Requirements of a Pharmacist Tech
- Newly hired pharmacy techs receive on-the-job training.Jean-Claude Winkler/Digital Vision/Getty Images
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for pharmacist technicians, commonly called pharmacy techs, is expected to increase 25 percent from 2008 to 2018. Although there are no formal post-secondary educational requirements to become a pharmacy tech, one must have at least a high school diploma. However, there are formal post-secondary programs for individuals interested in gaining formal educational experience and an edge in the employment market. - Pharmacy technicians, working under the supervision of licensed pharmacists, are responsible for filling prescriptions for patients. The techs receive prescriptions either from customers or electronically from doctors. When preparing prescriptions, techs obtain the correct medication, then count tablets or measure liquid to arrive at the correct amount of doses. Preparing and affixing prescription labels is another responsibility for pharmacy techs. Before they can give the medication to the customers, the filled prescriptions must be checked by the supervising licensed pharmacists.
- At pharmacies in which there are no pharmacy aides, pharmacy techs are responsible for administrative duties. These duties typically include answering phones, ordering supplies and stocking shelves. Besides filling prescriptions, pharmacy techs are responsible for operating the cash machine. This means that techs take money from customers buying their prescriptions. However, tech always refer customers who ask questions about specific medications, prescriptions or health to their supervising pharmacists. Pharmacy techs aren't allowed to advise or answer patients' health and prescription questions. In addition, techs are responsible for completing insurance claim forms. Also, they may create and maintain customers' files. They must update billing information, including patients' health insurance. Another duty for pharmacy techs is keeping equipment clean and well-maintained.
- Pharmacy techs who don't work at area pharmacies have may have additional duties. For instance, techs working at health care facilities -- such as assisted-living homes, hospitals or nursing homes -- are responsible for preparing medications and sterile solutions. They must deliver the medications and sterile solutions to doctors and nurses. Techs also keep a record of prescribed medications and enter the information into patients' files. Pharmacy techs working in mail-order or retail pharmacies in grocery stores have various responsibilities depending on state rules and regulations.
