Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They work in retail pharmacies and hospitals.
Duties
Pharmacy technicians typically do the following:
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
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.