Pharmacy Technician: Degrees and Jobs for Military & Veterans

Texarkana College describes pharmacy technician degrees as the preparation for becoming "an entry-level health care professional that can be found working alongside Pharmacists, Doctors, and Nurses to prepare and package medications prescribed for patients and keep up with inventory for a pharmacy. Pharmacy Technicians may also be responsible for some administrative tasks for a pharmacy such as processing insurance claims and filing paperwork."

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing prescription medication. Pharmacy technicians (pharmacy techs or PTs) may work to dispense medications directly to customers, patients, or health professionals. When you graduate with this degree, your job options include "...a variety of environments that distribute and fill prescription medications. "

Texarkana College also notes that graduates may go on to work in retail pharmacies including Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.

Pharmacy techs may work in retail pharmacies, including those found in drug stores and hospitals. They also work in other locations, such as grocery stores, acute care facilities, nursing homes, and managed care clinics.

While some sources report that two-thirds of pharmacy techs work in retail pharmacies, PTs also work in facilities where they become a part of the health care team and work directly with nurses, doctors, and fellow technicians.

Pharmacy techs work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and assist in all aspects of preparing prescription medications.

Pharmacy Tech Responsibilities

Pharmacy tech responsibilities may include:

• Pharmacy management
• Customer/client engagement
• Interact with insurance companies
• Medication preparation
• Dispensing prescriptions
• Drug-use review
• Fill automated dispensing machines
• Storage
• Pharmacy equipment and facilities maintenance
• Maintain proper inventory levels

Pharmacy Tech Training

Each state board of pharmacy determines requirements within their state. Many states require licensure of pharmacy techs. Licensure requirements are vastly varied and may include:

• a high school diploma or GED
• passing a criminal background check
• passing a drug test
• graduation from a 3-9 month training program accredited by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
• passage of a licensure/certification exam

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of employed Pharmacy Technicians to grow faster than average over the next decade. Increased demand for prescription medications and an aging population lends itself for increased demand for pharmaceutical services.

Pharmacy techs play a critical role within the ever-expanding pharmacy practice. A fully trained pharmacy tech is considered valuable in health care.

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