The document discusses the role and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians. It outlines that pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to perform tasks like receiving prescriptions, filling prescriptions, and inventory management. The document also discusses the evolution of pharmacy technicians from clerks to trained assistants and the importance of certification, education, and competency in the field. It provides details on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and requirements to become a certified pharmacy technician.

1. The Pharmacy
Technician 4E
Chapter 2
The Pharmacy Technician

2. Chapter Outline
 The Pharmacy Technician
 Personal Standards
 Training & Competency
 Certification

3. Pharmacy Technician
 A pharmacy technician, also called the pharmacy
assistant.
 Works in a pharmacy.
 Works under the direct supervision of a licensed
pharmacist.
 Assists in pharmacy activities that do not require
the professional judgment of a pharmacist.

4. Pharmacist
 The pharmacist provides
 The final check on the original prescription with
the medication bottle and label.
 Patient counseling - has the regal responsibility.

5. Pharmacy Technicians Role
 Originally, many pharmacy techs were trained as
medics in the military.
 Returned after service to take positions in
hospitals.
 In community pharmacy, the pharmacy tech
evolved from clerk or cashier to a pharmacist’s
assistant.
 A pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist with
routine functions.
 Leaves professional decision making and
judgment calls to the pharmacist.

6. Pharmacy Technicians Role
 Receiving prescriptions
 Using computer
 Inventory control
 Taking patient information
 Filling prescriptions
 Ordering
 Compounding
 Working with a team of health care professionals

7. Evolution of the Pharmacy Technician’s
Role
 Without pharmacy technicians, pharmacists would not have
sufficient time for the duties involved in “pharmaceutical care.”
 Pharmacy technicians do not have the skill or the training or
the legal accountability to do them.
 Pharmaceutical Care functions include:
 Counseling patients and reviewing medication profiles.
 Monitoring for side effects and adverse reactions.
 Screening patients for disease.
 Discussing cost-effective drug therapy options with the
prescriber.

8. Pharmacy Technicians
As of 2008, there are 326,300 Pharmacy Technicians
employed in the U.S.
By 2018, the demand will increase by 31%.

9. Work Environments and Conditions
 Employment for Pharmacy Technicians
 Community pharmacies (i.e., drugstores) are the
most common workplace.
 Hospital pharmacies are the second most common
work place.
 Others
 Home healthcare and long-term care facilities .
 Specialized area of practice (e.g., nuclear pharmacy)
with additional training.
 Mail order and internet Rx.
 Pharmaceutical wholesale.

10. The Pharmacy Technicians
 Scope of practice
 What individuals may and may not do in their
jobs.
 Pharmacists dispense, counsel, and advice
physicians on drug related issues.
 Pharmacy Tech assist pharmacists in areas where
pharmacists skills or expertise is not required.
 Job Description is written a document that states
the specific responsibilities and tasks for pharmacy
technicians which differs by settings.

11. Personal Standards
 Dependable
 Performing the job as required.
 Showing up on time.
 Do what is required.
 Detail oriented
 Drugs are dangerous substances if not properly
handled.
 Small mistake can lead to death of a person.
 Trustworthy
 Confidentiality of patient information.
 Access to habit forming drugs/drug with abuse
potential.
 Access to expensive drug products.

12. Personal Standards
 Health
 Has to be in good health or ease of making mistakes,
contracting diseases.
 Hygiene
 Deals with several people, patients and customers
 Professional image.
 Appearance
 White lab jacket, grooming, badge, etc.

13. Characteristics
A successful pharmacy technician must possess a wide
range of skills, knowledge, and aptitudes.
Broad knowledge of pharmacy practice that includes:
 Good Mathematics and problem solving skills
 Language and medical terminology - excellent
communication skills
 Computer skills
 Interpersonal skills - dedication to providing a critical
healthcare service to customers and patients
 high ethical standards, willingness to follow
instructions
 eagerness to learn

14. Characteristics
A successful pharmacy technician must possess
a wide range of skills, knowledge, and
aptitudes.
 Good research skills.
 Ability to perform accurately and calmly in hectic
or stressful situations.
 Ability to multi-task or work on several projects at
the same time.

15. Health Insurance Portability &
Accountability Act (HIP AA) - 1996
 Refers to privacy and security of patient health
related data.
 Made health care providers responsible for the
privacy and security of all identifiable patient
health information
 Called Protected Health Information – PHI.
 Apply to various formats including
 Electronic data, computer files, electronic
transmission.
 Paper and hard copy documents.
 Oral communication, or billing and claims.

16. Health Insurance Portability &
Accountability Act (HIP AA)- 1996
 NO casual discussion with anyone about a patient
data.
 Includes patient’s family member, Patient’s
friends, etc. without the patient’s permission/
after signing a waiver.
 NO discussion regarding topics including Medications
and Health issues.
 Making sure files and documents are securely
stored where no unauthorized person can access
them.

17. Education and Licensing Requirements
 In the past, on-the-job training (training in the
workplace) was sufficient for the tech working in a
pharmacy.
 Now, formal technician training programs train
pharmacy technicians for their expanded roles.
 Initially centered in hospitals, now many programs
are offered by community colleges and vocational
and technical schools.

18. Education and Licensing Requirements
 ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
 Developed a model curriculum to meet the needs of all
practice settings.
 In some states pharmacy technicians must be certified to
practice.
 250 accredited schools and institutions by ASHP.
 Performance review
 A performance review by an employer based on the job
description.
 An employer is legally responsible for pharmacy tech
performance and competency.

19. Evolution of the Pharmacy Technician’s Role
 The essential differences in the duties of a
pharmacist and a technician involve:
 Accountability and legal responsibility.
 Making decisions about the patient’s healthcare.
 Most state boards of pharmacy recognize the
existence and importance of the pharmacy
technician.
 Each state board of pharmacy regulates:
 The activities of pharmacy technicians.
 The ratio of pharmacy techs to pharmacists .

20. Competency
Being qualified and capable and done in various ways.
 Testing – written test or/and practical demonstration
to show competency.
 Performance is evaluated by an employer.
 Includes performance reviews, comments by your
supervisor, and complaints.

21. Competency
 Continuing Education
 An instructional program on new drugs and other
pharmacy practice to keep knowledge updated.
 Probation Period
 The time the pharmacy tech is expected to learn
certain skills sets and is usually 6 months.
 Leads to either permanent employee or dismissal
from the job.

22. Certification
 A legal proof or a document that an individual meets
certain standards provided by a neutral professional
organization.
 Two certification bodies:
1. PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
offers a National Examination to become a CPhT
(Certified Pharmacy Technician).
2. ICPT (Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) offers
a National Examination to become ExCPT.

23. As of 2010,
PTCB certified 363,000 pharmacy
technicians.

24. Certification
 Certification must be renewed:
 Every 2 years just like the pharmacist license
 Certifications require “continuing Education”, 20
contact hours
 Of these, one hour in pharmacy law every 2 years.

25. The Pharmacy Technician Exam
(PTCE)
 Length – 90 minutes, all multiple questions, computerize
test.
 To take the examination, a pharmacy tech must
 Complete high school or have a GED.
 NEVER have been convicted of a felony.
 Tests in areas of:
 Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients (66%).
 Medication distribution (22%).
 Inventory control systems of pharmacy operations
(12%).
 Score – 650 out of 900 points.

26. The Exam for the Certification of
Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
 Contains 110 multiple choice questions.
 To take the examination, a pharmacy tech must
 Complete high school or have a GED.
 NEVER been convicted of a felony.
 Must be 18 years old.
 Test areas:
 Regulations and technician duties (25%).
 Drugs and drug products (23%).
 Dispensing process (52%).

27. Pharmacy Technician Examination
Contact Information
PTCE ExCPT
2536 S Old Hwy 94, Suite
2215 Constitution Ave, NW 224
Washington, DC 20037 St. Charles, MO 63303
(202) 429-7596 (314) 442-6775

28. Terms to Remember
1. Certification
2. Competent
3. Confidentiality
4. Inventory
5. Personal inventory
6. Professionals
7. Scope of practice
8. Technicians