This occupation is part of the Healthcare Practitioner and Technical cluster
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About the Job
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
It is also Called
- Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- Drug Coordinator
- IV Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmaceutical Care Associate
- Pharmacist Assistant
- Pharmacist Technician
- Pharmacy Laboratory Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacy Technologist
What They Do
- Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
- Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
- Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications, and type and affix labels.
- Mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.
- Clean and help maintain equipment or work areas and sterilize glassware, according to prescribed methods.
- Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CR.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Realistic environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Support and Achievement in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Additional Resources
- California Occupational Guide - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $39,150 with most people making between $27,310 and $52,890
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 29,000 people in California. It is projected that there will be 38,600 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 960 openings due to growth and about 500 replacement openings for approximately 1,460 total annual openings.
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