Three Things You Must Know As a Pharmacy Tech

on February 22, 2024

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If you desire to help others, a career as a Pharmacy Technician might be a good decision for you.

Pharmacy technicians are certified professionals who play a vital role in assisting pharmacists across various settings, such as drug stores, grocery stores, hospitals, and warehouses.

Pharmacy technicians ensure the smooth and accurate functioning of operations within a pharmacy. During your pharmacy technician training, you will learn and acquire knowledge about this field.

Upon successful completion, you will receive a Pharmacy Technician certificate and be eligible to take the certification exams.

If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, you might need to know the top 3 things to become a successful pharm tech.

Let’s explore them.

Understanding the Legal Landscape of Pharmacy

A solid understanding of pharmacy law is essential for completing a pharmacy technician program and becoming an effective team member in the pharmaceutical industry.

The training generally covers laws governing dispensation, regulation, and operations specific to your jurisdiction.

You will learn how to handle medications in compliance with legal requirements, including identifying customers and respecting medical consumer privacy laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).

Pursuing a career in pharmacy will also make you learn about the ethics of pharmacy and their appropriate application.

Mastering Medication Dispensing

Medication dispensing is a core responsibility of a Pharmacy Technician. In your training period, you will get to know about the various aspects of medication identification, preparation, and labeling.

You will also become proficient in recognizing medications not only by their brand but by their generic names too.

Learning compounding and mixing techniques will be an integral aspect of your education, enabling you to accurately calculate dosages and solution strengths using various measurement systems and techniques.

Thoroughly sorting and counting medications will also be crucial to your role. But don’t worry, enough practice will be provided during the training period.

A Pharmacy Technician ensures that medicines are accurately labeled, and stocks are maintained. These responsibilities are important for safe practices in the pharmacy and, ultimately, for consumer well-being.

Your training will emphasize attention to detail, as this can prevent costly and potentially life-threatening errors during your Pharmacy operations.

You may also become familiar with physical and digital inventory management systems that keep pharmacies adequately stocked and functioning smoothly.

Being adaptable to the ever-changing field of pharmacology is an important skill your education will also provide.

Interpreting The Prescription

After having a deep understanding of pharmacy law, mastering medication dispensing techniques, and focusing on accuracy and inventory management, you will be well-equipped as a pharmacy technician.

You will be able to interpret any doctor’s handwriting, and with this, you will be a valuable pharmacy tech as you will also need to enter the written prescriptions into a digital computer system.

This rewarding career choice also offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on patient care and contribute to the healthcare system, as you will be a valued member of the pharmacy team.

Related: Pharmacy technician skills

What’s Next on My Journey?

Once you have finished your classroom education and gained practical experience through hands-on lab activities, the next step is to consider an externship.

An externship will allow you to gain practical experience and help you apply what you have learned in real-world situations. On successful completion of your externship, you will earn your diploma or certification.

Pharmacy technicians have a range of available employment options. These options include nursing care facilities, hospitals, both private and chain drug stores, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, wholesale warehouse facilities,

and Health Maintenance Organizations. (Read More: Where Can Pharmacy Technicians Work)

Additionally, there are countless retail pharmacies that we visit every day. The pharmacy technician career path offers flexibility and numerous possibilities for growth and advancement.

Traveling Pharmacy Technician also has a wide scope for those who love to travel across the cities.

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About the Author

Grant Aldrich

Grant founded OnlineDegree.com with a purpose-driven mission: make college accessible and affordable for everyone. After graduating college with an overwhelming amount of debt, he was determined to change how students embark on their education. He's a frequent speaker and author in higher education, and has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader's Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.

Three Things You Must Know As a Pharmacy Tech

Understanding the Legal Landscape of Pharmacy

Mastering Medication Dispensing