Pharmacy Technicians

Career summary

Pharmacy technicians receive prescriptions and requests for refills from customers and health professionals. They get the information required to fill the prescription.

They count tablets and measure medication needed to fill the prescription. Sometimes they compound or mix medications. They package and label prescriptions. The prescription is checked by a pharmacist before it is given to a customer.

When customers pick up a prescription, technicians accept payment and make sure insurance information is complete.

Pharmacy technicians may have other tasks, such as:

• Maintain patient profiles that include medication history
• Fill out insurance forms
• Inventory prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• Stock supplies
• Clean and maintain equipment

In hospitals, technicians read patient charts, and prepare and deliver medicine to patients. Technicians may also put together a 24-hour supply of medicine for patients. They package and label each dose separately. They make up intravenous (IV) packs for patients. A pharmacist must check medications before they are delivered.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Dental Assistants
• Health Information Technicians
• Medical Assistants
• Opticians
• Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Aides
• Veterinary Assistants

Military careers

• Pharmacy Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to pharmacy technicians.

• Transfer medications from vials to syringes.
• Perform all duties under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Prepare medications and intravenous (IV) packs.
• Verify written prescriptions or requests for refills.
• Answer telephones and respond to customer questions.
• Maintain proper storage and security for drugs.
• Fill bottles with prescribed medications. Prepare and attach labels to containers.
• Monitor machines that fill prescriptions.
• Prepare insurance claim forms.
• Count, measure, or mix medications.
• Run cash register.
• Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
• Clean and sterilize pharmacy equipment according to prescribed methods.
• Establish and maintain patient profiles.
• Calculate charges for medication and equipment. Enter data in computer.
• Deliver medications and supplies to patients or staff.
• Count inventory and enter data into computer. Inform supervisors of inventory shortages.
• Price supplies and mark items for sale.
• Receive and store incoming supplies.
• Sell home health care products and services.

Common work activities

Pharmacy technicians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Use computers
• Perform for or work with the public
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Process information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Handle and move objects
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Analyze data or information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Teach others
• Develop and build teams
• Perform activities that use the whole body

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, pharmacy technicians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They constantly interact with customers and patients.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals. Customers may become upset if their order is not ready on time.
• Are responsible for work outcomes. They must be sure that customer prescription and refill information is verified.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Communicate with coworkers, patients, and customers daily by telephone, e-mail, or in person.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of patients.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.
• Sometimes wear a uniform or lab coat.
• Are sometimes exposed to diseases, infections, and contaminants.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could cause serious health problems for patients.
• Repeat the same tasks over and over, such as verifying customer and patient information.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor. This is because they do many of the same tasks each day.
• They consult pharmacists for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work evenings, nights, weekends, and some holidays.
• May work varying shifts.

Physical demands

Pharmacy technicians frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for pharmacy technicians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for pharmacy technicians to be able to:

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Pharmacy technicians need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Pharmacy Technology

Training

To work as a pharmacy technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some pharmacy technicians complete a formal training program. Pharmacy technician programs last one to two years. Two-year programs grant an associate degree. One-year programs grant a certificate. During training you study medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, and pharmacy recordkeeping. You also learn medication names, doses, and uses.

On-the-job training

Many pharmacy technicians learn their skills on the job from an experienced pharmacy technician. You may receive training for up to 12 months. During training, you learn:

• the names and doses of medications;
• ethics and laws;
• store policies; and
• customer service.

Many training programs offer internships where you get hands-on experience working in a pharmacy. Interns work under the supervision of experienced technicians or pharmacists.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be pharmacy technicians. Training lasts from 12 to 17 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. Pharmacy technicians need a strong background in Chemistry. If possible, take one or more Chemistry courses.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

There are no national and few state requirements for training pharmacy technicians. However, employers often prefer applicants who have completed formal training. Many employers have neither the time nor money to train their own technicians.

Applicants without formal training but with experience working as a pharmacy assistant in a drug store have an advantage. Some employers prefer one to two years of work experience. Experience managing supplies or counting and measuring drugs is also preferred. Any experience using computers is helpful. Employers also prefer applicants who get along well with people and know how to serve customers. Applicants should have an eye for detail and enjoy teamwork.

Becoming a certified pharmacy technician might also help in the hiring process. Employers know that technicians who pass the exam have knowledge and skills.

Some employers require a keyboarding test.

Costs to workers

Pharmacy technicians must buy comfortable walking shoes. Some must purchase their own lab coats. Many join professional associations.

Licensing/certification

Pharmacy technicians must be certified by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. To be certified, technicians must:

• hold a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete an approved pharmacy technician training program or, if working for a pharmacy, complete 520 hours of supervised and approved on-the-job training;
• show proof of eight hours of pharmacy law study;
• pass a board-approved national exam;
• submit an application to the State Board of Pharmacy;
• answer personal data questions; and
• complete four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education.

The state certification fee for a pharmacy technician is $70 and the renewal fee is $70 annually. Technicians must complete ten hours of continuing education, including at least one hour of pharmacy law, every year to renew their certification.

Pharmacy technicians who have contact with patients or the general public must wear badges that identify them as technicians.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Pharmacy 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#Made minor update to licensing info; no fee changes, 4/16/13 cj. Updated url, no change to fees lh 3/20/14. Added info on new CE requirements; rest of info ok, 3/17/15 cj. Licensing section ok 12/14/16 cj. Updated fees as have increased, 4/5/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Pharmacy Technicians 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by shift, employer, and the technician's level of training. Technicians may receive higher wages for working evenings or weekends. Certified technicians may earn more.

Full-time pharmacy technicians usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who work part time may not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

In Washington, job openings occur as pharmaceutical services in hospitals or other health care facilities strive to meet more needs. Fewer pharmacists in the workforce have shifted more job duties to pharmacy technicians. In Washington, state law allows one pharmacist to oversee up to three technicians. Technicians are also needed to oversee automated prescription machines. This will help to increase the number of jobs for technicians and assistants. The growth of pharmacy outlets in grocery and general merchandise stores may create opportunities for technicians and assistants. Some openings are created by employee turnover.

#Ratio of pharmacist to techs still the same 12/14/16, 4/5/19 cj.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About half of all pharmacy technicians work in retail drug stores.

Major employers:

• Pharmacies and drug stores
• Hospitals
• Grocery store pharmacies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. As the population ages, more people will need medications. New medications are always being developed and more will become available. Also, new federal health care laws mean that more people will be covered by health insurance and be able to seek medical treatment.

Demand for pharmacy technicians also grows as pharmacy technicians do more tasks formally done by pharmacists.

Job prospects will be best for those with experience, formal training, and certifications.

Other resources

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 
1400 Crystal Dr, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22202
703.739.2330

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 
PO Box 391043
Omaha, NE 68139
336.333.9356
336.333.9356

American Pharmacists Association 
2215 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
800.237.2742
202.628.4410

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 

Explore Health Careers: Pharmacy Technician 

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board 
2215 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite 101
Washington, DC 20037

Washington State Pharmacy Association 
411 Williams Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
425.228.7171

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Pharmacy Technicians (29-2052.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Pharmacy Technician (074.382-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Science Skilled