Pharmacy Technicians and assistants
Technicians and assistants
by Nancy Saffer
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n the past, a pharmacist probably filled the prescripÂtions you ordered. Today, although pharmacists  are  on duty wherever medications are dispensed, a pharmacy techniÂcian or pharmacy assistant ofÂten does most of the work in preÂparing and selling prescriptions.
The role of pharmacy technicians and assistants has changed for a number of reaÂsons. One reason is that using these workÂers minimizes health care costs. Another is that because pharmacy technicians and assistants handle routine work, pharmaÂcists are able to focus more on supervisory duties and patient care and advice.
This article describes what pharmacy technicians and assistants do, as well as where they work, what their job outlook is, how much they earn, and how they train for these careers.
Nature of the work
Pharmacy technicians and assistants help licensed pharmacists in providing mediÂcation and health care to patients. They
Nancy Saffer is an economist formerly with the Office of Employment Projections, BLS.
In the world of pharmacy, it’s increasingly the technicians and assistants who are minding the store. Here’s a profile of these two health-related occupations.
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prepare prescribed medication for paÂtients and perform clerical tasks. AlÂthough their duties are often similar, technicians usually have more responsiÂbilities than assistants.
Laws vary by State, but most States reÂquire the work of technicians and assistÂants to be closely supervised by pharmaÂcists. Pharmacists must check every prescription technicians prepare before it can be given to a patient. And any quesÂtions regarding prescriptions, drug inforÂmation, or health matters are directed to a pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy techÂnicians follow a procedure for filling preÂscriptions. After receiving patients’ written
prescriptions or requests for prescription reÂfills, they verify that the information on the prescription is complete and accurate. Then, technicians retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and, if necessary, mix the medicaÂtion for the prescription. Next, they prepare the prescription labels, select a prescription container, and affix the prescription and other labels to the container. Once the preÂscription is filled, technicians price and file it. Technicians also establish and maintain patient profiles and prepare insurance claim forms.
In retail settings, technicians also stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications, clean and help maintain equipment, and manÂage the cash register in addition to their other duties.
In hospitals, technicians read physiÂcian orders on patients’ charts and prepare and deliver medication after it is checked by a pharmacist. They also enter informaÂtion about prescribed medications into patients’ medical records. They may asÂsemble a 24-hour supply of medicine for every patient, packaging and labeling each dose separately. Each package is checked by the supervising pharmacist before being given to a patient. Like their counterparts in retail establishments, pharmacy technicians in hospitals keep an inventory of the medicines and other supplies they use.
Occupational Outlook Quarterly •Spring 1 999
| have to use a stepladder to retrieve supÂplies from high shelves. They may also exÂperience stress during busy periods.
Because prescriptions must be filled whenever a pharmacy is open—which, in the case of hospitals and 24-hour pharmaÂcies, means almost any time—technicians and assistants often work evenings, nights, and weekends. There are many opÂportunities for part-time work in 24-hour pharmacies. Some technicians and assistÂants work part time while studying to beÂcome pharmacists. Job outlook Employment of pharmacy technicians and assistants is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupaÂtions through 2006, for several reasons. Technicians are cost effective for retail es- |
The duties of pharmacy technicians have changed recently, along with those of pharmacists. “Pharmacists are becoming more focused on patient care, so pharmacy technicians are needed to perform more of the distributive functions,” says Melissa Murer, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
And with technicians concentrating on preparing and dispensing medication, pharmacists have more time for patient consultation. “Preparing the work for the pharmacist is the most important duty of a pharmacy technician,” says Jennifer Corley, a Certified Pharmacy Technician in Haltom City, Texas. “This frees up the pharmacist to spend more time counselÂing patients and less time behind the counter.”
Pharmacy assistants. Some hospitals and pharmacies employ pharmacy assistÂants, whose duties may be similar to those of technicians. Pharmacy assistants in reÂtail pharmacies often work as clerks or cashiers. They may answer phones, handle money, and perform clerical funcÂtions. Assistants who work in hospitals deliver medication to patients. They also assist in the hospital pharmacy with duÂties such as stocking shelves.
Employment and working conditions
In 1996, pharmacy technicians and assistÂants held about 130,000 jobs—82,000 pharmacy technicians and 47,000 pharÂmacy assistants. Over two-thirds worked in retail trade, mainly in retail pharmaÂcies; about a quarter worked in hospitals; and most of the rest worked in other health-related settings such as clinics and nursing homes.
Pharmacy technicians and assistants work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. They spend most of the workday on their feet. TechniÂcians and assistants may be required to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds and may
Pharmacy technicians prepare routine prescriptions under the supen’ision of a pharmacist.
tablishments and hospitals, since they are paid less than pharmacists. Also, pharÂmacy workloads—and, consequently, the demand for technicians—are increasing because of society’s growing population of older people, who are more likely to need prescription medication than people in other age groups. Employment of pharÂmacy assistants likewise will grow as assistants take over some duties of higher-paid pharmacists and pharmacy techÂnicians.
Traditionally, States have required a ratio of one pharmacist to every techniÂcian, but that is also expected to change. “Many of the major employers of techniÂcians are expanding the number of their facilities, and boards of pharmacy in some States are allowing the legal ratio of techÂnicians to pharmacists to expand,” says
Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 1999
The duties of pharmacy technicians and assistants vary according to their work setting.
| Mark Boesen, Director of Government and Student Affairs for the American AssoÂciation of Colleges of Pharmacy. “This is a very promising field to work in.” InÂcreased demand for technician services and greater responsibility have resulted in some States approving an increase to two or three technicians per pharmacist.
In addition to jobs created by employÂment growth, many jobs for pharmacy technicians and assistants will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. And as mentioned above, there will be plenty of opportunities for part-time work. As they take on more tasks previously done by pharmacists, pharmacy techniÂcians must learn and master new pharÂmacy technology as it becomes available. Some pharmacies use robotic machines to dispense medicine into containers, but technicians are still hired to oversee the machine, stock bins, and label containers. |
In other words, automation is not exÂpected to replace technicians.
Earnings
There are no Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for pharmacy technicians and assistants. Based on the limited data available, pay appears to vary by geoÂgraphic location and employer. AccordÂing to estimates from experts in the field, technicians employed in retail pharmaÂcies earn between $5 and $8 per hour, and those working in hospitals start at about $7 to $9 per hour. Some hospitals pay more to technicians who work evenings, nights, or weekends.
Experienced technicians may earn as much as $10 to $14 per hour, and techniÂcians with certification are likely to be paid the most. “Hospitals are offering higher salaries to technicians who are cerÂtified,” says Don Ballington, Director of the pharmacy technician program at MidÂlands Technical College in Columbia,
South Carolina. “Certified technicians are also given the first opportunity to adÂvance to a higher position.” More inforÂmation about certification is in the next section.
Depending on geographic location, pay for pharmacy assistants ranges from minimum wage, currently $5.15 per hour, to $6.50 per hour.
Most retail pharmacies and hospitals also provide benefits. These include paid vacation and sick leave, medical and denÂtal insurance, and retirement plans. Some employers pay overtime to technicians and assistants who work on holidays.
Qualifications, training, and certification
People who want to become pharmacy technicians and assistants should be proÂficient in basic subjects such as mathÂematics, spelling, and reading. A strong background in chemistry and health eduÂcation is also recommended. Some emÂployers may prefer to hire people with exÂperience in typing, handling money, or operating special equipment. Pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse.
Technicians and assistants must be alert, observant, organized, honest, and responsible; have good manual dexterity; and be able to perform repetitious work accurately. They need good interpersonal and communication skills because of their frequent interaction with patients, coworkers, and health care professionals. Technicians and assistants must be able to work as part of a team. Ability to take diÂrection is also important, but technicians and assistants should be able to work on their own without constant instruction from a pharmacist.
There are few State and no Federal reÂquirements for formal training of pharÂmacy technicians and assistants. Most pharmacy technicians and assistants reÂceive informal on-the-job training. But many employers—especially those who cannot invest the time or money required for on-the-job training—prefer to hire
OO Occupational Outlook Quarterly •Spring 1999
technicians who have completed formal training.
Pharmacy technician education proÂgrams involve both classroom and laboraÂtory work in subjects such as medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceuÂtical calculations, pharmacy record keepÂing, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians must learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses. Students who successÂfully complete requirements receive a diÂploma, certificate, or associate degree, deÂpending on the program.
The American Society of Health-SysÂtem Pharmacists has accredited more than 50 programs for pharmacy technician education. Formal training programs are offered by some hospitals as well as proÂprietary schools, vocational and techniÂcal colleges, community colleges, and colleges of pharmacy. The Society also offers an accredited program that requires 600 hours of training.
Pharmacy technicians may also demÂonstrate professional competency by earning certification. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board adminisÂters the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, a standardÂized test of knowledge and skills required for pharmacy technicians. The exam covÂers three function areas: Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients, medicaÂtion distribution and inventory control systems, and pharmacy operations. The cost is $105. About 20,000 pharmacy technicians were certified in 1996, acÂcording to the Board.
To be eligible for the certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Individuals who pass the exam earn the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Like formal training, certification is not required for pharmacy technicians. However, being certified does provide adÂvantages. “Allowing technicians to beÂcome certified is one way for them to forÂmalize their career—they feel like part of a health-care team,” says the Board’s Mel-
Pharmacy technicians and assistants stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
issa Murer. “Certification also gives emÂployers a sense of retention and recruitÂment in their employees.” Results of a 1994 Board survey confirm that assertion. Surveyed technicians cited better wages, job opportunities, and job security, along with improved self-worth and compeÂtence, as a result of earning certification.
Jennifer Corley is among the certified technicians who support certification. “Since technicians are being handed more and more responsibilities, there is a need to have formally educated and well qualified people,” she says. “When I passed the certification exam, I got a $1 per hour raise. I also gained more recogniÂtion and respect for my work.”
Certified technicians must be recertiÂfied every 2 years. Recertification reÂquires completion of 20 “contact” hours—defined as class time or training received in addition to usual duties—of pharmacy-related topics within the 2-year certification period. At least 1 hour must be in the area of pharmacy law. TechniÂcians can earn contact hours from sources such as pharmacy associations, pharmacy colleges, and pharmacy technician trainÂing programs. A technician working unÂder the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist can earn up to 10 contact hours.
In contrast to the formal training and certification available to technicians,
pharmacy assistants are almost always trained on the job. Pharmacy assistants might start out observing a more experiÂenced worker. After becoming familiar with hospital or store equipment, poliÂcies, and procedures, they are able to work on their own. Assistants are not likely to receive additional training unless their employer introduces new equipment or changes policies or procedures.
Working in a community pharmacy or volunteering in a hospital is helpful for someone interested in becoming a pharÂmacy technician or assistant. Other jobs that may prove useful include work that involves checking inventories, counting, measuring, and using a computer. Many pharmacy technician training programs include clerkships or internships, which provide opportunities for hands-on expeÂrience in pharmacies.
Related occupations
Workers in other medical support occupaÂtions include medical secretaries, hospiÂtal admitting clerks, dental assistants, medical record clerks, occupational therapy assistants and aides, licensed nursing aides, surgical technologists, and physical therapy assistants and aides.
For more information
For information on certification and re-certification or to receive a National PharÂmacy Technician Certification ExaminaÂtion Candidate Handbook, contact:
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
2215 Constitution Ave., NW.
Washington, DC 20037-2985
(202) 429-7576
www.ptcb.org
For a directory of accredited pharmacy technician programs, contact:
American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists
7272 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-3000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OOQ
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‘ccupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 1 999 O /
