Are you passionate about becoming a pharmacy technician in the US? Or are you planning to switch your career path to a pharmacy technician? Are you wondering, “How would it be working as a pharmacy technician?” If so, you are at the right place.
In this article, you will get more insight into working as a pharmacy technician, as well as the things you must know before you start your career as a pharmacy technician.
Working as a Pharmacy Technician: Insights
If you are someone who loves helping people, you should consider working as a pharmacy technician. Considering the growing senior population, not to mention the pandemic situation, the demand for pharmacy technicians is growing rapidly. It is not just the growing demand, but you also get the opportunity to gain experience that adds more value to your career.
Let’s now discuss what working as a pharmacy technician feels like and the tasks and duties performed as a pharmacy technician.
A Pharmacy Technician’s Job Schedule
If you are passionate about working as a pharmacy technician, one of the main things you need to be aware of is the work schedule of a pharmacy technician. A pharmacy technician’s work schedule depends on the place they work. Some of the most common work schedules of a pharmacy technician are:
- 9-5 SHIFT — If you choose to work in a clinic, you will be able to work a 9 am to 5 pm job schedule.
- WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY SHIFTS — Generally, Pharmacies are open on weekends and on holidays as well. Except for pharmacies in grocery stores, pharmacies don’t really close for weekends or on holidays as they play a vital role in the healthcare industry.
- NIGHT SHIFT — Most of the time dedicated pharmacies are open for 24 hours a day. If you choose to work in an inpatient pharmacy or hospital, you may have to work on a rotating shift basis.
- DAY SHIFT — Day shifts are generally from 9am to 5pm. If you choose to work in grocery or retail stores, like Target, that has a pharmacy attached, you will be able to work a day shift as a pharmacy technician.
A Pharmacy Technician’s Tasks and Duties
If you are someone who loves interacting with people, you can consider working as a pharmacy technician as the role majorly involves interaction with customers and patients. In addition to customer interactions, pharmacy technicians work with drugs and handle medications. They are also involved in other administrative tasks as well.
Some of the tasks pharmacy technicians handle are as follows:
- Measuring, mixing, and labeling medications.
- Filling prescriptions for patients.
- Keeping track of stock inventory.
- Ordering and restocking drugs.
- Updating medical records of patients.
- Answering phone calls and taking prescription orders.
- Understanding insurance billing procedures of patients.
- Data entry and updating the pharmacy’s database whenever new shipments or stocks arrive.
- Updating the pharmacist if there are shortages of drugs.
- Talking to patients and doctors over the phone to ask and answer questions.
- Processing payments for patients.
- Working with healthcare providers and insurance companies.
If you are passionate about working as a pharmacy technician, you are required to stay up-to-date with new medications and new softwares and technologies that are being used in the industry.
As a pharmacy technician, you need to be good at math and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
7 Things to Know Before You Start Work as a Pharmacy Tech
As a pharmacy technician, there are certain things you must know before you start working in any place in the US.
- Most pharmacies are open 24 hours a day. So, you will be expected to work day or night shifts, depending on the job you choose. The working hours for a pharmacy technician are irregular most of the time.
- There is a huge demand for pharmacy technicians in the US considering the current pandemic situation and the growing senior population in the state.
- Excellent communication skills and good attention to detail are very much required for a pharmacy technician to do their job properly.
- As a pharmacy technician, you must be very accurate in measuring and mixing drugs.
- Must be ready to do physical work, such as lifting heavy boxes with supplies and standing for long hours.
- Working as a pharmacy technician may help you gain the opportunity to become a pharmacist.
- As a pharmacy technician, you will get the opportunity to work in a variety of work settings.
Wrapping Up
As discussed above, working as a pharmacy technician adds more value to your future, and it is one of the industries to date with the highest demands. Starting your career path as a pharmacy technician offers you the opportunity to advance in your career with more certifications or become a pharmacist by meeting all the necessary requirements.
If you are passionate about taking the pharmacy technician exam, you can check our free practice test. Our free practice test can help you more efficiently prepare for the PTCB exam.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What skills should a pharmacy technician have?
Some of the skills a pharmacy technician must have are as follows:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
- Excellent mathematical proficiency.
- Multitasking abilities.
- Organizational skills.
- Computer skills.
- Good customer service skills.
You can check out our article about the Top 7 skills you need to be the best pharmacy technician to learn more about the skills required to be a pharmacy technician.
What are the disadvantages of being a pharmacy technician?
Just like every other profession, being a pharmacy technician has a few disadvantages as well. Some of the disadvantages are as follows:
- You need to complete the required qualification to become a pharmacy technician.
- Continuing education hours are required to renew your license and you need to renew your license once every few years.
- You need to earn a certification, or license, to be able to practice as a pharmacy technician.
- Long working hours, which also includes working during weekends and holidays.
Is being a pharmacy tech good for med school?
Gaining some experience as a pharmacy technician may help you in a good way when it comes to med school. It will help to show how experienced and knowledgeable you are with handling drugs and medications. But this may differ depending on the location and the school you choose.
