Careers

Pharmacy technicians are critical members of the healthcare team and are essential to providing patients with safe and effective medication therapy. A pharmacy technician works closely with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in diverse settings such as hospitals, clinics, and community pharmacies. Technicians perform vital functions to support the patient care efforts of the pharmacy team, with roles and responsibilities that continue to expand and evolve. In many pharmacies, technicians: 

• Accurately prepare and distribute patient medications;
• Perform calculations;
• Compound sterile and non-sterile medications, including those used to treat cancer;
• Collect accurate patient information;
• Process third party billing claims and assist with prior authorization completion;
• Work directly with patients to obtain medication histories and reconciliation;
• Assist in the management of investigational drug studies;
• Use technology to help maintain accurate patient records, medication inventory, and orders, and;
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

State laws dictate the activities that pharmacy technicians can perform. Additional information about the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. 

Why Become a Pharmacy Technician 

Diverse career opportunities exist for full-time and part-time work as a pharmacy technician, especially for pharmacy technicians with formal training or previous experience. 

• Health services are one of the largest industries in the country, with more than 11 million jobs, including the self-employed.
• Ten out of 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest are concentrated in health services.
• Healthcare occupations are projected to grow more jobs than any other occupational groups from 2018 to 2028.
• Most jobs require less than 4 years of college education. 

Pharmacy technicians are currently in very high demand, and this demand is expected to continue. As pharmacies expand patient care services, the role of and need for pharmacy technicians will also grow. 

Pharmacy technician employment is anticipated to develop quickly because of the increasing complexity of medications being used for patient care. Additionally, the growing population of middle-aged and elderly people — who typically use more healthcare services — will drive the need for technicians in all practice settings. View technician employment trends from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

With the appropriate amount of training and experience, pharmacy technicians may be promoted to supervisory roles, may seek specialization (e.g., sterile compounding, informatics), or may pursue further education and training to become a pharmacist. Technicians can gain specialized skills in areas such as sterile compounding, pharmacy automation, hazardous drug management, revenue cycle management, health (including telehealth) information systems, and vaccine administration. 

Technicians work similar hours to pharmacists. These can include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, particularly in facilities that are open 24 hours a day such as hospitals and some community pharmacies. As they gain seniority within their organization, technicians often acquire increased control over the hours they work. There are many opportunities for part-time work in both hospital and community settings. 

Where do Pharmacy Technicians Work? 

Hospitals and Health-Systems 

• Pharmacy technicians in health-care facilities, such as hospitals and ambulatory clinics, often have added responsibilities in addition to filling prescriptions for patients and delivering them daily. These responsibilities may include preparing sterile medications, verifying the work of other technicians, and operating pharmacy automation systems. With additional training, activities may also include obtaining medication histories, facilitating transitions of care, diversion prevention, and medication assistance programs or supply chain management. Numerous advanced or specialized technician roles exist in these settings (e.g., Pharmacy Purchaser, Lead Pharmacy Technician, and Medication Reconciliation Technician). If you like working directly with patients and other healthcare providers and being an active part of a medical team, pharmacy technician jobs in hospitals and health-systems are a great choice. 

Community Pharmacies

• Many pharmacy technician jobs are available in community pharmacies, such as those located in your local grocery or drug store. Working in a community pharmacy means working closely with the people in your community. Technicians receive written prescription requests from patients and perform medication reconciliation. They also may receive prescriptions sent electronically from doctors’ offices, and in some states, they are permitted to process requests by phone. They must verify that the information on the prescription is complete and accurate. To prepare the prescription, pharmacy technicians retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Pharmacy technicians may establish and maintain patient profiles, as well as process insurance claims. 

Mail Order Pharmacies

• Mail order pharmacies present an opportunity to service a wider range of customers than local community pharmacies. Mail order is great if you are looking for pharmacy technician jobs where you can work independently or behind-the-scenes. Pharmacy technicians employed by mail order pharmacies may have additional responsibilities related to packaging and shipping medications, coordinating refills and deliveries with patients over the phone, and working closely with local couriers and delivery services to ensure patients receive their medications on time. 

Getting the Job 

There are multiple approaches to obtain the education and training necessary to become a pharmacy technician, including formal and standardized training and education programs, on-the-job training, and online courses. The following components play a role in determining your pharmacy technician opportunities and salary: 

• Education Level — Having a higher level of education, such as completion of an accredited technician training program or an associate degree, may make you a more attractive job candidate, help you advance quicker, and help boost your pharmacy technician salary. 
• Certification — Depending on your employer, pharmacy technician certification may be required. Certification assures employers that your skills and knowledge meet high standards for professional practice and patient care, and your pharmacy technician salary will likely reflect this. 
• Geographic Location — Where you live plays a part in determining your salary. Employers in your area may pay more or less than the average salary for a pharmacy technician due to the local economy and the cost of living in your city or town. 
• Type of Employer — If you work at a hospital or a large retail chain, they are often able to pay higher pharmacy technician salaries.  

Learn More 

• Pharmacy Technician Certification
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician Program Accreditation
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)