Pharmacy Technician FAQ
Q. Do I need any qualifications or experience to become a Pharmacy Technician?
Yes, to become a pharmacy technician requires the successful completion of an ASHP-approved pharmacy technician school or training program. An alternative is the completion of at least 1,500 hours of training and experience as a registered pharmacy technician-in-training who is employed in a Nevada licensed pharmacy, under the supervision of a managing pharmacist.
Q. What do Pharmacy Technicians do?
- Receive, document, and prepare prescriptions for patients in the community and institutional pharmacy settings.
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Use technology to help maintain accurate patient records, prepare and package medications, and place orders.
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Screen prescription orders for accuracy and completeness
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Prepare prescriptions - retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and compound medications
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Use extemporaneous and sterile compounding procedures to prepare medications for patients, including creams, ointments, capsules, and chemotherapy drugs.
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Maintain pharmacy safety by adhering to infection-control procedures, policies, and regulations following USP 797 and USP 800 policy standards.
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Complete patient paperwork and insurance processing related to the filling of prescriptions
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Perform calculations related to the filling of prescriptions.
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Provide excellent customer service to patients and their families.
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Maintain customer information and documentation according to HIPAA privacy guidelines.
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Act as an advocate for patients by performing medication reconciliation and acting as a liaison with other healthcare professionals.
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Maintain inventory of medications in the pharmacy.
Q. What are the requirements to become a Pharmacy Technician?
The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy requires all applicants to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Pharmacy Technicians are required to have a Nevada State Board of Pharmacy License, which must be renewed every two years.
Q. How much does a Pharmacy Technician make?
An entry-level Pharmacy Technician typically makes between $26,000 and $36,000 per year, while the average salary for a Pharmacy Technician in Nevada is around $38,000 per year.
Q. Is there any difference between online and on-campus Pharmacy Technician programs?
On-campus or blended programs allow students to perform the operations of a pharmacy technician in a hands-on environment. This allow students to practice and perfect the skills needed to fill and compound medications properly for use in a community or institutional pharmacy setting.
On-campus or blended programs also allow students to interact with their instructors and build better connections with other Pharmacy Technicians and students for their future careers.
