Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Dr Bucho
Overview
Duties of A Pharmacist Technician: By helping pharmacists dispense prescriptions and giving patients crucial information, pharmacy techs play a crucial part in the healthcare sector. They are an essential member of the healthcare team because they guarantee that patients receive their drugs in a safe and effective manner. This post is for you if you’re thinking about a career in healthcare and want to learn more about becoming a pharmacy technician. Here, we’ll examine what pharmacy technician is, their background, and the many duties they carry out. We’ll also talk about how to apply for pharmacy technician jobs successfully and what you need to know to do so.
What is a Pharmacist Technician?
A Pharmacist technician is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They assist with the dispensing of medications and provide important information to patients about their medications, including how to take them and what side effects they may experience. Pharmacist technicians are trained to accurately measure, mix, and dispense medications, and they also help maintain the pharmacy’s inventory.
History of a Pharmacist technician
They are frequently confused with pharmacists because this occupation emerged as a result of Saudi Arabia’s shortage of pharmacists in 1990. But Root history evolved back then in the 1940s, When pharmacists first began hiring helpers to assist them with the dispensing of pharmaceuticals the history of pharmacy technicians began to emerge. As the healthcare sector evolved, there was a rising demand for workers in these professions because pharmacists needed more and more support from educated experts. Today, pharmacy technicians are a vital member of the healthcare team and they are crucial in making sure that patients are given the right medications in a safe and effective manner.
What Does a Pharmacist Technician Do?
Role of a Pharmacist Technician
A pharmacist technician’s job is to help the pharmacist dispense medications and give patients crucial information. They are in charge of managing the pharmacy’s stock as well as precisely measuring, blending, and dispensing pharmaceuticals. Additionally, pharmacy technicians assist patients with queries about their drugs and give them crucial information about side effects and other critical information.
The job of a Pharmacist Technician
A pharmacy technician can be found working in a range of places, such as long-term care institutions, hospitals, and retail pharmacies. Depending on the demands of their employer, they often work full-time, with hours that may include evenings, weekends, and even holidays. Pharmacy technicians need to be accurate and productive workers who also thrive at customer service and communication.
How to be a Pharmacist Technician?
You need to obtain a high school diploma or the equivalent and complete a training program to become a pharmacy technician. Check the criteria in your state since some mandate that pharmacy technicians hold certifications. Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and the laws and regulations pertaining to the administration of pharmaceuticals are just a few of the topics covered in training programs that normally last between six months and a year to complete.
After completing your training course, you can apply to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board for certification (PTCB). Your chances of landing a job and moving forward in your career will rise if you pass the exam and become a certified pharmacy technician.
How To Apply For A pharmacist Programme?
The first step in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician is to learn about and comprehend the entry requirements for pharmacy technician schools. These courses are often provided at the associate’s or certificate level, and they can call for a high school diploma or something comparable.
You will need to fill out an application, send your transcripts, and perhaps take a placement test in order to be considered for a pharmacy technician program. By reading journals and other resources, it is essential to stay current with the most recent news and alerts in the industry. Additionally, you might apply for scholarships to aid in financing your education.
10 key Duties or responsibilities of a Pharmacist Technician
1. Accurate medication measurement and dispensing
Pharmacist technicians are in charge of precisely measuring and dispensing drugs in accordance with the prescribing physician’s instructions. An excellent command of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical jargon are necessary for this.
2. Maintaining the pharmacy’s inventory
Maintaining the pharmacy’s inventory requires pharmacist technicians to maintain track of it and make sure it is well-stocked and organized. This includes placing fresh pharmaceutical orders, monitoring expiration dates, and removing out-of-date drugs from the pharmacy’s stock.
3. Answering patients’ questions about their medications
The education of patients about their medications, including side effects and other crucial information, is a major responsibility of pharmacist technicians. They must be able to answer patients’ queries in a competent and professional manner, and they must be able to clearly and concisely convey difficult facts.
4. Providing important information to patients
Pharmacist technicians are required to be knowledgeable about the medications they are distributing and to be able to educate patients of critical information such as adverse effects and proper dosage. Additionally, they must be prepared to describe any possible drug interactions and contraindications.
5. Assisting the pharmacist with preparing prescriptions
Pharmacy technicians help the pharmacist prepare prescriptions by counting and labeling drugs, among other tasks. The prescription must be correctly labeled, and they must make sure the right medication is given out.
6. Keeping accurate records of all medications dispensed
Pharmacist technicians are in charge of maintaining correct records of all drugs prescribed, including the drug’s name, dosage, and date of the prescription. For tracking medication errors and ensuring patient safety, this information is essential.
7. Checking for drug interactions and contraindications
The ability to recognize and comprehend potential drug interactions and contraindications is a must for pharmacist technicians. If a medicine shouldn’t be taken with another medication or if there are any possible hazards, they must be able to inform the patient and the pharmacist.
8. Keeping up-to-date with changes in medication laws and regulations
The laws and rules governing the prescription of pharmaceuticals, including prescription drug monitoring programs and controlled substance laws, must be understood by pharmacy technicians. To maintain compliance, they must also stay current on changes to these laws and rules.
9. Monitoring medication expiration dates
The ability to identify, keep track of, and discard expired pharmaceuticals from the pharmacy’s stock is a requirement for pharmacist technicians. To guarantee that patients are receiving effective and recent drugs, this is crucial.
10. Maintaining a clean and organized work area
Pharmacist technicians are required to keep their workspace neat and tidy, which includes making sure that all equipment is clean and clear of clutter and trash. This promotes a productive and secure work environment for both staff members and patients
Conclusion
In the healthcare sector, pharmacist technicians are essential since they support pharmacists in their work and guarantee that patients receive their prescriptions in a safe and effective manner. These experts need to be informed, well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to function effectively under time constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Is Pharm Tech hard?
Pharmacy technician work is not simple. Being in this line of work comes with a lot of obligations, but they are all essential components of the job description. But it is not that hard that a person cant do, it takes a little time to fit into the profession.
How can I pass pharmacy technician?
You can apply to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board for certification upon the completion of your training program (PTCB).
How To quit Pharmacy technician job?
For most people, this profession may be aspiring, and a great carrier choice as if you want to change the profession you can do it. as long as your plans are ready before taking any decisions