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A pharmacy technician is a person who performs various pharmacy functions, under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Usually, the duties involve providing various medication and health care products to the patients, as would be on a prescription. The pharmacy technician job also involves the preparation and compounding of the prescribed medicines, packaging and labeling each dose of medication separately, be it through hand or with the help of a packaging machine. These packages are then coordinated with the help of a computer that uses bar codes. The technicians may also have to prepare small containers of medicines that have to be given to individual patients.
The responsibilities that come with a pharmacy technician job are known to differ based on the location of the job. You may have to answer phone calls, handle money and stock shelves and may also be required to perform computer data entry operations. In a hospital, an assisted living facility, a nursing home or a clinic, the pharmacy technician job involves shouldering some higher responsibilities as well. The job involves, reading patient charts in conjunction with a prescription, which is verified by a physician as well as a pharmacist. These medicines then have to be prepared and physically delivered to the nurses, who in turn will administer them to the patients.
Outlook
Pharmacy Technician employment is expected to increase 32% by 2016, much faster than average for all occupations, according to the US Labor Bureau.
This increase is due to:
- New technology creating more available medical treatments
- A growing population of elderly consuming more medications
- A rapidly expanding health care industry in general
Training
The Pharmacy Technician program will cover the technicians duties, controlled substances, laws and regulations, drug classifications, the most frequently prescribed medications, dispensing information to include prescription information, preparing and dispensing prescriptions, calculations, and sterile products with unite dose and repackaging. Anatomy/Physiology and medical terminology are also included.
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. A current TB skin test is also needed by the first day of classes.
In addition to the classroom, students will complete an unpaid externship at completion of the course material. In cooperation with physicians and allied health agencies, the advanced student is assigned to a specific location. The student will be under the direct supervision of someone in that facility who will direct, evaluate, and supervise the students training within that facility.
Technicians who take and pass the ExCPT are granted the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), demonstrating that they possess the ability and skills to efficiently assist pharmacists in the safe and accurate preparation and dispensing of medications. The state of Kentucky also requires a submission fee of $25 with an application to the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy.
Profession Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
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