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4 answers
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Doc’s Answer
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS JOB DESCRIPTION AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Dezire 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.
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 1-2 years. In these programs, students become familiar with medications, pharmacy procedures, pharmaceutical terminology and pharmacy law. 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.
About 70% of pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies. These can be national chain stores such as Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. These locations usually offer the pharmacy technician flexible hours and work days. Many are open on weekends and some are open 24 hours. The day shift is often very fast paced, but the graveyard shift is usually very slow. Schedules may vary from week to week. In most cases, the technician’s weekly schedule will have a combination of day, night and weekend shifts. Most hospitals prefer certified pharmacy technicians. Teaching hospitals may offer training programs which prepare technicians for certification. In a hospital setting pharmacy technicians spend most of their time preparing prescriptions. The difference between a hospital pharmacy tech and one in a retail pharmacy is that the hospital pharmacy technician will prepare prescribed medications in single doses. They may also fill syringes or prepare IV solutions.
The average salary for Pharmacy Technician at companies like CVS in the United States is $36,500 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $32,250 and $40,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. The number of jobs for pharmacy technicians were expected to increase by 7% from 2018-2028, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
A DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE
The pharmacist degree requirement is to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (often called a Pharm.D.). A Pharm.D. is a professional degree that typically takes 4 years to complete after you've earned your bachelor's degree. After you've graduated with a Pharm.D. degree, aspiring pharmacists must pass two exams. The Multi-state Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam covers pharmacy law, and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam tests the graduate's knowledge and skills in the field.
An aging population and rising rates of chronic diseases are expected to contribute to a growth in jobs in the pharmacy field. Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS projects a growth rate of 6%. The average Pharmacist salary in the United States is $132,000 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $124,500 and $146,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Hope this was helpful Dezire
Dezire 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.
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 1-2 years. In these programs, students become familiar with medications, pharmacy procedures, pharmaceutical terminology and pharmacy law. 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.
About 70% of pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies. These can be national chain stores such as Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. These locations usually offer the pharmacy technician flexible hours and work days. Many are open on weekends and some are open 24 hours. The day shift is often very fast paced, but the graveyard shift is usually very slow. Schedules may vary from week to week. In most cases, the technician’s weekly schedule will have a combination of day, night and weekend shifts. Most hospitals prefer certified pharmacy technicians. Teaching hospitals may offer training programs which prepare technicians for certification. In a hospital setting pharmacy technicians spend most of their time preparing prescriptions. The difference between a hospital pharmacy tech and one in a retail pharmacy is that the hospital pharmacy technician will prepare prescribed medications in single doses. They may also fill syringes or prepare IV solutions.
The average salary for Pharmacy Technician at companies like CVS in the United States is $36,500 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $32,250 and $40,500. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. The number of jobs for pharmacy technicians were expected to increase by 7% from 2018-2028, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
A DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE
The pharmacist degree requirement is to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (often called a Pharm.D.). A Pharm.D. is a professional degree that typically takes 4 years to complete after you've earned your bachelor's degree. After you've graduated with a Pharm.D. degree, aspiring pharmacists must pass two exams. The Multi-state Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam covers pharmacy law, and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam tests the graduate's knowledge and skills in the field.
An aging population and rising rates of chronic diseases are expected to contribute to a growth in jobs in the pharmacy field. Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS projects a growth rate of 6%. The average Pharmacist salary in the United States is $132,000 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $124,500 and $146,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Hope this was helpful Dezire
Updated
Michael’s Answer
HI,
Pharm Techs are people who work at Cvs. It's a good job where you can make a decent living and money.
You need to get your Pharmacy degree and you can easily do this job.
Pharm Techs are people who work at Cvs. It's a good job where you can make a decent living and money.
You need to get your Pharmacy degree and you can easily do this job.
Updated
Dinah’s Answer
A pharmacy technician works closely with a pharmacist to make sure patients are healthy and dispensed the correct medication. Pharmacy technicians are the right hand of the pharmacist and without pharmacy technicians the pharmacy will not function properly. Common tasks and duties include:
𝥷Preparing new prescription and refill requests for patients
𝥷Dispensing medication to patients per the prescription, or provider’s orders
𝥷Packing and labeling a prescribed medication
𝥷Processing insurance claims
𝥷Tracking inventory
𝥷Preparing compounded medications using sterile and non-sterile processes
𝥷Filling automated dispensing machines
𝥷Repackaging of bulk medications
𝥷Preparing new prescription and refill requests for patients
𝥷Dispensing medication to patients per the prescription, or provider’s orders
𝥷Packing and labeling a prescribed medication
𝥷Processing insurance claims
𝥷Tracking inventory
𝥷Preparing compounded medications using sterile and non-sterile processes
𝥷Filling automated dispensing machines
𝥷Repackaging of bulk medications
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Dezire:
Pharmacy Technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They mainly work in retail pharmacies and hospitals (ie, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, some grocery stores, etc).
DUTIES OF A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
• Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
• Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
• Package and label prescriptions
• Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
• Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
• Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
• Answer phone calls from customers
• Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters
HOW TO BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Pharmacy technicians usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a post-secondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders.
Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other medical facilities prepare a greater variety of medications, such as intravenous medications. They may make rounds in the hospital, giving medications to patients.
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2
Pharmacy Technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They mainly work in retail pharmacies and hospitals (ie, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, some grocery stores, etc).
DUTIES OF A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
• Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
• Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
• Package and label prescriptions
• Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
• Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
• Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
• Answer phone calls from customers
• Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters
HOW TO BECOME A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Pharmacy technicians usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a post-secondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix some medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders.
Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other medical facilities prepare a greater variety of medications, such as intravenous medications. They may make rounds in the hospital, giving medications to patients.
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps: