

Most pharmacology programs allow students to gain hands-on experience and enhance their customer and patient care skills in hospital pharmacies and retail stores.

Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the work, give valuable insight into how a company or institution operates, help build valuable contacts, and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. 

The experience may also help you determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.

Read as much as possible about the profession and interview local pharmacists to demonstrate your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

The minimum qualification for Pharmacy Technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, preferably with courses in mathematics, chemistry, and biology, supplemented by relevant on-the-job training.

However, some countries or employers may require candidates to have completed a formal education program or a post-secondary education in pharmacy technology. Usually offered by vocational schools or community colleges, the programmes lead to certificates in a year or less or an associate degree, typically in two years. 

Post-secondary education in pharmacy technology or pharmaceuticals covers various subjects, including human anatomy, disease management, pharmacy and medical law, pharmacy procedures such as recordkeeping and dispensing medications, arithmetic applicable to pharmacies, pharmaceutical and medical terminology, and ethics. The names, actions, uses, and doses of medicines are a significant subject area as well.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

Certification demonstrates a Pharmacy Technician’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. While it may not be mandatory, certification enhances employability and unfolds various opportunities for a technician's advancement. 

Specific conditions for acquiring different types of certification may differ; generally,  they include a high school diploma, completion of a pharmacy technician training program, or experience of at least a year in the field.

Pharmacy Technicians must register with the relevant pharmaceutical board of the region where they intend to work. Most countries regulate pharmacy technicians through an exam, formal education or training, continuing education, fees, or a criminal background check. Essential prerequisites to take a particular competency exam vary across locations.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of a Pharmacy Technician who may be promoted to Senior Pharmacy Technician.

Large pharmaceutical chains offer opportunities to advance to Branch and District Manager positions. Completing required courses and training usually allows one to become a Licenced Pharmacist or Registered Nurse.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

Candidates with strong interpersonal skills, experience, and post-secondary qualifications in pharmacy technology have the best job prospects

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Pharmacy Technician build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. CPD also enables the regular renewal of desirable certifications, licences, and registrations.

In general, employers provide on-the-job training on topics such as recordkeeping, arithmetic used in pharmacies, ways of dispensing medications, and pharmacy law & ethics.

An experienced Pharmacy Technician may pursue further studies to become a pharmacist. One could also choose to specialise in a particular practice area, such as mental health, oncology, or paediatrics. 

Other areas to specialise in include the management or manufacturing of medicines, quality control, training & education, information technology, procurement, clinical trials, and medical information services.

Not a Hair out of Place

Pharmacy Technicians must make sure they look professional at all times. Their uniform of black/tan slacks and white shirt should remain crisp and clean, with a name badge to state their designation and avoid being confused as the pharmacist.

Avoid wearing sandals or open-toed shoes for hygiene and safety reasons. You should always tie up your hair and keep your nails tidy.

Cherry Pick

You may hedge your bets and narrow your workplace choices to the areas most likely to interest you.

Pharmacy Technicians who enjoy regular interaction with patients and their families and other healthcare providers as active medical team members will find umpteen openings in hospitals.

Numerous job opportunities abound in community pharmacies and local grocery or drug stores where retail Pharmacy Technicians deal daily with the general public.

Other options include rehabilitation centres and mail-order pharmacies, which offer independent and behind-the-scenes services to a broader range of customers than the local pharmacy. 

When used with databases and prescription history, artificial intelligence (AI) helps pharmacies monitor opioid abuse by identifying overprescription and patients at risk for opioid misuse.

Yet another vital cog in the healthcare industry, Pharmacy Technicians find ample reasons to be satisfied with their choice of occupation that seeks to help people recover from debilitating diseases, severe injuries, and minor illnesses

Listen attentively to the patient or caregiver, read prescriptions carefully, use proper abbreviations while labelling medications, and instruct the patient clearly on dosage and potential side effects, allergic reactions, and drug interactions.