You definitely won’t be confined to a desk if you work as a pharmacy technician. In fact, people fill pharmacy tech jobs at pharmacies located in grocery stores, hospitals, general merchandise stores, and department stores. Regarding work responsibilities, think broadly when you consider what do pharmacy technicians do.
Qualities of A Great Pharmacy Technician
Millions of Americans depend on prescribed medications to eliminate and manage diseases, injuries, and illnesses. To receive their medications, these people typically are assisted by a pharmacy technician. People who work pharmacy technician jobs help licensed pharmacists with a number of tasks including filling customer prescriptions, processing insurance claims, and updating patient records.
Pharmacy Technician Jobs Responsibilities
Listening, communication and decision making skills are important when working as a pharmacy technician. So too is patience and strong customer service skills, as a pharmacy technician’s work environment can become fast-paced. A lot of the work that the technicians perform puts these workers in direct contact with the general public.
For example, pharmacy technicians may screen prescription orders, measure medications, maintain patient records, and label prescriptions. The following are other responsibilities specific to what do pharmacy technicians do:
- Package prescriptions
- Process insurance claims
- Answer customer inquiries
- Take stock of inventory
- Conduct medication reconciliation
What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?
Depending on their employer, pharmacy technicians may also assist with investigational drug studies, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 1 Regarding how to become a pharmacy technician, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics shares that on-the-job or classroom training is usually required. 2
So too is a high school diploma or equivalent. In Michigan, the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs requires pharmacy technicians to get licensed in order to obtain gainful employment. 3 In addition to passing an exam, to work as a pharmacy technician in Michigan, adults must submit an application to the licensing and regulatory department, pass a background investigation, and earn a diploma from an accredited high school or earn a GED.
The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is good. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Pharmacy Technicians is projected to grow by 12% from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations.2 In addition, according to the State of Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow by 8.5% from 2014 to 2024.5
Dorsey Schools Pharmacy Technician Program
At Dorsey Schools, we are ready to connect with you and answer your questions about how our pharmacy technician diploma program could help you to gain the education and skills that are generally required of pharmacy technicians. Important areas covered during the training include pharmacy operations, basic pharmacy practices and medication preparations.
Michigan campus locations where the Dorsey Schools pharmacy technician program is taught are Roseville, MI; Saginaw, MI; Southgate,MI; and Wayne, MI. An externship is built into the last module of this training program. Upon graduation from this program, students will have the opportunity to challenge a national pharmacy technician certification exam. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced admissions representatives.
Let us help support your Pharmacy Technician training goals. Call us at 1-888-422-1188 to learn how our experienced team can help provide you with important pharmacy technician training, knowledge and skills.
Pharmacy Technician Program – Gainful Employment Disclosures
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other important information, please click here.
Resources:
- http://www.ashp.org/menu/PracticePolicy/ResourceCenters/Pharmacy-Technicians/About-Technicians
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacy Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm (visited November 1, 2017).
- http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Pharmacy_Technician_FAQ_080515_496214_7.pdf
- http://milmi.org/Portals/137/publications/Michigan_and_U.S._OES_2015.xls
- Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Long-Term Occupational Employment Projections (2014-2024) Michigan Statewide, Pharmacy Technicians (SOC Code: 29-2052), http://milmi.mt.gov/Portals/137/publications/projectionsdata/LongTerm_OccupationalProj_2024_MI.xlsx (visited February 15, 2016).
- https://www.dorsey.edu/pharmacy-technician/
