Pharmacy Technician
Field of Study — Pharmacy
Pharmacy technicians assist in mixing and filling prescriptions and maintaining stock levels. They work under the direction and close supervision of pharmacists.
Pharmacy technicians:
- fill prescriptions with prepared drugs and compound sterile intravenous solutions (under the supervision of a pharmacist).
- mix pharmaceutical preparations under the direction and supervision of pharmacists.
- package and label drugs, chemicals and other pharmaceutical preparations.
- order and stock supplies and maintain inventory.
- compute drug charges.
- deliver prepared medications.
- clean equipment and work areas.
- sterilize bottles, beakers and other glassware according to prescribed methods.
- greet and assist patients and other healthcare professionals.
- gather and input data using a computer.
Pharmacy technicians usually work in large hospitals or retail pharmacies in the community, as well as pharmaceutical companies, federal and state institutions, and mail order pharmacies.
Educational Requirements
Students intending to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician should prepare by taking challenging high school courses in science, math and English.
A required national certification exam is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Because pharmacy technicians deal with controlled substances, they may be required to undergo background checks. Applicants without prior experience or training may be required to pass a test to determine if they have the necessary aptitude to learn the job. Some typing may be required.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Mary Washington College, Bluefield
Mary Washington College, Bristol
Mary Washington College, Charlottesville
Mary Washington College, Danville
Mary Washington College, Harrisonburg
Mary Washington College, Lynchburg
Mary Washington College, Martinsville
Mary Washington College, Roanoke
Virginia Community Colleges
Blue Ridge Community College
Central Virginia Community College
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lord Fairfax Community College, Fauquier Campus
Lord Fairfax Community College, Middleton Campus
Mountain Empire Community College
Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Center
Patrick Henry Community College
Rappahannock Community College, Glenns Campus
Southwest Virginia Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College
Virginia Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
Augusta Health Care, Inc., School of Clinical Lab Science
Greensville Memorial Hospital
Medicorp Health System
Rockingham Memorial Hospital
Williamsburg Community Hospital
Winchester Medical Center
Virginia Proprietary Schools
ACT College
Americare School of Nursing
Career Connections Education Center
Faks Allied Health Education Center
Medical Learning Center
Miller-Motte Tech College
PharmTechs R US, LLC
Professional Healthcare Institute
RSHT Training Center
Professional Associations
- American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
P.O. Box 1447
Greensboro, NC 27402
(877) 368-4771
http://www.pharmacytechnician.com - American Pharmaceutical Association
2215 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-2985
(202) 628-4410
http://www.aphanet.org