When a pharmacy technician or aide
says they’ll give you a
taste of your own medicine,
you have nothing to worry about.
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists
dispense prescription medication
to customers or health professionals.
They receive written prescriptions
and confirm their accuracy,
and can measure and package medications,
and label prescriptions.
Technicians answer
customers’ basic questions,
and track lists of meds they receive.
They may also process
medical insurance forms.
Pharmacy aides record and store deliveries
of supplies and medications,
and may accept prescriptions to be filled.
They greet customers and provide
basic information about their medications.
They usually run the cash register
in the pharmacy,
and also prepare labels
and keep the pharmacy area tidy.
Many pharmacy technicians
and aides work full time,
and may work irregular shifts
at 24-hour pharmacies.
Technicians may enter the field by
earning an associate’s degree,
taking a short-term
pharmacy technician program,
or gaining work experience
to develop the needed skills.
Most, but not all, states require licensure
and certification for pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy aides generally need
a high school education,
and train on the job.
As the face of the pharmacy,
pharmacy technicians and aides
need customer service skills
and a strong eye for detail.
Ensuring customers receive
the correct medication
—in a timely fashion—
is essential to our health care system.