Hospitals dispense a large quantity of medications to many different patients in the course of a day. Hospital pharmacy technicians play a large role in this part of a hospital or clinic's operation; they work with the prescriptions written by doctors to ensure that caregiving staff are provided with necessary information and doses of the proper medications as required.
Pharmacy technicians organize and then execute physician's prescriptions within the pharmacy of the hospital, usually under the supervision of senior pharmacy personnel. They also help maintain and record drug inventories in the pharmacy for their supervisors, according to procedures established by the hospital. The pharmacy technician must follow organizational rules and professional ethics closely in ensuring that medications are properly administered. A hospital pharmacy technician spends most of the day on his or her feet. The position tends to be part time, with four- to six-hour shifts scheduled throughout the day and evening.
The education requirements of a pharmacy technician are usually a high school diploma and completion of training needed to earn a registered pharmacy technician certification; this certification can usually be acquired in nine to 12 months at a vocational or trade school. Larger hospitals may seek individuals with prior pharmacy tech experience at smaller clinics. The job is well suited for those with excellent organization skills and aptitude for working with inventory counts and numbers.
Hospital Pharmacy Technician Tasks
Prepare dosage medications for dispensing into bottles and unit dose packaging.
Assist in preparing and dispensing medication under direct supervision of Pharmacist.
Select, prepare and stock medications and supplies.
Collect patient information for prescription and billing.