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==Role in the pharmacy==
==Role in the pharmacy==
Pharmacy technicians often do the routine tasks associated with preparing prescribed [[medication]]s and providing drugs to patients, but may also do [[compounding]] of medications, verbal prescriptions and doctor calls, expense and medication orders, returns and expired credits, and non-licensed pharmacy management.
Pharmacy technicians often do the routine tasks associated with preparing prescribed [[medication]]s and providing drugs to patients, but may also do [[compounding]] of medications, verbal prescriptions and doctor calls, expense and medication orders, returns and expired credits, and non-licensed pharmacy management. Licensed pharmacists check all medications before they go to the patient, and only pharmacists may counsel patients on the proper use of medications. In hospital pharmacy especially, pharmacy technicians generally oversee the operational management of the dispensary and manufacturing units, freeing the pharmacists to participate and develop extended clinical pharmacy roles, such as independent prescribing.

Licensed pharmacists check all medications before they go to the patient, and only pharmacists may counsel patients on the proper use of medications.

In hospital pharmacy especially, pharmacy technicians generally oversee the operational management of the dispensary and manufacturing units, freeing the pharmacists to participate and develop extended clinical pharmacy roles, such as independent prescribing.


Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of locations.
Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of locations.
According to the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]], about 75% of pharmacy technicians work in a retail [[pharmacy]]<ref name="BoLS" />, either independently owned or part of a [[Pharmacy|drugstore]], grocery store or mass retailer chain.
According to the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]], about 75% of pharmacy technicians work in a retail [[pharmacy]]<ref name="BoLS" />, either independently owned or part of a [[Pharmacy|drugstore]], grocery store or mass retailer chain. An additional 16% of pharmacy technician jobs were in [[hospital]]s<ref name=BoLS>US Bureau of Labor Statistics [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm "Pharmacy Technicians and Aides"], ''Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition'', accessed February 6, 2011.</ref>, while others worked for mail-order or [[online pharmacy|Internet pharmacies]], clinics, pharmaceutical [[wholesaler]]s, or the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]].
An additional 16% of pharmacy technician jobs were in [[hospital]]s<ref name=BoLS>US Bureau of Labor Statistics [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm "Pharmacy Technicians and Aides"], ''Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition'', accessed February 6, 2011.</ref>, while others worked for mail-order or [[online pharmacy|Internet pharmacies]], clinics, pharmaceutical [[wholesaler]]s, or the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]].


==Training and certification==
==Training and certification==
Pharmacy technician training programs are offered by the [[military]], some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or [[technical college]]s, and [[community college]]s.
Pharmacy technician training programs are offered by the [[military]], some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or [[technical college]]s, and [[community college]]s.
Training is also often offered as part of employment with many pharmacies.
Training is also often offered as part of employment with many pharmacies. These prepare the student for a pharmacy technician exam (usually the ExCPT or PTCB exam) and often include labs and an "externship" so the student can gain real-world pharmacy experience.

These prepare the student for a pharmacy technician exam (usually the ExCPT or PTCB exam) and often include labs and an "externship" so the student can gain real-world pharmacy experience.


===CPhT===
===CPhT===
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There are many scopes of the workplace in which the Certified Pharmacy Technician may work. In a retail setting, a CPhT, or pharmacy technician, works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who dispenses medication (tablets, capsules, gels, ointment, creams, suspensions, [[Injection (medicine)|injection]]s, and inhalation medications) per the order of a physician. In a retail setting pharmacy technicians are familiar with over the counter areas as well as third party insurance billing processes. In an inpatient setting, a technician almost always works in various areas, such as satellite pharmacies throughout the hospital, dispensing [[medication]] to the nursing units; packing medications; compounding intravenous medication while using aseptic technique; narcotic medication dispensing and inventorial procedures; as well as documenting patient weight, height, drug allergies and other needed information in relation to the patient’s medication records.
There are many scopes of the workplace in which the Certified Pharmacy Technician may work. In a retail setting, a CPhT, or pharmacy technician, works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who dispenses medication (tablets, capsules, gels, ointment, creams, suspensions, [[Injection (medicine)|injection]]s, and inhalation medications) per the order of a physician. In a retail setting pharmacy technicians are familiar with over the counter areas as well as third party insurance billing processes. In an inpatient setting, a technician almost always works in various areas, such as satellite pharmacies throughout the hospital, dispensing [[medication]] to the nursing units; packing medications; compounding intravenous medication while using aseptic technique; narcotic medication dispensing and inventorial procedures; as well as documenting patient weight, height, drug allergies and other needed information in relation to the patient’s medication records.




Depending on the state that you currently reside in, you may or may not be required to complete a certification course upon completion of your pharmacy technician training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pharmacytechniciantrainingnow.com/|title=Pharmacy Technician Training}}</ref>
Depending on the state that you currently reside in, you may or may not be required to complete a certification course upon completion of your pharmacy technician training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pharmacytechniciantrainingnow.com/|title=Pharmacy Technician Training}}</ref>

Revision as of 23:57, 6 February 2011

A pharmacy technician is a pharmacy staff member who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, and performs many pharmacy-related functions. Job duties include dispensing prescription drugs and other health care products to patients, as well as working with doctor's offices and insurance companies to ensure correct medications are provided and payment is received.

Role in the pharmacy

Pharmacy technicians often do the routine tasks associated with preparing prescribed medications and providing drugs to patients, but may also do compounding of medications, verbal prescriptions and doctor calls, expense and medication orders, returns and expired credits, and non-licensed pharmacy management. Licensed pharmacists check all medications before they go to the patient, and only pharmacists may counsel patients on the proper use of medications. In hospital pharmacy especially, pharmacy technicians generally oversee the operational management of the dispensary and manufacturing units, freeing the pharmacists to participate and develop extended clinical pharmacy roles, such as independent prescribing.

Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of locations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 75% of pharmacy technicians work in a retail pharmacy[1], either independently owned or part of a drugstore, grocery store or mass retailer chain. An additional 16% of pharmacy technician jobs were in hospitals[1], while others worked for mail-order or Internet pharmacies, clinics, pharmaceutical wholesalers, or the Federal Government.

Training and certification

Pharmacy technician training programs are offered by the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges. Training is also often offered as part of employment with many pharmacies. These prepare the student for a pharmacy technician exam (usually the ExCPT or PTCB exam) and often include labs and an "externship" so the student can gain real-world pharmacy experience.

CPhT

CPhT is the abbreviation for Certified Pharmacy Technician. In this particular profession, the technician works directly under a RPh (Registered Pharmacist) or PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy).

Depending on the state laws, this profession has different requirements in terms of education. Generally, an associates degree or bachelor’s degree is not required. After obtaining on the job training, technical school education, or occasionally Associate Degree, the technician may take the certification exam. The examination is offered by two certifying bodies. The first is the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) which is offered by the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board). The second is the ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technician) offered by ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians). Upon successful completion of the examination, the candidate is granted certification. The technician must then maintain eligibility (no felonies, etc) and complete continuing education to maintain certification.

Despite advertising for schooling for pharmacy technicians, most states do not require formal schooling. Most states that require certification allow for on the job training before certification is required. These requirements are set by the individual state's Board of Pharmacy.

There are many scopes of the workplace in which the Certified Pharmacy Technician may work. In a retail setting, a CPhT, or pharmacy technician, works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who dispenses medication (tablets, capsules, gels, ointment, creams, suspensions, injections, and inhalation medications) per the order of a physician. In a retail setting pharmacy technicians are familiar with over the counter areas as well as third party insurance billing processes. In an inpatient setting, a technician almost always works in various areas, such as satellite pharmacies throughout the hospital, dispensing medication to the nursing units; packing medications; compounding intravenous medication while using aseptic technique; narcotic medication dispensing and inventorial procedures; as well as documenting patient weight, height, drug allergies and other needed information in relation to the patient’s medication records.

Depending on the state that you currently reside in, you may or may not be required to complete a certification course upon completion of your pharmacy technician training.[2] In many states this certification is optional, however, some states do require it.[3]

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom however, training and continuing professional development is such that pharmacy technicians are qualified to counsel patients on their medication and indeed specialist technicians participate in the running of anticoagulant clinics, dosing warfarin patients under dose banding guidance.

In the United Kingdom, there are accredited programs which pharmacy technicians must complete. In the UK this is sometimes composed of an 'on the job' qualification (an NVQ/SVQ level 3); and a theory based qualification (BTEC) usually completed on day-release at college or by correspondence course. If you are eligible to register with the RPSGB then you can become a member of APTUK.

References

  1. ^ a b US Bureau of Labor Statistics "Pharmacy Technicians and Aides", Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, accessed February 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "Pharmacy Technician Training".
  3. ^ "Pharmacy Technician Certification".
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