Prospective Technicians
A pharmacy technician works closely with pharmacists in hospitals, community pharmacies, and other medical settings to help prepare and distribute medicines to patients and assist the pharmacist in conducting professional pharmacy services. Pharmacy technicians are highly valued members of the healthcare team and play an important role in improving medication safety, workflow efficiency, and patient access to care. As pharmacy practice continues to expand, technicians continue to take on greater responsibilities that support pharmacists and enhance patient care services.
In many pharmacies, technicians:
In many pharmacies, technicians:
- Screen prescription orders for accuracy and completeness
- Prepare prescriptions – retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication
- Perform calculations
- Perform medication reconciliation
- Assist in the management of pharmacy inventory
- Assist in clinical pharmacy services, such as medication therapy management (MTM) or immunizations
- Use technology to help maintain accurate patient records, prepare and package medications, and place orders
Why Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Good job opportunities are expected for full-time and part-time work, especially for technicians with formal training or previous experience. Job openings for pharmacy technicians will result from the expansion of community pharmacies and other employment settings, and from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Pharmacy technicians also have opportunities to expand into specialized areas of pharmacy practice, including sterile compounding, automation technology, medication history collection, nuclear pharmacy, and supervisory or leadership roles. Many technicians use their experience as a foundation for additional healthcare education and career advancement.
Pharmacy technicians also have opportunities to expand into specialized areas of pharmacy practice, including sterile compounding, automation technology, medication history collection, nuclear pharmacy, and supervisory or leadership roles. Many technicians use their experience as a foundation for additional healthcare education and career advancement.
What Does It Take to Be a Pharmacy Technician?
It is important to have a professional attitude when communicating with patients in any pharmacy setting. The technician also has a responsibility to keep a patient’s medical and medication records confidential. In addition, it is recommended that pharmacy technicians have the following characteristics:
- Ability to work well in teams
- Ability to type
- Self-confidence
- Previous customer service experience
- A basic understanding of medical terminology and calculations or a willingness and ability to develop that understanding and knowledge
- Attention to detail
- Outgoing
- Hard working
- Quick learner
- Sincerity and concern for others
- Tact
- Friendliness
Career Opportunities:
Pharmacy technicians are currently in very high demand, and this demand is expected to grow. As pharmacies expand patient care services, the role of and need for pharmacy technicians will also expand. With the appropriate amount of training and experience, pharmacy technicians may be promoted to supervisory roles, may seek specialization (e.g., oncology, nuclear pharmacy), or may pursue further education and training to become a pharmacist. Some technicians gain specialized skills in tech-check-tech programs, sterile products admixture, pharmacy automation, and health information systems.
Technician Training:
A growing number of pharmacy technicians are completing formal training programs at various community colleges across the state of Iowa. These programs provide pharmacy technicians with specialized education to gain more responsibility in pharmacy practice settings. Current pharmacy technician education programs are available at:
Many technician training programs include coursework in pharmacy law, pharmacology, sterile compounding, medication safety, pharmacy calculations, and healthcare technology systems. Students may also have opportunities for experiential training in community or hospital pharmacy settings.
- Drake University Pharmacy Technician Program, Des Moines (100% online)
- Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo (Hybrid)
- Indian Hills Community College, Centerville and Ottumwa (Online)
- Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, (100% online)
- Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar and Peosta (100% online)
- Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon (100% online)
- University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City (Hybrid)
- Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City (In-person)
Many technician training programs include coursework in pharmacy law, pharmacology, sterile compounding, medication safety, pharmacy calculations, and healthcare technology systems. Students may also have opportunities for experiential training in community or hospital pharmacy settings.
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