The Pharmacy Assistant and Pharmacy Technician both assist the Pharmacist in maintaining and running the pharmacy area.
Both roles have similar roles within the pharmacy. The Pharmacy Assistant and Pharmacy Technician work together to obtain all vital information needed to fill prescriptions for customers. However, in most states, Pharmacy Technicians must have met minimum educational requirements.
What Does a Pharmacy Assistant Do?
A Pharmacy Assistant is responsible for greeting each customer that comes into the pharmacy, listening to their concerns, and taking the appropriate steps to assist each customer. They may also be responsible for answering phone calls and handling the cash register. Their main responsibility is customer service.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
A Pharmacy Technician may be responsible for obtaining prescription orders, answering or fielding customer queries, compounding, mixing, and producing sterile products. In many states, Pharmacy Technicians are allowed to prepare prescriptions under the supervision of the Pharmacist.
Differences Between Assistant’s and Technicians?
The main differences between a Pharmacy Assistant and Technician are certification and work experience. Generally, an individual can become a Pharmacy Technician after completing either formal or informal training as a Pharmacy Assistant, and obtaining work experience in the pharmacy. In most states, Pharmacy Technician’s must obtain either a certificate or Associate’s degree in Pharmacy Technology, while Pharmacy Assistant’s do not.
Educational and Statutory Requirements
Pharmacy Assistant’s do not need to have prior work or educational experience. However, Pharmacy Technician’s must pass state exams, become registered within the state they work and obtain yearly continuing education requirements. They must also pass state or national exams, depending on the requirements of each state. These exams require knowledge of some drugs (such as brand/generic names), basic math and algebra, medical terminology, and pharmacy law and ethics. The national Pharmacy Technician exam is in depth and may require hospital-oriented pharmacological knowledge.
What You Need to Know to Succeed
Most individuals who work as a Pharmacy Assistant are usually studying and practicing to become a Pharmacy Technician or even a Pharmacist. The Pharmacy Assistant position is generally entry-level, while the Pharmacy Technician’s position is a little more technical and advanced. Through becoming a Pharmacy Assistant, you can gain experience to further your career in the medical field, no matter what subjects or careers you are interested in.
