What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?
Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and are responsible for dispensing medications. They must always direct patient questions about health or prescription medications to a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians' duties include filling prescriptions and interacting with patients. In order to fill a prescription request, they might count, measure, weigh, pour or mix the medication. After a pharmacist has verified and validated a prescription, technicians choose a container and prepare and affix the label. Other duties pharmacy technicians can be responsible for include completing insurance claim forms, stocking inventory and maintaining patient profiles. Pharmacy techs often spend many work hours standing, and some may work weekends and nights. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, in May 2019, a median annual salary of $33,950 for pharmacy technicians. The field should expect 4% growth from 2019-2029, which is average for jobs across the United States.
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Pharmacy Technicians: Education & Salary
| Degree Level | High school diploma; certificate or associate degree preferred |
| Degree Field | Pharmacy technology |
| Training | On-the-job training often available |
| Licensure/Certification | Varies by state but often required |
| Key Skills | Customer service, organizational, listening, and math skills; attention to detail; ability to use automatic bottle filling machines and label-making software |
| Salary | $33,950 (2019 median salary for all pharmacy technicians) |
| Job Outlook | 4% growth from 2019-2029 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET OnLine
There are several pharmacy technician qualifications that you will need to be aware of. To become a pharmacy technician, you will need a high school diploma and should consider formal training resulting in a certificate and associate's degree, which is preferred by some employers. Many technicians learn through on-the-job training and most states have regulations for pharmacy technicians, which may result in a license, while some states and employers require certification. You'll also need customer service, organizational, listening and math skills, attention to detail and the ability to use automatic bottle filling machines and label-making software.
Steps to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
In order to learn how to be a pharmacy tech, you will need to follow several steps. Read on to learn more about becoming a pharmacy tech.
Step 1: Complete a Pharmacy Technician Program
There are no formal education requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician beyond a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer job applicants who have completed a formal training program. Pharmacy technician programs can be found at community colleges and vocational schools. Programs generally award a certificate or associate's degree and can last between one and two years. In these programs, students become familiar with medications, pharmacy procedures, pharmaceutical terminology and pharmacy law. One kind of degree that pharmacy technicians can get is an Associate of Pharmacy Technology. The degree typically takes two years and involves courses like:
- Medical law and ethics
- Human anatomy
- Pharmacy mathematics
- Medical terminology
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Some of these degrees are offered online and can be completed based on your own schedule. When looking into these programs, make sure that an online program does not have any required laboratory time or other on-campus requirements if you are not able to work on campus. Consider your own needs when planning your pharmacy technician education pathway.
Success Tip
Participate in an internship. An internship may be part of a pharmacy technician program or available after an individual has completed their educational requirements. Interns are able to work and learn under the supervision of a professional pharmacy technician and gain valuable experience in the field. This is also a chance for individuals to learn about dosage, names and actions of different medications, and other essential information.
Step 2: Learn State Requirements for Pharmacy Techs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many states have regulations for pharmacy technicians. This could include the number of formal training and continuing education hours required, exams and fees. Depending on a state's regulatory laws, pharmacy technicians may be recognized with a license after passing an exam. Prospective technicians should check with their state's Board of Pharmacy to determine what's necessary to pursue employment and be certain that they have fulfilled all relevant pharmacy tech requirements.
Step 3: Earn Your CPhT Certification
Although not all states and employers require pharmacy technicians to be certified, voluntary certification may be helpful when seeking employment. Two organizations that offer certification examinations are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both organizations offer the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation. Eligibility requirements for the CPhT exam include a high school diploma and, in the case of the NHA, completion of a pharmacy technician training program or at least one year of experience in the field. To maintain certification, both organizations require 2-year period.
To become a pharmacy technician, you should consider completing a pharmacy tech program, become familiar with your state's requirements for this position and consider certification.
Major Employers of Pharmacy Technicians
Now that you are familiar with how to become a pharmacy tech, think about the major employers that you might work for as a pharmacy technician. There are many pharmaceutical companies that employ pharmacy technicians, including but not limited to:
- CVS Health
- Walgreens Boots Alliance
- Humana Pharmacy Solutions
- Cigna/Express Scripts, Inc.
- The Kroger Company
- UnitedHealth Group
- Rite Aid Corporation
