What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Technicians prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

Salary
$36450
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Pharmacy Technicians prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders. They also receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.

Other tasks include:

  • Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications, and type and affix labels.
  • Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
  • Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
  • Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
  • Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
  • Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.

We asked Pharmacy Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

59%

How meaningful is this job

68%


59% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 68% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Pharmacy Technicians answer telephones, responding to questions or requests. They receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.

A typical day for a Pharmacy Technician will also include:

  • Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications, and type and affix labels.
  • Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
  • Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
  • Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
  • Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.

We asked some Pharmacy Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 95% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 62% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 91% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 63% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 26% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 61% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Pharmacy Technicians also maintain and merchandise home healthcare products or services. They may also price stock and mark items for sale.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Pharmacy Technicians Restock intravenous (IV) supplies and add measured drugs or nutrients to IV solutions under sterile conditions to prepare IV packs for various uses, such as chemotherapy medication. They might also Deliver medications or pharmaceutical supplies to patients, nursing stations, or surgery.

In addition, they Mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in computer.

To some Pharmacy Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.


Working life

Working hours

Less than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Pharmacy Technician, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Do Pharmacy Technicians work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
88%


Never
8%


Do Pharmacy Technicians work outdoors?

Never
92%


Every day
4%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Organizers and The Builders

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Pharmacy Technicians

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Related to Pharmacy Technicians Job Description

Pharmacy Technicians job description, what do Pharmacy Technicians do, typical day for Pharmacy Technicians, what is it like to work as a Pharmacy Technician, how many hours do Pharmacy Technicians work, day to day work of a Pharmacy Technician

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm
http://www.ashp.org/
http://www.nhanow.com/certifications/pharmacy-technician
http://www.ptcb.org/


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