How to be a Superb Pharmacy Technician

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next 10 years pharmacy technician jobs are projected to grow 20 percent, faster than all other occupations on average. Talk about job security!

At a time when many folks are still recovering from a marked economic downturn, securing steady employment within a stable market is a widely held goal.

So, now that you’ve put in the legwork and landed the highly coveted title of ‘Pharmacy Tech’, you want to make sure you solidify your place among the team, right? We’ve pooled our expertise and come up with the following tips to take you from good to great in your chosen field!

• Be on time- Sounds obvious, but with the breakneck speed at which most pharmacies run, there’s no room for tardiness.
• Always smile- Remember, people come to you for aid. You have no idea what they are dealing with on the other side of the counter. Be the bright spot in their day and never forget that what we do is always about the patient first and foremost.
• Be mindful of the details- It’s always busy during the day; however, you can avoid costly errors and double work by simply paying close attention to the details.
• Learn your medications- For instance, I had a customer who was prescribed a name brand product (combo of two meds) which was NOT covered by her insurance. However, each ingredient was available as a generic individually. We called her physician and got new scripts for the generics and they were covered!
• Know OTCs- I can’t stress this enough. Changing seasons bring in waves of allergy, cold, and flu sufferers. As drugs get back-ordered or assigned behind the counter it’s critical to stay clued in to what’s happening in the market. Also, keep in mind which OTCs require your patient to consult with a physician or pharmacist prior to taking, especially when your patient is on blood pressure medication.
• Continue your education- I can hear groans from all the way over here, but you need to practice your math every day. Also read, re-read and really learn CEs. They can provide valuable information for you to apply to your practice. Unless you simply want to broaden your skillset, you don’t need to read every single CE- only those which pertain to your category.
• Be a resource- The general public and physicians rely on your knowledge of medication. Share correct information and you’ll continuously see return visits.
• Know your boundaries- Don’t be afraid to say, “That’s a question for the pharmacist. Let me get his/her help.” Do not perform tasks that simply aren’t within your jurisdiction. These rules are set in place for the safety of everyone involved.
• Encourage patients to get involved- Help reinforce the importance of learning about their individual medication(s) and encourage them to take a leading role in their own self-care.
• Join a community pharmacy group- Becoming active in your community shows you care about your profession and can provide a huge social network. It’s all about who you know!
• Be Professional- You provide a professional service. Do not ever forget that. Take pride in your profession and care for you license.
• Be organized and clean- You’ll be surprised how much time and confusion you can save by simply creating a workflow. Leave your area clean at the end of every day. This is especially true of compounding technicians. Maintaining a clean pharmacy lab appropriate and safe for dispensing medication is critical.
• Play your strong suits- If you’re a people person, be just that! Patients want to feel welcome and offered friendly service. If you’re more of an introvert, try a long-term care pharmacy which generally requires less social interaction.
• Assist your pharmacists- You’re there to provide them support. They need you in order to be successful and productive.
• Stay Positive- You’re often the middleman between the patients and their insurance carriers. Try to provide details in a professional manner.
• Respect your colleagues- Again, seems apparent, but this one’s really key. Teamwork can make life much easier. Bad chemistry between co-workers makes for an unpleasant atmosphere for everyone, including patients.

There you have it. By integrating these simple, yet effective processes you’ll be on track to grow professionally, take on new responsibilities and cultivate job security in a quickly expanding market!