Expand mobile version menu

Pharmacy Technician

salary graphic

AVG. SALARY

$35,210

education graphic

EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

job outlook graphic

JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Pharmacy Technicians Career Video

About This Career

Prepares medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Receives written prescription or refill requests and verifies that information is complete and accurate.
  • Enters prescription information into computer databases.
  • Establishes or maintains patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
  • Maintains proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
  • Receives and stores incoming supplies, verifies quantities against invoices, checks for outdated medications in current inventory, and informs supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
  • Answers telephones, responding to questions or requests.
  • Assists customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
  • Operates cash registers to accept payment from customers.
  • Mixes pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.
  • Prices and files prescriptions that have been filled.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Rotating shift work
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Accredited Pharmacy Technician
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  • Compounding Technician
  • Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician)
  • OR Pharmacy Tech (Operating Room Pharmacy Tech)
  • RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician)