Pharmacy technicians are an essential profession in the healthcare service and are typically found working alongside pharmacists in a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians can work in numerous settings, such as retail, hospital pharmacies, long-term healthcare facilities, or in pharmaceutical firms. A pharmacy technician, the majority of the time, is the first point of contact with customers, including patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Depending on where a pharmacy technician works, jobs can change, but generally, pharmacy technicians need to complete formal training to become certified as a pharmacy tech. You can find a pharmacy technician school online.
Pharmacy technicians greet customers and fill their prescriptions. Pharmacy techs are also responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information provided and involves numerous administrative tasks. A pharmacy technician will maintain patients’ profiles, process insurance forms, and manage customer records. Other duties can include maintenance and upkeep of the pharmacy and the inventory, such as labeling medications, filling bottles, and ensuring that pharmaceutical products are stored secured and safe.
The responsibilities of pharmacy technicians can vary based on the setting of the pharmacy. Typical days can change for pharmacy technicians depending on their environment and the demand of the pharmacy. Still, there are several standard responsibilities that all pharmacy technicians will complete, whether they work in a hospital, drug store, or retail pharmacy.
- Receiving Prescriptions – A pharmacy technician will process and retrieve prescriptions over computer software. Information technology is a large part of the operation of pharmacies, as a patient’s history and prescription history are now stored electronically.
- Confirming Prescriptions – Along with receiving prescription orders, pharmacy techs need to check customer’s insurance eligibility and coverage before giving prescriptions. When a patient brings in a written prescription, it is the role od the tech to confirm all information is correct and up to date, such as the patient’s name is spelled correctly, date of birth is accurate, and the known allergies are exact. The pharmacy should also have the current address, phone number, and insurance information on file for the patient.
- Submit insurance claims – When a pharmacy technician confirms the information for the prescription is correct, they can then submit to the patient insurance for payment. Insurance payments are submitted electronically.
- Dispense Medication – Dispensing medication begins with the pharmacist translating the medicine, reviewing drug interactions, duplicating the therapy, and appropriate dosage, and ensuring dose is safe and proper. As soon as the pharmacist has cleared and passed the prescription, it is the pharmacy tech’s responsibility to verify doctor’s information and correct it along with the medication dosage, and the quality that the medicine has been approved for.
- Customer Service – In retail pharmacy settings, pharmacy techs can expect to provide customer service to patients or customers daily. These interactions could involve referring patients to the pharmacist or helping customers locate an over-the-counter medication. Technicians are expected to be kind and to have strong interpersonal skills to guarantee that a customer’s trip to the pharmacy Is a pleasant experience.
- Stock Medication and Supplies – Keeping inventory is a vital part of a pharmacy technicians’ job to ensure that the needs of customers and patients are met. Without keeping an up to date stock of supplies and medications, a pharmacy cannot provide to its customers, and managing inventory is a critical job responsibility for a pharmacy technician.
- Obtain Prescription Approvals – Pharmacy technicians are responsible for making sure that all prescriptions are reviewed and approved by the pharmacist that is on duty. Also, when an order is completed, the patient’s information must be stored or disposed of, and this task falls on the pharmacy tech.
Final Thoughts
The life of a pharmacy technician is hectic, and duties or tasks can change from day-to-day. To become a pharmacy technician, you need to complete a certificate program and on-hands learning.
