Job Description of a Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy tech’s job varies depending on the type of facility they work in. Pharmacy techs who work in hospitals perform different tasks than those who work in retail and mail order pharmacy. Pharmacy techs who work in hospitals, health care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities have additional tasks than those who work in other areas. In general, a pharmacy tech’s job is:

• Receiving prescription orders or refilling requests and verifying that the information given is complete and accurate
• Mixing medications according to doctor’s prescription
• Transferring medications from bottles or vials to a sterile container or a disposable syringe using aseptic techniques
• Counting, weighing, and measuring medications
• Accurately filling bottles with prescribed medications and labeling it properly
• Marking price and sorting prescriptions that have been filled.

These tasks are done under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. However, a pharmacy technician’s job is not only limited to pharmacy related tasks. A pharmacy technician’s job is also extended to non-medication related tasks, such as:

• Answering telephone calls
• Assisting customers and responding to their queries and requests
• Operating cash registers and accepting payment from customers
• Ensuring proper storage and maintenance of drugs
• Restocking shelves, labeling bottles and marking stock for sale
• Organizing files, lists and important patient data and storing it in the computer
• Preparing and processing medical insurance claim forms and records

Pharmacy technicians should have good customer service skills, as they will interact with different patients daily. Pharmacy technicians should be willing to take directions and at the same time work independently. Pharmacy technicians should be responsible, focused, and organized in order to provide optimum health care for patients.