6 answers
Emma
Student
Springdale, Oregon
3
Questions
Asked
428 views
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.
Login to comment
6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1595
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.
Emily Marjama
Pharmacy technician
7
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hello Emma,
I have been a part of the healthcare industry for around ten years now, and for the past three, I've been working as a pharmacy technician. I can honestly say that it's been a uniquely rewarding experience, compared to my other roles in healthcare. I've primarily worked in outpatient and retail pharmacy, although I do have friends in in-patient roles who seem to enjoy their work. One of the perks of our job is that once we're done for the day, we can leave work behind. Although there are roles that require on-call duties or weekend shifts, most pharmacy positions don't require this unless you're a pharmacist.
A big part of our job involves direct communication with patients. We answer their questions about insurance, update their medication lists, and fill prescriptions. Depending on the specific pharmacy or role, you might also get to:
1. Use Point of Sale (POS) systems to sell medications, both prescription and over-the-counter
2. Manage the pharmacy inventory, ordering prescriptions from various suppliers like McKesson
3. Compound medications - this can be sterile or non-sterile, and the medications can range from IV antibiotics to insulin for a pump, cardiac medication, and even TPN (Total-parenteral Nutrition) for patients who can't get enough nutrients orally
4. Speak directly with insurance companies to resolve any claims review for patient prescriptions
Being a pharmacy technician requires a wide range of skills, but don't let that intimidate you. It's a fun and fulfilling job that sets you up for further growth in almost any healthcare field.
I have been a part of the healthcare industry for around ten years now, and for the past three, I've been working as a pharmacy technician. I can honestly say that it's been a uniquely rewarding experience, compared to my other roles in healthcare. I've primarily worked in outpatient and retail pharmacy, although I do have friends in in-patient roles who seem to enjoy their work. One of the perks of our job is that once we're done for the day, we can leave work behind. Although there are roles that require on-call duties or weekend shifts, most pharmacy positions don't require this unless you're a pharmacist.
A big part of our job involves direct communication with patients. We answer their questions about insurance, update their medication lists, and fill prescriptions. Depending on the specific pharmacy or role, you might also get to:
1. Use Point of Sale (POS) systems to sell medications, both prescription and over-the-counter
2. Manage the pharmacy inventory, ordering prescriptions from various suppliers like McKesson
3. Compound medications - this can be sterile or non-sterile, and the medications can range from IV antibiotics to insulin for a pump, cardiac medication, and even TPN (Total-parenteral Nutrition) for patients who can't get enough nutrients orally
4. Speak directly with insurance companies to resolve any claims review for patient prescriptions
Being a pharmacy technician requires a wide range of skills, but don't let that intimidate you. It's a fun and fulfilling job that sets you up for further growth in almost any healthcare field.
Dianna Soto
Non Sterile Pharmacy Technician
16
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Dianna’s Answer
Hi Emma,
Retail and being on call is not fun for everyone. Look into compounding pharmacy’s or, long term care for a more stable set of hours. You can always ask for different hours when you have appointments and other plans. Just make sure to speak to your supervisor for those days; it helps to reserve more pto hours when possible.
Retail and being on call is not fun for everyone. Look into compounding pharmacy’s or, long term care for a more stable set of hours. You can always ask for different hours when you have appointments and other plans. Just make sure to speak to your supervisor for those days; it helps to reserve more pto hours when possible.
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.
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.
Iryna Tam
Writer, copywriter
73
Answers
Hagerstown, Maryland
Updated
Iryna’s Answer
Hi Emma!
The work-life balance for pharmacists can vary depending on the specific job setting (retail pharmacy, hospital, clinical, research, etc.), work hours, and personal circumstances. Here’s a detailed overview of what to expect regarding the work-life dynamics of a pharmacist:
Work Environment and Responsibilities
Types of Pharmacy Settings:
Community Pharmacy: Retail settings (like Walgreens or CVS) where pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and manage inventory.
Hospital Pharmacy: Involves working directly with healthcare teams to provide medications to inpatients and outpatients, often requiring more clinical interactions.
Clinical Pharmacy: Involves working in healthcare settings, focusing on direct patient care, medication management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Industry and Research: Pharmacists may work in pharmaceutical companies or research facilities, focusing on drug development, regulatory affairs, or clinical trials.
Typical Work Hours:
Retail Pharmacists: Often work shifts that can include evenings, weekends, and holidays, as retail pharmacies typically have extended hours.
Hospital Pharmacists: May work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, particularly in critical care settings.
Clinical and Research Pharmacists: Generally have more standard hours but may still require some flexibility depending on patient needs or project deadlines.
Responsibilities: Dispensing medications, providing patient counseling, managing pharmacy operations, conducting medication therapy management, and collaborating with healthcare providers.
Impact on Personal Life
On-Call Duties: Most pharmacists in retail settings do not have on-call requirements, but this can vary based on specific pharmacies or hospital roles.
Hospital pharmacists may have on-call responsibilities, especially in critical care or emergency departments, which can affect personal time if contacted after hours.
Work-related Stress: The job can be demanding due to high responsibilities, especially in managing patient safety and ensuring accurate medication dispensing. This stress can carry over into personal life if not managed effectively.
Shifts and Scheduled Hours: Irregular hours in retail settings can impact social events and family time. If you are scheduled to work evenings or weekends, you may miss out on some activities.
Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance varies significantly: community pharmacists may have a busier schedule with variable shifts, while hospital pharmacists might have more stable shifts but could also work longer hours during peak times.
Strategies for Managing Work-Life Balance
Prioritize Self-Care: It’s essential to find ways to decompress and manage stress, whether through hobbies, exercise, or time with family and friends.
Set Boundaries: When possible, establish clear boundaries between work and personal time, especially regarding work-related communications outside of your shift.
Schedule Time Off: Taking scheduled vacations or time off can help recharge your batteries and improve overall job satisfaction.
Utilize Flexible Hours: If your employer offers any flexibility in scheduling, consider utilizing it to better align your work hours with personal commitments.
Overall, the work-life balance for pharmacists can be a mixed experience, with both challenges and opportunities for rewarding personal life. Factors like work setting, schedule, and job responsibilities significantly influence how work impacts personal time. Understanding these dynamics and implementing strategies for balance can help you manage both your career ambition in the pharmaceutical field and your personal life effectively. Good luck as you pursue your career in pharmacy!
The work-life balance for pharmacists can vary depending on the specific job setting (retail pharmacy, hospital, clinical, research, etc.), work hours, and personal circumstances. Here’s a detailed overview of what to expect regarding the work-life dynamics of a pharmacist:
Work Environment and Responsibilities
Types of Pharmacy Settings:
Community Pharmacy: Retail settings (like Walgreens or CVS) where pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and manage inventory.
Hospital Pharmacy: Involves working directly with healthcare teams to provide medications to inpatients and outpatients, often requiring more clinical interactions.
Clinical Pharmacy: Involves working in healthcare settings, focusing on direct patient care, medication management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Industry and Research: Pharmacists may work in pharmaceutical companies or research facilities, focusing on drug development, regulatory affairs, or clinical trials.
Typical Work Hours:
Retail Pharmacists: Often work shifts that can include evenings, weekends, and holidays, as retail pharmacies typically have extended hours.
Hospital Pharmacists: May work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, particularly in critical care settings.
Clinical and Research Pharmacists: Generally have more standard hours but may still require some flexibility depending on patient needs or project deadlines.
Responsibilities: Dispensing medications, providing patient counseling, managing pharmacy operations, conducting medication therapy management, and collaborating with healthcare providers.
Impact on Personal Life
On-Call Duties: Most pharmacists in retail settings do not have on-call requirements, but this can vary based on specific pharmacies or hospital roles.
Hospital pharmacists may have on-call responsibilities, especially in critical care or emergency departments, which can affect personal time if contacted after hours.
Work-related Stress: The job can be demanding due to high responsibilities, especially in managing patient safety and ensuring accurate medication dispensing. This stress can carry over into personal life if not managed effectively.
Shifts and Scheduled Hours: Irregular hours in retail settings can impact social events and family time. If you are scheduled to work evenings or weekends, you may miss out on some activities.
Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance varies significantly: community pharmacists may have a busier schedule with variable shifts, while hospital pharmacists might have more stable shifts but could also work longer hours during peak times.
Strategies for Managing Work-Life Balance
Prioritize Self-Care: It’s essential to find ways to decompress and manage stress, whether through hobbies, exercise, or time with family and friends.
Set Boundaries: When possible, establish clear boundaries between work and personal time, especially regarding work-related communications outside of your shift.
Schedule Time Off: Taking scheduled vacations or time off can help recharge your batteries and improve overall job satisfaction.
Utilize Flexible Hours: If your employer offers any flexibility in scheduling, consider utilizing it to better align your work hours with personal commitments.
Overall, the work-life balance for pharmacists can be a mixed experience, with both challenges and opportunities for rewarding personal life. Factors like work setting, schedule, and job responsibilities significantly influence how work impacts personal time. Understanding these dynamics and implementing strategies for balance can help you manage both your career ambition in the pharmaceutical field and your personal life effectively. Good luck as you pursue your career in pharmacy!