Where Pharmacy Technicians Can Work with a Pharmacy Technician Certificate
March 12, 2009
•SBC-Houston
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Pharmacy technicians are an important part of any pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in preparing medications for customers. While responsibilities may vary depending upon the facility and the state you are working in, common tasks include counting tablets, labeling bottles, preparing medication information for customers, taking inventory and stocking shelves. And this is just the start!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technicians receive written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills from patients. They also may receive prescriptions sent electronically from the doctor’s office. They must verify that information on the prescription is complete and accurate. To prepare the prescription, technicians must retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Then, they prepare the prescription labels, select the type of prescription container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. Once the prescription is filled, technicians price and file the prescription, which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. Technicians may also establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos252.htm.
As you can see pharmacy technicians wear many hats in the pharmacy and are depended upon daily by pharmacists and customers who need medication. Orders must be handled with care and prepared properly. Providing the wrong medication or inaccurate doses can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, pharmacy technicians must be highly trained with an acute attention to detail. Pharmacy technicians often work in the presence of narcotics and other potentially dangerous medications. These medications often have strong federal regulations attached to them. Pharmacy technicians must be trustworthy, as well as thorough in validating that prescriptions are accurate and authentic. Pharmacy technician classes are often used to train pharmacy technicians on how to perform these tasks efficiently.
Those who have taken pharmacy technician classes and graduated pharmacy technician courses can pursue careers in various environments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians work primarily in retail and non-retail pharmacies. This can include the town pharmacy, major chains, grocery stores, department stores and other retailers. Pharmacies are now being integrated into many different types of stores to increase customer convenience. This means that pharmacy technicians can pursue careers in the type of environment that they enjoy working in.
Some pharmacy technician courses and pharmacy technician programs offer an externship. An externship can not only give you some experience in the working world before graduation, but can also help you become more familiar with what it is like to be a pharmacy technician. A pharmacy technician class that uses an externship can allow you to experience the pace and culture of the work place in a way that a classroom cannot. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician, enrolling in pharmacy technician classes is a must. Pharmacy technician courses can help prepare you with the knowledge you need to succeed in this field. To learn more about pharmacy technician courses in the Houston area, click here.
Sanford-Brown College - Houston is close to many locations:
Bellaire, TX - approximately 11.7 miles
Crabb, TX - approximately 13.8 miles
Peters, TX - approximately 52.9 miles
Heights, TX - approximately 48.4 miles
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Pharmacy Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos252.htm (visited January 25, 2009).