Do you envision yourself having a career where you can help others lead healthier lives? Perhaps you’re a people-person who would do well assisting those who need guidance choosing health care products. If so, you might consider pursuing a career at a hospital or community pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician.
What is a Pharmacy Technician? As a vital part of our health care industry, Pharmacy Technicians work alongside Pharmacists and other health care professionals to make a profound difference in the well-being of other people. Successful Pharmacy Technicians boast a unique skill set, which includes work ethic, attention to detail, teamwork skills and professional knowledge.
But what makes a great Pharmacy Technician? Read on to find out!
1. Pharmacy Technicians must be detailed-oriented and meticulous
Everybody makes mistakes, but the smallest error can have great consequences when dispensing specialized prescription drugs to patients. So a Pharmacy Technician must maintain the highest standards of accuracy in his or her daily work, often while performing several tasks at a time. As a Technician, you’ll find that your duties, such as filling prescriptions, correctly labelling and categorizing stock, and verifying patients’ information, require you to be constantly vigilant to guard against errors.
2. Successful Pharmacy Technicians are excellent communicators
Working on the front lines of the health care system, Pharmacy Technicians must deal with vulnerable patients daily. So excellent people skills are a must. A good Technician will be compassionate and make patients feel at ease while also dispensing medical advice in terms that are easy to understand.
Along with the public, a good Pharmacy Technician must also communicate well with the larger health care team. Depending on their lab environment, they may deal with large teams of Technicians, Physicians, or other health care professionals. In an industry where accuracy is crucial, Pharmacy TechnicianS must ensure that drug names are written correctly, patient details are passed to other professionals correctly, and everyone along the supply chain fully understands one another.
3. Pharmacy Technicians need to keep up with technology
Advances in technology mean that the tools Pharmacy Technicians use are always changing. It is vital that these professionals keep up-to-date with the latest software, mobile applications and lab equipment—all of which will help them to work more efficiently.
4. A good Technician stays focused and energetic
It’s important to remember that to take care of other people’s health, you have to look after yourself. A Pharmacy Technician will be on their feet for large parts of the day, constantly moving between tasks. Therefore, it’s vital to keep your energy levels up. Staying healthy will also help you remain focused throughout long shifts, so it’s less likely that you will make mistakes.
5. Pharmacy Technicians never stop learning
Once you complete your program and become a Pharmacy Technician, remember to keep learning. The health care industry is always changing, with the development of new drugs and treatments, technological advances and new research.
Pharmacy Technicians must stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field. Medical and pharmaceutical journals, health blogs and training courses are all great resources for any Pharmacy Technician looking to advance their knowledge in this fast-paced, developing field. For Pharmacy Technicians, you indeed learn something new every day!
Are you seeking specialized training to learn how to be a Pharmacy Technician? Visit Stenberg for more information or to speak to an advisor.
