For those looking to undertake an exciting and fulfilling career, getting trained to be a pharmacy technician could be a great decision. A great pharmacy technician program will give you the skills and industry expertise you’ll need to grow and thrive in this role, as well as the technical competencies expected of pharmacy technicians by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA), with an emphasis on drug distribution systems, collaboration, safety and quality.
Are you curious about the industry expertise an excellent pharmacy technician program can impart to you? Read on to find out more!
Grads of Pharmacy Technician Courses Will Gain Comprehensive Drug Distribution Skills
One of the principal skills a pharmacy technician needs is a thorough knowledge of how to properly use and maintain various drug distribution systems, such as medication carts, infusion pumps, and automated dispensing units. With a great pharmacy technician program, students will receive plenty of instruction on how to effectively operate this equipment, as well as best practices for sterile preparations.
Some healthcare colleges also offer clinical placements which place the student into an actual work environment to receive hands-on training. There, students will be able to practice and master using these systems in the real world so that they will know exactly how and when to operate them when they become a pharmacy technician. Graduates will also learn how to appropriately prepare prescriptions, and how to cut, pack, weigh and calculate dosages in accordance with the pharmacist’s instructions.
Pharmacy Technician Diploma Programs Prepare Pros to Help Manage Their Workplace
Another important duty of a pharmacy technician is making sure that their workplace is well-managed. Pharmacy technicians will often need to make sure that drugs are properly stored, such as chilling certain drugs in a fridge, both so that they can prevent them from perishing and to ensure that they are safe for patients to use. Pharmacy technicians also need to check their stock frequently to discard any medications that have become expired, and remove any drugs that have been recalled or no longer comply with health legislation.
Making sure pharmacies are stocked according to industry regulation is crucial
Students in a pharmacy technician college course will also gain expertise in recognizing and addressing safety risks. For example, if a piece of pharmacy equipment was in danger of injuring a colleague, the technician would report that to the pharmacist. Additionally, they may need to work alongside the pharmacist to appropriately document the safety hazard, and help brainstorm different ways that those types of risks can be prevented.
Graduates of Pharmacy Technician Programs Become Expert Collaborators
Pharmacy technicians do much more than work alone in the stock room. Over the course of their day, they will need to work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, as well as other healthcare and retail professionals on occasion. As such, students in pharmacy technician courses will often learn essential communication skills so that they are capable of working not just with other members of their team, but with patients and clients as well.
Pharmacy technicians are part of a diverse inter-professional team
Apart from ensuring that drugs are both safe to use and properly packaged, pharmacy technicians will collaborate with pharmacists in promoting general health and wellness, supporting patients, and helping with disease prevention and chronic disease management. Pharmacy technicians will also be taught to respect the limitations of their occupation, and defer to the expertise of a pharmacist whenever necessary.
Are you ready to start your career as a pharmacy technician?
Register for a Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program at KLC!