How to Be Apprentice Pharmacist Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 5, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Apprentice pharmacist technicians gain a valuable education and experience in the field of pharmacy. Through an apprentice program, they can become certified and have a greater chance of finding employment in the field. Through their involvement in the program, they learn the skills needed to safely and accurately prepare prescriptions and perform other duties associated with the role of a pharmacist.

This education provides them with the knowledge and understanding necessary to provide excellent patient care and protect public safety. In turn, this can lead to greater job opportunities, better job security, and higher salaries.

Steps How to Become

Complete a High School Diploma or GED. Most programs for becoming an apprentice pharmacist technician require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Attend an Accredited Pharmacy Technician Program. The next step is to attend an accredited pharmacy technician program. Most programs will include classroom and laboratory instruction in medical terminology, drug calculations, dosage forms and compounding, as well as an externship in a pharmacy setting.
Obtain Certification. After successful completion of a program, the next step is to obtain certification. Most states require pharmacy technicians to be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Become a Registered Pharmacy Technician. The final step is to become a registered pharmacy technician. To do this, you must submit an application to your state board of pharmacy and pass a background check. Once registered, you can begin working as an apprentice under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Start Working. Once you are registered as an apprentice pharmacist technician, you can begin working in a pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. You will typically begin by performing basic tasks such as counting pills and labeling bottles, but may eventually be responsible for more complex duties such as mixing medications and consulting with patients.
Complete Additional Training. Depending on the state you are working in, you may have to complete additional training and/or pass an exam in order to become a certified pharmacy technician.
Advance Your Career. As you gain experience as an apprentice pharmacy technician, you may decide to advance your career further by taking on additional responsibilities or seeking a higher-level position within the pharmacy.

Apprentice Pharmacist Technicians become skilled and capable through training in multiple areas of pharmacy. This includes learning about medication safety, drug interactions, disease states, medical terminology, and pharmacology. they must understand the legal and ethical implications of working in a pharmacy.

The experience they gain while shadowing more experienced technicians and pharmacists helps them develop the technical and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the field. With a greater understanding of the pharmacy environment, apprentice technicians gain confidence in their abilities to accurately fill prescriptions and provide quality patient care. As their knowledge and skills grow, they become more competent in their work and more valuable to their employers.

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Job Description

Assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing medications
Monitor inventory levels of medications and manage drug stock
Receive prescriptions and verify accuracy of order
Package, label, and prepare medications for delivery to patient
Maintain patient records and confidential information
Follow all safety and security regulations
Advise patients on proper usage and storage of medications
Answer customer inquiries and provide medication information
Complete administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and billing
Clean and maintain work area and equipment

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs and their uses
Knowledge of prescription and over-the-counter medications
Ability to accurately measure, mix, and dispense pharmaceuticals
Understanding of medical terminology and abbreviations
Ability to read and interpret patient prescriptions
Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations
Ability to maintain confidential patient records
Excellent customer service skills
Good communication skills
Ability to work independently or in a team
Basic computer skills
Ability to prioritize tasks
Attention to detail
Ability to restock shelves with medication
Knowledge of proper storage techniques for pharmaceuticals

The most important skill for an Apprentice Pharmacist Technician is attention to detail. This skill is critical in accurately filling prescriptions or preparing medications for patients. It involves carefully reading labels, following instructions, and double-checking calculations and measurements before dispensing medications.

Attention to detail also helps to ensure that the correct medication is dispensed and that it is correctly labeled. If a mistake is made in any of these processes, it can lead to serious consequences, such as incorrect dosages which can cause harm to the patient, or worse. Attention to detail also helps to keep prescription errors, medication errors, and other potential medical errors to a minimum.

it is important for an Apprentice Pharmacist Technician to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Strong communication skills allow the technician to ask questions and provide clear explanations when needed, as well as accurately report any adverse reactions or other issues reported by patients.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a Pharmacist Technician?
How have you handled challenging customer service situations in the past?
What do you believe are the most important skills for a Pharmacist Technician?
Tell me about a time you had to work with someone who had different opinions than you.
What strategies do you use to stay organized and on task?
How do you handle difficult or uncooperative patients?
Describe a time when you had to adjust to a sudden change in the workflow.
What have you done to further your professional development?
Do you have any experience working with insurance companies?
What do you believe is the most important part of providing excellent customer service?

Common Tools in Industry

Calculator. Used to perform basic calculations (eg: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
Drug Reference Guide. A guide containing information about drugs, their indications and interactions. (eg: Lexicomp)
Pharmacy Scale. Used to accurately measure and weigh drugs. (eg: OHAUS Scout Pro)
Automated Dispensing Machine. Automated machine used to fill prescriptions. (eg: Pyxis MedStation)
Label Printer. Used to print labels for medication containers and other pharmacy supplies. (eg: Brady BMP51)
Robotic Dispensing System. Automated system used to quickly and accurately fill prescriptions. (eg: Swisslog Autonomous Pharmacy System)
Pill Counter. Used to count out pills for prescriptions. (eg: Ohaus AP-204)
Computer System. Used to enter patient information and access drug databases. (eg: HealthLink)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Pharmacists Association
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
National Community Pharmacists Association
International Pharmaceutical Federation
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering
National Alliance for Pharmacy Education and Training
American College of Clinical Pharmacy

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Common Important Terms

Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT). A pharmacy technician who is registered with the state board of pharmacy in order to practice technical aspects of pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). An organization that certifies pharmacy technicians in the United States.
Drug Interactions. When two drugs interact with each other, altering their effectiveness or producing unwanted side effects.
Pharmaceutical Calculations. A form of mathematics used in the pharmacy profession to accurately measure, mix and prepare medications.
Controlled Substances. Substances that have been classified by the United States government into one of five categories according to their potential for abuse and addiction.
Compounding. The process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication for a specific patients needs.
Prescription Label. A label that is placed on a medication container by a pharmacist that contains instructions for use and important safety information.
Drug Dispensing. The process of a pharmacist distributing medication to a patient based upon a prescription order.
Medication Administration. The process of providing a patient with their prescribed medication in a safe and effective manner.
Drug Information. Information about a drugs safety, efficacy, dosage, and other related information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are required to become an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician?

To become an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a pharmacy technician program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

What is the duration of an apprenticeship program for a Pharmacy Technician?

Most apprenticeship programs for Pharmacy Technicians last between 1-2 years and include both classroom instruction and supervised practical experience in a pharmacy setting.

What are the tasks performed by a Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists with a variety of tasks such as filling prescriptions, counting, measuring and labeling medication, stocking shelves, managing inventory, and performing administrative duties.

What type of knowledge is required to be an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician?

To be an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician, you must have knowledge of pharmaceutical terms and abbreviations, pharmaceutical calculations, and basic medical terminology.

How can I find an apprenticeship program for a Pharmacy Technician?

You can find apprenticeship programs for Pharmacy Technicians through hospitals, pharmacies, and healthcare organizations. You can also search online for apprenticeship programs in your area.