|
Program Length
The Pharmacy Technician course is a one-semester, four-credit
course that meets one evening per week. Completion of MATH 050
with at least a 2.0 grade, or attainment of math level 4 is a
prerequisite. Completion of Pharmacology (AHCC 110) is
recommended.
Nature of Work
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide
medication and other healthcare products to patients.
Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare
prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets
and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions
regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters
to a pharmacist. Technicians receive written prescriptions or
requests for prescription refills from patients. They also may
receive prescriptions sent electronically from the doctor's
office. They must verify that the information on the
prescription is complete and accurate. To prepare the
prescription, technicians must retrieve, count, pour, weigh,
measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Then, they prepare
the prescription labels, select the type of prescription
container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to
the container. Once the prescription is filled, technicians
price and file the prescription, which must be checked by a
pharmacist before it is given to a patient. Technicians may
establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance
claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
In hospitals,
technicians have added responsibilities. They read patient
charts and prepare and deliver the medicine to patients. The
pharmacist must check the order before it is delivered to the
patient. The technician then copies the information about the
prescribed medication onto the patient's profile. Technicians
also may assemble a 24-hour supply of medicine for every
patient. They package and label each dose separately. The
package is then placed in the medicine cabinet of each patient
until the supervising pharmacist checks it for accuracy. It is
then given to the patient.
Employment Prospects
Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much
faster then the average for all occupations-36 percent or
more-through 2010 due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of
a larger and older population, and to the greater use of
medication.
Skills You Need
Successful pharmacy technicians are alert, observant,
organized, dedicated, and responsible. They should be willing
and able to take directions. They must enjoy precise
work-details are sometimes a matter of life and death.
Although a pharmacist must check and approve all their work,
they should be able to work on their own without constant
instruction from the pharmacist. Candidates interested in
becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have a prior record of
drug or substance abuse.
Strong interpersonal
and communication skills are needed because there is a lot of
interaction with patients, coworkers, and healthcare
professionals. Teamwork is very important because technicians
are often required to work with pharmacists, aides, and other
technicians.
Expected Earnings
Hourly earnings of pharmacy technicians in 2000 ranged from
$8.75 to $11.44. Certified technicians may earn more. Shift
differentials for working evenings or weekends also can
increase earnings.
| 
