
They highlight those that hold such job titles as Day Lead Technician at a children’s hospital, Pharmacy Technician Instructor and Program Director at a college, Pharmacy Technician Supervisor at an air force base and Pharmacy Affairs Program Manager for a national organization.The course objective is to prepare the student to assist in the preparation and dispensing of medications and other health initiatives, and to provide high quality patient care in a retail pharmacy environment. The PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board), for example, profiles success stories of numerous CPhTs (certified pharmacy technicians).

If you want to be inspired, read or listen to stories of pharmacy technicians who have risen up the ranks within their field. Experience in particular technologies, such as automated medication dispensing systems.Procurement (such as budget, inventory and drug selection/recall management).Pharmacy technician specialties are gained through a combination of gradual, on-the-job training from veteran members of the pharmacy team and through continued education, such as courses, certificate programs (like through the NPTA), CE activities or even an advanced degree.Įxamples of pharmacy technician specialties include: Tip: Even if your state does not require you to become a certified pharmacy technician, becoming a CPhT will lead to more career opportunities. Hospitals are also great settings for pharmacy technicians to start learning new and specialized skills. Or in a hospital, one pharmacy technician role might be delivering medications to patients in their rooms. For an insurance company, he or she may function as a prior authorization representative. For example, for an organization or center conducting research, a pharmacy tech may assist with clinical trials. Naturally pharmacy technician tasks will vary by workplace and employer. These include, but are not limited to, hospitals, outpatient care centers, long term care facilities, specialty pharmacies, online/mail-order pharmacies, research labs, pharmaceutical companies, colleges, health insurance companies, pharmacy service companies, for the Department of Veterans Affairs or for one of the Department of Defense’s military departments.


Even roles in these types of settings can vary by workplace, whether it is enjoying interacting with customers within a multicultural community or serving a dual role, like dividing time between the pharmacy and health/beauty/wellness section of the store.īut additional workplace opportunities exist, and even first-time pharmacy technicians can sometimes land a job at some of these places.

Generally, many pharmacy technicians work in a retail or community style setting, such as a pharmacy in a drug store, department store or grocery store or an independent or chain pharmacy. With experience and continuous education, they can become specialized, which can lead to some pretty fascinating, and more advanced positions. Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings which require some varying functions. That statement is a big, resounding: FALSE! Pharmacy technician jobs are the same across the board, no matter where or how long you work in the field.
