3 answers
Emma
Student
Springdale, Oregon
3
Questions
Asked
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What's the work/life like as a pharmacy technician?
I'm at Job Corps entering the pharmacy tech field and I'm curious, once the work day is over does your job bleed into your private life? Are you on call? etc.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1593
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Emma as a pharmacy technician you'll work under the supervision of a pharmacist, you'll primarily be responsible for assisting with preparation, dispensing, and labeling of medications by accurately measuring, packaging, and recording prescription details, while also managing inventory, processing insurance claims, and providing basic customer service to patients in a pharmacy setting; additional tasks could include collecting patient information, filling prescriptions, checking for drug interactions, and maintaining accurate pharmacy records.
BENEFICIAL PHARMACY SKILLS
To do well in this role Emma, as a pharmacy technician having certain skills and qualities that contribute to the efficient operation of the pharmacy and enhance patient care is beneficial.
📝 ATTENTION TO DETAIL — Medications must be dispensed accurately to ensure patient safety. Pharmacy technicians must therefore be meticulous and detail oriented.
🗣️ CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS — As a pharmacy technician, you will be interacting with customers on a regular basis. Good customer service skills, including patience and empathy, are crucial.
💊 KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICATIONS — While you will learn a lot on the job, having a basic knowledge of common medications, their uses, and potential side effects is beneficial.
💻 TECHNOLOGY SKILLS —.Pharmacy technicians often use specialized computer programs to manage patient records and fill prescriptions. Comfort with technology and an ability to learn new software quickly is important.
🗣️ COMMUNICATION SKILLS — Pharmacy technicians need to communicate clearly and effectively with pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, and patients.
💪 PHYSICAL STAMINA — The job often involves standing for long periods, and possibly lifting heavy boxes of supplies or equipment.
🗃️ ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS — Managing inventory, keeping records, and multitasking are common tasks for pharmacy technicians, requiring good organizational skills.
🧩 PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES — When issues arise, such as a discrepancy in a prescription order, pharmacy technicians must be able to problem-solve effectively.
WORK LIFE BALANCE
Pharmacy technicians typically work full-time hours, around 40 hours per week. However, hours can vary depending on the setting, such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. Pharmacy technicians can choose where they practice, which can give them more control over their schedule. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, but technicians can choose the shift that works best for them. Part-time positions are also common. Achieving work-life balance requires proactive efforts and a commitment to self-care. Pharmacy technicians can prioritize personal well-being to sustain their careers while maintaining their health and happiness. It's important to find a job that fits your schedule. When looking for a pharmacy technician job, make sure to clarify the hours that your new employer will expect you to work.
BENEFICIAL PHARMACY SKILLS
To do well in this role Emma, as a pharmacy technician having certain skills and qualities that contribute to the efficient operation of the pharmacy and enhance patient care is beneficial.
📝 ATTENTION TO DETAIL — Medications must be dispensed accurately to ensure patient safety. Pharmacy technicians must therefore be meticulous and detail oriented.
🗣️ CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS — As a pharmacy technician, you will be interacting with customers on a regular basis. Good customer service skills, including patience and empathy, are crucial.
💊 KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICATIONS — While you will learn a lot on the job, having a basic knowledge of common medications, their uses, and potential side effects is beneficial.
💻 TECHNOLOGY SKILLS —.Pharmacy technicians often use specialized computer programs to manage patient records and fill prescriptions. Comfort with technology and an ability to learn new software quickly is important.
🗣️ COMMUNICATION SKILLS — Pharmacy technicians need to communicate clearly and effectively with pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, and patients.
💪 PHYSICAL STAMINA — The job often involves standing for long periods, and possibly lifting heavy boxes of supplies or equipment.
🗃️ ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS — Managing inventory, keeping records, and multitasking are common tasks for pharmacy technicians, requiring good organizational skills.
🧩 PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES — When issues arise, such as a discrepancy in a prescription order, pharmacy technicians must be able to problem-solve effectively.
WORK LIFE BALANCE
Pharmacy technicians typically work full-time hours, around 40 hours per week. However, hours can vary depending on the setting, such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. Pharmacy technicians can choose where they practice, which can give them more control over their schedule. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, but technicians can choose the shift that works best for them. Part-time positions are also common. Achieving work-life balance requires proactive efforts and a commitment to self-care. Pharmacy technicians can prioritize personal well-being to sustain their careers while maintaining their health and happiness. It's important to find a job that fits your schedule. When looking for a pharmacy technician job, make sure to clarify the hours that your new employer will expect you to work.
Michael Trocchia
Supply Chain Director
72
Answers
Mine Hill Township, New Jersey
Updated
Michael’s Answer
A Pharmacy technician job is usually a paid-by-the-hour role in a retail pharmacy or hospital. The technician isn't usually on call because a pharmacist must always oversee the operations. In case of emergencies outside regular hours, it's the pharmacist, not the pharmacy technician, who is on call.
Gabriela Marie Ramos
Pharmacy Technician
4
Answers
Nogales, Arizona
Updated
Gabriela Marie’s Answer
Hi Emma,
I have been a pharmacy technician for 20 years, and it is a very rewarding job. I have worked 20 years in the hospital setting. Our pharmacy is quite small, only the pharmacist and myself. For the most part the Pharmacist is on call. We only work Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. Sometimes we do stay a little over-time depending on the day. For the most part as a technician it is 40 hours a week. Within the twenty years I have done a little bit of Retail pharmacy like Walgreens, and the work is also 8 hours. Nothing on call as a technician only Pharmacist. If you do consider being a pharmacy technician you should also do an associates program or some type of training program because it can help you set-up for future technician roles. You can do an externship and see if you like Pharmacy or even volunteer. I did volunteer work in a hospital prior to becoming a pharmacy technician and I liked the pharmacy tech position more than the role of a pharmacist. Enjoy exploring all your options. Thank-you.
I have been a pharmacy technician for 20 years, and it is a very rewarding job. I have worked 20 years in the hospital setting. Our pharmacy is quite small, only the pharmacist and myself. For the most part the Pharmacist is on call. We only work Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. Sometimes we do stay a little over-time depending on the day. For the most part as a technician it is 40 hours a week. Within the twenty years I have done a little bit of Retail pharmacy like Walgreens, and the work is also 8 hours. Nothing on call as a technician only Pharmacist. If you do consider being a pharmacy technician you should also do an associates program or some type of training program because it can help you set-up for future technician roles. You can do an externship and see if you like Pharmacy or even volunteer. I did volunteer work in a hospital prior to becoming a pharmacy technician and I liked the pharmacy tech position more than the role of a pharmacist. Enjoy exploring all your options. Thank-you.