What interested you in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
My interest in becoming a pharmacy technician started in 2000. I joined Walgreen's as a cashier in the pharmacy. Walgreen's taught me the retail portion of being a pharmacy technician and paid for my National Certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
What physical and/or soft skills do you need to succeed?
To succeed as a pharmacy technician you must be organized, alert, observant and precise. This is a job with a lot of responsibility where errors can sometimes be a matter of life or death. In general, technicians receive written prescriptions and process insurance claim information. Then they count, weigh and measure the medication, compound pharmaceutical components, select the proper containers and prepare and apply the labels.
Pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals or long-term care facilities are also responsible for reading and documenting in patients’ charts and delivering the medications to the nursing station or to the patients themselves. In high-tech facilities, pharmacy technicians may use robotic equipment to assemble doses for each patient and dispense them when needed.
What interested you in working for Cleveland Clinic?
I came to Cleveland Clinic wanting more of this exciting career. I want to know how to make intravenous (IV) medications and to learn to compound medicines together. I wanted to see just how much I could learn.
What excites you about working as a Pharmacy Technician?
The constant learning is what excites me. Everyday there are new drugs, new developments. It is constantly changing and this makes it exciting.
What has been your most gratifying experience as a Pharmacy Technician?
Knowing that I have the knowledge to help someone or passing on my knowledge is gratifying to me.
What career options do you have as a Pharmacy Technician?
As a Pharmacy Technician that is certified, there are many options in this field. Pharmacy Technicians can work in a wide variety of settings and institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 71 percent of technicians work for retail pharmacies, drug stores or chains.
However, pharmacy technicians can also work in the military and for hospitals, nursing homes or long-term care facilities. They can also work for home health care companies, mail-order pharmacies and managed care facilities. In addition, they can work for educational or training companies, colleges or for the pharmaceutical industry as sales personnel or trainers. In fact, some pharmacy technicians go back to school and become pharmacists themselves.
What interested you in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
I wanted to work in the health field and do something that made me feel like I was making a difference.
What physical and/or soft skills do you need to have to succeed?
There is always something to do in a pharmacy, so you are always on your feet and busy. There is so much to learn; and the more you learn, the better your chances of succeeding. Being a people person and a good listener will also help you succeed. When the patients are happy with your service because you were able to attend to their issues in a courteous manner, they have a tendency to want to come back. That is very rewarding.
What advice would you give to high school students interested in becoming Pharmacy Technicians?
Have patience when caring for people. It is easy to become frustrated, but you have to put yourself in their shoes. Know your brand and generic drugs; it will help you be more efficient. Make sure to ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Lastly, always have a positive attitude!
What interested you in working for Cleveland Clinic?
Cleveland Clinic is an excellent place to work. Not only is it one of the top hospitals in the United States, it has a wonderful reputation for its education and research. All areas of Cleveland Clinic function with a “Patients First” philosophy. I like that.
What excites you about working as a Pharmacy Technician?
You learn something new everyday, and there is never a dull moment.
What has been your most gratifying experience as a Pharmacy Technician?
Making that connection with patients and seeing them as people helps them appreciate the service and in turn, it makes me appreciate my job.
What career options do you have as a Pharmacy Technician?
I have the ability to work in a variety of settings, such as outpatient pharmacy, inpatient pharmacy, and retail pharmacy. In addition, I can become a teacher, customer representative, or a Lead Pharmacy Technician.