Pharmacy Technician

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
• Verify accuracy of patient information.
• Record patient medical histories.
• Clean medical equipment or facilities.
• Prepare medications or medical solutions.
• Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
• Perform clerical work in medical settings.
• Process medical billing information.
• Merchandise healthcare products or services.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having telephone conversations.
• Standing.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Working with a group or team.
• Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
• Exposure to disease or infections.
• Serious consequences if mistakes are made.

Tools & Technology used by Pharmacy Technician

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Pharmacy Technician

• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Pharmacy Technician

• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Medicine and Dentistry—Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Law and Government—Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing average growth compared to other careers. There will be a -1.1% growth new for Pharmacy Technicians to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least a High School degree, but most professionals do attend some college and earn an Associates or Bachelors degree. This job requires a license, and certifications could aid in showcasing knowledge.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Anatomy
• Chemistry
• Community Health
• Computer Applications
• Human Development
• Medical Ethics
• Nutrition
• Research Methods
• Safety and First Aid/CPR
• Sociology
• Statistics
• World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise