As a high school student considering future careers, I'm interested in the pharmacy field. Can anyone explain the duties of a pharmacy technician at CVS and what training or certifications might be needed?
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in pharmacies like CVS. They assist pharmacists with a variety of tasks, ensuring that operations run smoothly. Their duties include the following:
- Receiving prescription requests: Pharmacy technicians assist in managing the process of receiving prescriptions from patients or electronic prescription services.
- Preparing medications: They count, label, and sometimes mix medications, and provide these prepared prescriptions to patients after the pharmacist checks them.
- Customer service: Handling queries about medications from patients and communicating with healthcare professionals often falls within a pharmacy technician's scope of duties.
- Managing inventory: Pharmacy technicians also stock shelves and monitor the inventory of medications, requesting additional stock when necessary.
From an educational perspective, most states require pharmacy technicians to have a high school diploma or equivalent. In terms of certification, while not all states mandate it, having a certification can enhance job prospects. Two popular certifications are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Each certification has its requirements. For instance, for PTCE, the candidate needs a high school diploma and must disclose any criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions. In addition, passing a certifying exam is necessary.
Do note that field experience, through an internship or a similar role, can be beneficial in gaining first-hand exposure and knowledge in this profession. Various vocational schools and community colleges offer programs to prepare pharmacy technicians, some of which include hands-on training opportunities.
Keep in mind, though, that requirements can vary from state to state. I suggest checking your state's specific regulations concerning pharmacy technicians.
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