Hospital Pharmacy Technician

Ever wondered what having a career in healthcare looks like?

Are you also interested in the world of pharmacy, but want to be able to work in and around hospitals?

If yes, pursuing a career as a Hospital Pharmacy Technician might be for you.

Hospitals need pharmacy technicians to assist the pharmacists in dispensing medicines for patients staying in the hospital.

Even though the educational requirements for this job role are similar to pharmacy technicians in regular pharmacies and stores, the work in a hospital is quite different.

In hospitals, pharmacy technicians work with doctors and nurses, and in the local hospital pharmacy, they rarely ever interact with patients directly.

In this article, we will discuss more about hospital pharmacy technicians, how to become one, and more.

So, let’s dive right in.

What is a Hospital Pharmacy Technician?

A Hospital Pharmacy Technician is a professional who works in a hospital setting, assisting pharmacists in the preparation, dispensing, and management of medications for patients.

Their responsibilities include filling prescriptions, compounding medications, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring that medications are safely and efficiently delivered to various hospital departments.

Hospital Pharmacy Technicians also play a crucial role in inventory management, ensuring that the pharmacy has an adequate supply of medications and handling medication storage according to established guidelines.

Additionally, they may interact with healthcare professionals and provide support in areas such as medication distribution and patient education.

How to Become a Hospital Pharmacy Technician

All Pharmacy Technicians, whether they want to work in hospitals or regular pharmacies, are required to go through the same process for becoming one.

Read more: How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Here are the steps to becoming a Hospital Pharmacy Technician:

First, you must complete your high school diploma or a GED.

After that, you can either go for a formal educational program or undertake training while working.

Formal programs are mostly available in vocational schools and colleges. Some programs are short, lasting one year or less, and upon completion give you a certificate. Others take two years and offer an associate degree.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offer nationally recognized certifications.

Know more: Pharmacy Technician Certification 

You have to pass the exam to get the certification to become a Hospital Pharmacy Technician.

Once you get the certification, certain states ask for a Hospital  Pharmacy Technician license.

The rules can be different, but usually, you have to pass a test and go through a background check. Make sure you meet all the requirements to work legally in your state.

The world of pharmacy is always changing. New medicines and technologies are constantly being discovered and manufactured. To stay updated with the latest trends and keep your certification valid, it is necessary to renew the license every two years.

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do in a Hospital?

Hospital Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists give out medications to patients. In hospitals, they ensure patients get the right medicines and take them to the right places.

They also help the pharmacist make sure the pharmacy has enough medicine for everyone who needs it.

Their duties don’t just end here. Hospital Pharmacy Technicians have so much in their basket.

Let’s discuss them one by one.

Compounding and Organizing Medicine Supplies

A hospital pharmacy tech needs to learn how to mix different medicines based on what the doctor has prescribed. This helps the pharmacy make specialized doses that suit each patient’s needs.

For example, if a patient is allergic to a certain ingredient in a medicine, compounding allows a pharmacy technician to prepare that medicine without that ingredient so the patient doesn’t get sick.

Filling Patients Orders

A Hospital Pharmacy Technician’s main responsibility is to fill prescriptions written by doctors or physicians in a hospital.

Their duty also includes verifying orders and counting the right number of tablets and capsules.

Keeping Track of Medicines

Whenever the hospital gets new medicine deliveries, the Hospital Pharmacy Tech helps in stocking and checking if the amount matches what they ordered. They also need to keep a count on the medicines regularly to make sure they have enough stock.

Helping with Administrative Tasks

Hospital Pharmacy Techs also have office jobs. They answer the phone and talk to doctors, nurses, and other staff. After filling a prescription, the Hospital Pharmacy Tech writes down the information in the patient’s records.

Top 3 Skills Required to Become a Hospital Pharmacy Tech

Now that you know everything about hospital pharmacy techs, you might be wondering what skills are required to become one.

We’ve got you covered with that today.

1. Attention to Detail:

Precision and accuracy are paramount in the role of a Hospital Pharmacy Technician. They must carefully measure and dispense medications, ensuring the correct dosage and medication are provided to each patient. Attention to detail is crucial to avoid errors that could potentially harm patients and compromise their well-being.

2. Communication Skills:

Effective communication is essential for Hospital Pharmacy Technicians. They need to collaborate with pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and patients to gather and convey crucial information. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings, ensures accurate prescription fulfillment, and supports the overall coordination of medication-related tasks within the hospital setting.

3. Organizational Skills:

Hospital Pharmacy Technicians are often responsible for managing and maintaining medication inventories. Organizational skills are vital to keeping track of stock levels, and expiration dates, and reordering supplies as needed. Efficient organization contributes to the smooth functioning of the pharmacy, minimizes the risk of medication shortages or waste, and helps meet the healthcare facility’s demands for timely and accurate medication dispensing.

Conclusion

The role of a hospital pharmacy technician is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient management of medications in healthcare settings. These professionals, working alongside pharmacists, contribute significantly to patient care through their technical expertise, attention to detail, and effective communication. By maintaining accurate medication records and staying updated on industry advancements, hospital pharmacy technicians play an essential part in promoting patient well-being and the overall effectiveness of healthcare services.

Additional Sources:
Pharmacy Technician Salary
Pharmacy Technician FAQ
Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician License vs Certification
Pharmacy Technician Requirements