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

Jun 30, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of a Pharmacy Technician is to assist Pharmacists with the day-to-day operations of a pharmacy. This includes tasks such as filling prescriptions, counting and labeling medications, stocking shelves, and updating patient records. As a result of these duties, Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and safety of the medications they handle, thereby contributing to improved patient outcomes.

they can serve as a valuable resource to patients with questions, providing advice and guidance on proper medication usage. By providing these services, Pharmacy Technicians help to ensure that medications are properly dispensed and taken as prescribed, which leads to improved health outcomes for patients, reduced medical costs, and a more efficient healthcare system overall.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma or GED. Most employers require pharmacy technicians to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete a postsecondary education program. In order to become a certified pharmacy technician, you must complete a postsecondary education program that has been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Obtain Certification. Once you have completed your postsecondary education program, you must take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) in order to become certified.
Obtain Licensing. Depending on your state, you may need to obtain licensing in order to work as a pharmacy technician. Check with your state board of pharmacy to see if this is required in your state.
Find Employment. Once you have obtained your certification and/or licensing, you can begin searching for employment as a pharmacy technician. You can search online or apply directly at pharmacies.

Becoming a reliable and qualified pharmacy technician requires a combination of education, training, and experience. To become certified, individuals must complete an accredited program that covers topics such as drug calculations, pharmacy law, pharmacology, and medical terminology. Along with the educational requirements, most states require technicians to pass a certification exam.

After certification, technicians can gain experience through on-the-job training and volunteer work. This experience helps individuals build the skills and confidence needed to provide excellent customer service and accurately handle medication orders. With education, training, and experience, pharmacy technicians can become reliable and qualified professionals in the field.

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Job Description

Count, measure, and pour medications, as well as mix medications.
Receive and fill prescriptions.
Price and label medications for customers.
Check for drug interactions and allergies before dispensing medications.
Keep records of medications dispensed, orders received, and other information.
Enter patient and prescription information into a computer system.
Answer telephones, take messages, and respond to customer inquiries.
Contact physicians and insurance companies to verify information on prescriptions.
Prepare insurance claim forms.
Prepare intravenous medications for hospital patients.
Receive payments and process credit card transactions.
Order medications and supplies from wholesalers and manufacturers.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology
Familiarity with prescription and over-the-counter medications
Ability to accurately measure, mix, and dispense medications
Knowledge of laws and regulations related to pharmacy operations
Ability to accurately enter patient information into pharmacy computer systems
Ability to accurately calculate dosages and prepare prescriptions
Excellent customer service skills
Attention to detail
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to multi-task
Strong organizational skills
Knowledge of safety protocols for handling and storing medications
Knowledge of medical insurance policies and procedures

The most important skill to have as a Pharmacy Technician is the ability to effectively communicate with customers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. This skill is essential in order to obtain and provide accurate information when filling prescriptions and accurately answer customers questions. Effective communication also helps Pharmacy Technicians build relationships with patients and ensure that they get the best possible care.

Pharmacy Technicians must have a strong knowledge base of current medications, their side effects, and usage. Having this knowledge allows the Pharmacy Technician to properly advise the customer on the proper drug usage and provide accurate information to the pharmacist. Finally, a Pharmacy Technician must have the ability to accurately handle and count pills, measure liquid medications and enter data into a computer system.

This allows for accurate and timely medication preparation, which is essential for patient safety. The combination of these skills will ensure a successful career as a Pharmacy Technician.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as a Pharmacy Technician?
Describe a difficult situation you experienced in your previous pharmacy technician role and how you handled it.
What do you know about the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician?
How do you stay organized while managing multiple tasks simultaneously?
What is your experience with customer service?
How do you handle customer complaints or disputes?
What experience do you have with medical terminology?
How do you ensure accuracy when filling prescriptions?
How do you handle difficult or challenging customers?
What strategies do you use to stay up-to-date on new medications and treatments?

Common Tools in Industry

Medication Dispensing System. A computerized system used to dispense medication from the pharmacy. (eg: McKesson's Robot-Rx)
Medication Labeling Software. Software used to create labels for medications to ensure proper identification and labeling. (eg: GS1 Medication Labeler)
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System. A computerized system used to maintain patient health information and medical records. (eg: Epic EMR)
Drug Interaction Database. A database used to check for potential drug interactions before dispensing medication. (eg: Lexicomp Drug Interaction Checker)
Inventory Management System. A system used to track medications in stock and manage medication inventory. (eg: Nexgen Pharmacy Inventory System)
Automated Dispensing Cabinets. Cabinets that store and dispense medications automatically. (eg: Pyxis MedStation Systems)
Point-of-Sale System. A system used to process payments for medications and keep track of sales data. (eg: Verifone POS System)
Pharmacy Compliance Software. Software that helps pharmacists meet regulatory requirements and document patient care. (eg: RxSafe Compliance Manager)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)
Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT)
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP)
International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)

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Common Important Terms

Prescription. An order given by a healthcare provider to a pharmacist for a medication or medical device to treat an illness or condition.
Dispense. The process of preparing and providing a medication or medical device to a patient, based on a prescription.
Medication Errors. Mistakes that can occur during the prescribing, dispensing, or administration of a medication.
Drug Interactions. When two or more drugs interact with each other in the body, potentially causing adverse effects.
Drug Formulary. A list of medications that a pharmacy or health insurance provider has approved for use and reimbursement.
Hazardous Drugs. Medications that can cause harm to a patient if handled improperly.
Controlled Substances. Drugs that are highly regulated due to their potential for abuse and addiction.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs. Medications that do not require a prescription and can be purchased at a pharmacy or other retail store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What education is required to become a Pharmacy Technician?

Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some may require a degree or certification from an accredited pharmacy technician program.

What skills do Pharmacy Technicians need?

Pharmacy Technicians must have strong interpersonal skills and be detail-oriented. They should also have excellent customer service and organizational skills, as well as basic computer knowledge.

How much does a Pharmacy Technician earn?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians in 2019 was $34,020.

What are the duties of a Pharmacy Technician?

The primary duties of a Pharmacy Technician include preparing and dispensing medications, interacting with customers and healthcare professionals, answering phones, and maintaining pharmacy inventory.