Job Demands
Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, drug and grocery stores, long-term and managed care facilities, and in mail order pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians also serve in the armed forces and as part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A technician’s work schedule may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. There are many opportunities for full and part-time work in both retail and hospital pharmacy settings.
Technical Performance Standards
Certain abilities are considered essential for student success relative to achieving the level of competency required for graduation. Potential students should carefully review the standards as detailed and are urged to inquire if clarification is needed on any of the standards.
1. Ability to read and understand printed materials used in the classroom and health care settings such as textbooks, signs, medical supply packages, drug labels, syringe demarcations, policy and procedure manuals and patient records.
2. Read and understand columns of numbers and measurement marks, count rates, tell time, use measuring tools, write numbers in records, and calculate (add, subtract, multiply, divide) mathematical information such as fluid volumes, doses, weights and measurements and prices.
3. Ability to acquire and apply information from classroom instruction, skills laboratory experiences, independent learning and group projects. Demonstrate skills for memorization, integration of concepts, abstract reasoning, multifactorial problem solving and interpreting.
4. Ability to communicate effectively in English in oral and written form with peers and instructors to complete assignments and tests, give directions, explain procedures, give oral reports, speak on the telephone and interact with others and document care. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and follow oral and written instructions. Communicate in a clear and concise manner with patients of all ages, including obtaining health history and other pertinent information.
5. Establish rapport with peers, patients/ clients, and instructors, respect individual differences and negotiate interpersonal conflicts.
6. Focus attention on task, monitor own emotions, perform multiple responsibilities concurrently, deal with the unexpected, handle strong emotions (i.e. grief, revulsion), and function as part of a team (ask advice, seek information, and share). Provide emotional support to patients as necessary.
7. Manual dexterity necessary to manipulate syringes of various sizes and insert needles into IV bag ports, vials stoppers, open ampules, pick up objects with hands, grasp small objects, write with pen or pencil and squeeze fingers.
8. Stand and maintain balance during classroom. Lab or clinical activities.
9. Bend, lift, turn, grasp and squat with a full range of motion. Tolerate working in a closed sterile environment fully covered in sterile gowns, gloves, booties, hoods and respiratory mask for minimum of 2 hours at a time.
10. Walk, reach arms above head and below waist, stoop/twist body, kneel, squat, move quickly (respond to emergency).
11. Move objects independently weighing up to 25 pounds, move heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.), squeeze with hands, use upper body strength (manipulating large syringes, opening packages, drug bottles). Transport, move, lift or transfer cases/totes of IV fluids or other medications. Manipulate a variety of pharmacy equipment to prepare/ compound medications according to established procedures.
12. Ability to read fine print on measuring devices and computer screens, see objects more than 20 feet away, recognize depths and use peripheral vision.
13. Hear auditory alarms and normal speaking level sounds.
14. Detect odors from client, smoke, gasses or noxious smells.
15. Detect temperature (skin, solutions) andenvironmental temperature (drafts, cold and hot).
