Job Responsibilities
Pharmacy technicians are a pharmacist's aide--they do everything
except check the accuracy of prescriptions and counsel patients on
their medications. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for, and
not limited to, answering phones, refilling prescriptions,
assisting customers in a drive-thru or walk-up window if equipped,
operating a cash register efficiently, filling prescriptions
accurately, stocking medication and maintaining inventory,
efficiently and quickly typing in prescriptions to be filled, and
maintaining a high level of customer service. Most pharmacy
technicians must also call patients to remind them of
prescriptions needing to be picked up, inform patients of delays
in filling their medications, dealing with insurance issues, and
operating fax and copier machines. An understanding of medical
terminology is advisable.
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Job Requirements
In order to become a pharmacy technician, one must possess a High
School Diploma and be at least 18 years of age. Sometimes
certification is required, which can be obtained by going through
the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (their website is
www.ptcb.org.) However, for a retail pharmacy like Kroger,
completion of a company-based training program for pharmacy
technicians is mandated. These classes consist of learning data
entry and how to read scripts, and using computers to learn new
information.
There are different levels of pharmacy technician which can be
achieved. The entry level technician-- a Technician I -- is
required to learn about privacy policies and general technician
operating rules. A Technician II is able to read prescriptions
and enter them into the computer systems. Technician III's can
order and maintain inventory via the computer efficiently.
All levels of Technicians are tested on these specific areas, then
given a test to complete. Tech's can only miss 15 questions or
less in order to pass to the next level; a pay raise is included
upon passing.
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Uppers
The best part about being a pharmacy technician is that the pay raises come
quickly; a person beginning at 7.00/hr, within three months or so, can be more
at 9.00/hr. Pharmacy technicians usually have a steady schedule, as well, or at
least almost always get the days off that they request. Pharmacy technicians are
very sheltered, especially those within retail buildings, and therefore the other
workers become more like family than mere acquaintances. Pharmacy technicians
are also treated with a great deal of respect with other non-pharmacy employees.
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Downers
There are several negative aspects of being a pharmacy technician
that can push people away from the occupation. First of all, the
job becomes very repetitive after being at it for a year or more.
There are sometimes customers that are very difficult to handle,
especially since in a pharmacy, one is typically dealing with
individuals who don't feel well.
Because of the delicate nature of handling other people's
medications, there is the additional mental stress of making a
mistake that could potentially threaten the patient's life. There
is also the room for criticism of a pharmacy technician by a
patient who thinks the pharmacy technician is not doing a good
job, or has not accurately handled his/her medications.
Pharmacy technicians also have a physically demanding occupation,
in that they stand for several hours at a time, often going
without any set breaks. Until lunch time, a pharmacy technician
generally stands for four to six hours with no sit down time,
stocks heavy boxes of pill bottles and lids onto shelfs, and
organizes medications into their respective aisles.
Lastly, for doing more work than pharmacists, pharmacy technicians
don't get paid very much, and therefore sometimes feel used or
seem syncophantic and subservient. The starting wage for a
pharmacy tech is generally from 6-12 dollars an hour.
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Lifestyle
The pharmacy technician's lifestyle is all around pretty good, with the
exception of the downers already mentioned. Work hours are pretty stable,
although long and physically demanding. Generally, any requests for days off are
fulfilled. Company social events are typically privately organized events
amongst the pharmacy staff, and are fun due to the fact that after a while--
coworkers became like a family to the pharmacy technician.
Dress code is great in a retail pharmacy because it is very laid back-- jeans
and dressy casual t-shirts and blouses are acceptable. A hospital pharmacy and
full-scale pharmacy typically demands a highly professional appearance. However,
a smock or apron is generally worn to protect clothes from any medicinal spills.
Many different people become pharmacy technicians-- from all walks of life.
Therefore, a pharm tech meets millions of interesting people, and sometimes, of
course, ones with which the pharmacy technician just can not get along. In a
small enclosed area like a pharmacy, one must learn to be mature and professional
at all times, even when dealing with unfavorable co-workers.
Emotional sensitivity is also a con when working as a pharmacy tech, as many
co-workers, pharmacists, and patients will sometimes lose their patience with
you-- especially during a "rush" when everyone is busily working. A pharmacy
technician must learn to be thick-skinned and never take anything personally,
otherwise their job will lead to their emotional demise.
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Compensation
Unfortunately, pharmacy technicians work very hard at what they do
(most of the time) yet don't get adequately paid for it.
Pharmacy technicians must be intelligent and mature, and possess
many unique skills and talents in order to efficiently prosper in
a busy, fast-paced pharmacy. Making 6 to 12 dollars an hour to
start doesn't seem like enough for the work done. However, pay
raises advance quickly in the field-- since without a pharmacy
degree there is no room for career advancement.
The benefits of working in a pharmacy generally come with
whichever company with which the pharmacy is affliated. The
Kroger pharmacy is part of the union and therefore even part-time
pharmacy technicians get health and life insurance amongst other
benefits. Pharmacy technicians can own stock in the company for
which they work, but when they are in the union, they must also
pay union dues.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Pharmacy technicians are always pharmacy technicians, unless they
move out of the field and on to greater things. They can not
become interns or pharmacists without seeking a bachelor's degree
and then moving on to pharmacy school. Therefore, if you don't
mind being the one to take all the grunt work, then a pharmacy
technician job is great. It is a great starting point for young,
mature, intelligent people who want a steady, stable job in
healthcare without the gore of internal medicine or nursing. It
is a one-to-one job in which being a people-person is a must!
The pharmacy technician field itself is growing, however, and more
and more people are seeking pharmacy jobs. Pharmacy technicians
will never go out of style, as there will most likely always be a
demand for medicines and the people to fill them adequately. Of
course, the pharmacy profession is the most trusted profession of all!
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