A pharmacy technician works under a licensed pharmacist and performs various pharmacy-related functions in settings like community pharmacies and hospitals. They assist with prescriptions, medication ordering, and inventory management, with average pay ranging from $8.50 to $15+ hourly depending on certification and experience. The role serves as a foundational career path in the pharmaceutical industry, with resources available for further education and certification.

1. Pharmacy Technician Program

2. What is a Pharmacy Technician? A pharmacy technician is a person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions.

3. Where are Pharmacy Technicians employed at? Pharmacy technicians are used in a wide variety of practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, the military, in home health care, long term care, mail service facility, managed health care facilities, and educational/training programs.

4. What are some of the duties of a pharmacy technician? Assist patients in dropping off and picking up prescriptions Entering prescriptions into the computer Verify that customer receives correct prescription Compound oral solutions, ointments, and creams Medication ordering and inventories Compound large-volumes of intravenous mixtures Assisting in outpatient / inpatient dispensing Preparing IV mixtures Purchasing and billing

5. What is the average salary for a pharmacy technician? The pay of technicians depends on many factors, including PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) certification, previous experience, employment setting, area of the country, and years practicing as a pharmacy technician. The average pay ranges from $8.50 to $11.00 hourly for an uncertified technician. Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) earn $15+ hourly.

6. What knowledge, skills, training and education needed for a pharmacy technician? Professional attitude Strong communication skills Ability to work in teams Understanding of medical terminology and calculations Attention to detail Hard working Be a quick learner PTCB certification may be desired or mandatory

7. What is the growth in the pharmacy industry? Working as a pharmacy technician is a great place to start if you are interested in having a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Starting as a pharmacy technician gives the person the background training that would be necessary to become a pharmacist or other related employment in the pharmaceutical industry.

8. Pharmacy Technician Resources Pharmacy Technician Certification Board https://www.ptcb.org//AM/Tempate.cfm?Section=Home1 Arizona State Board of Pharmacy http://www.azstateboardofpharmacy.com/ University of Arizona, Downtown Phoenix Campus, College of Pharmacy http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/ Midwestern University, Glendale Arizona Campus, College of Pharmacy http://www.midwestern.edu/glendale/

9. Want more information on the Pharmacy Technician Program? Please visit our website: www.pc.maricopa.edu/cte/pharmacy.htm Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator Don Jensen-Bobadilla 602.223.4051 [email_address] Phoenix College Downtown Campus 640 N. 1 st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003