Pharmacy Technician
Milan Topalov, Pharm.D. Staff Pharmacist
New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia
and Cornell
Pharmacy Technician
Entry Level Description
 Entry Level Titles: Pharmacy Associate, Pharmacy Technician
 Definition: supports the pharmacist in the physical day to day
activities of the pharmacy
Responsibilities:
1.Obtain patient/customer related information
2. Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
3. Package and label prescriptions
4. Inventory Management
5. Payment processing and insurance claims
6. Pharmacy Informatics
7. Answer phone calls from customers
8. Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about
medications or health matters
 Entry Level Salary: $25,000-$40,000
Pharmacy Technician
Career Environment
 Hospitals and Healthcare facilities (Nursing Homes)
 Retail Pharmacies (Chain Stores and Independent)
 Insurance Companies.
 Laision between providers and patients
 Nuclear Pharmacies
 Record keeping of nuclear regulatory commission
documentation
 Storage, receiving and shipping of radiopharmeuticals (Iodine
125, Thallium 201)
Pharmacy Technician
Employment Potential
 Job growth in the field is expected to increase 20%
increase between 2012 and 2022, much faster than
the average occupation*
 Pharmacists are becoming increasingly
involved in direct patient care such as Medical
Therapy Management, giving flu shots, and
inpatient rounding in hospitals
 Pharmacy Technicians are filling the void in the
technical operation of the pharmacy
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Pharmacy Technician
Requirements
 Strong problem solving skills/ computer skills
 Ability to work with pharmacists, doctors, and other healthcare
professionals
 Some general mathematical skill and ability to do dose calculations
 The ability to work in a fast paced and high pressure environment
 Basic knowledge of the medical industry and medical terminology
 Knowledge of key drug classes
 Minimum requirements High school diploma/GED
 Some states now require certification as a Pharmacy
Technician
 Many employers prefer certified technicians