Your Questions Answered - Pharmacy Technician

Q. What do pharmacy technicians do?

A. Here are some typical tasks you would perform:

• Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
• Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
• Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
• Fill bottles with prescribed medications and type and affix labels.
• Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
• Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
• Clean, and help maintain, equipment and work areas, and sterilize glassware according to prescribed methods.
• Establish and maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
• Order, label, and count stock of medications, chemicals, and supplies, and enter inventory data into computer.
• Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.

Q. How do I know if I will like working as a pharmacy technician?

A. Sometimes, the only way to discover if you love something is to go ahead and try it. Here are some questions you can ask yourself. If you answer yes to these, working as a Pharmacy Technician may be a good choice for you.

• Active Listener -- do you give your full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times?
• Speaking -- can you talk to other people to convey information effectively?
• Active Learner -- do you like to learn continuously and do you understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision-making?
• Service Oriented -- do you actively looking for ways to help people?
• Instructing -- do you like to teach other people how to do something?
• Reading Comprehension -- do you read well and understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents?
• Mathematics --- do you like to use math to solve problems?
• Time Management -- do you manage your time effectively?
• Writing -- can you communicate effectively in writing?

Q. Where do pharmacy technicians work?

A. Pharmacy technicians work in many different environments ... think CVS, Eckerd, etc.), hospitals, the military and facilities like nursing homes and mail order services.

Q. Do I need to be licensed as a pharmacy technician ?

A. As part of your training, you will prepare to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB), which is a nationally recognized certification that can help you prove your competency and position you to earn more money. There is an additional charge for the exam, and information packets are handed out during your first class.

Q. How much money can I make?

A. According to Salary.com, entry-level pharmacy technicians in Metro Atlanta typically earn $25,000 annually.

Q. What’s the job outlook?

A. Great! Jobs in healthcare are in demand. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts increased growth over the next decade. This is also a great place to start if you are considering pursuing a degree and career as a pharmacist, but want to check out the job and job environment before enrolling in your degree program.

Q. Are there additional fees for books or supplies?

A. Yes. You should check individual course descriptions for more information and approximate costs. You are required to have your books with you on the first night of class. You can purchase books at the KSU Center Bookstore, which is located in the same building as your classes.