Become Pharmacy Technician

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Become Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician works hand-in-hand with a pharmacist. It combines elements of administrative assistance, healthcare and retail sales. They interact with customers and patients and assists the pharmacist as they prepare medications, fulfill prescriptions, and offer other healthcare services at a pharmacy location. This can be a private pharmacy, or one located within a hospital, a clinic, or a retail store space. They play a large role in the overall operation of a pharmacy, ensuring that clerical duties are performed correctly and detailed patient records remain organized. They work with the pharmacist to make sure that customers get the medications and healthcare services they need to improve their health.

Pass the certification exam of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
Meet specific provincial licensing requirements (e.g. the Ontario College of Pharmacists)
Be extremely detailed-oriented and skilled at organization
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
Be able to multitask without losing focus

The job of the pharmacy technician is there to assist and support the pharmacist on daily basis. They interact directly with clients to gather information, collect prescription info and insurance forms, processes claims, and collect payment. They are often the most customer-facing role in the pharmacy, and they must be prepared to answer questions and offer support to customers as they enter. Pharmacies are governed by strict laws, regulations and guidelines, and pharmacy technicians must know and follow them to the letter at all times.

Greet patients and collect prescriptions
Process insurance claims and payment
Organize patient and pharmacy records
Take regular inventory and replace needed stock
Receive and organize new stock and medications
Communicate with other pharmacies when needed
Conduct health tests, such as taking blood pressure and temperatures
Update customer records with new information
Perform bookkeeping and administrative tasks
Compound and dispense prescriptions under pharmacists supervision
Answer customer questions, in person or via phone/email

Pharmacy technicians have specific educational and training requirements. They must graduate from a pharmacy technician program that has been accredited by the CCAPP. Asspiring pharmacy technicians must successfully complete the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam as conducted by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). They may also have to register with the appropriate regulatory organization in their province or territory, such as the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Pharmacy technicians are recruited by pharmacies, and work in the private healthcare and related retail sector.

The long-term employment outlook for pharmacy technicians is considered fair to good, with the locations of the jobseeker having a large impact on employment opportunities. Areas with large populations will continue to need healthcare and pharmaceutical services, meaning there will continue to be opportunities in the job field.

A pharmacy technician works in pharmacies. These can be independent locations, or can be located within hospitals, doctors offices, clinics, healthcare facilities and private retail locations.

According to the CNP code (national classification of occupations), here are additional titles for a pharmacy technician: