Pharmacy technician
Pharmacy technician
A Pharmacy technician (pronunciation: /ˈfɑːrməsi tɛkˈniʃən/) is a healthcare provider who performs pharmacy-related functions, generally working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Etymology
The term "Pharmacy technician" is derived from the Greek word "pharmakon" meaning "drug" or "medicine," and "technician" from the Greek "tekhne" meaning "art" or "skill."
Role and Responsibilities
Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of locations (usually in community/retail and hospital pharmacies) but can also work for long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, third-party insurance companies, computer software companies, or in government or teaching. Job duties include dispensing prescription drugs and other medical devices to patients and instructing on their use. They may also perform administrative duties in pharmaceutical practice, such as reviewing prescription requests with doctor's offices and insurance companies to ensure correct medications are provided and payment is received.
Related Terms
- Pharmacist: A healthcare professional who is a qualified expert on pharmaceutical drugs and how they interact with the body.
- Pharmacy: The science and technique of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services.
- Prescription: A health-care program implemented by a physician or other qualified health care practitioner in the form of instructions that govern the plan of care for an individual patient.
- Medication: A drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.
Education and Certification
In many countries, a person can become a pharmacy technician by completing a certificate program or associate degree. Some countries require pharmacy technicians to be registered with a regulatory body. In the United States, for example, pharmacy technicians may need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and complete continuing education requirements to maintain their certification.
See Also
- Pharmacy (shop): A shop where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold, and health advice is given.
- Pharmacology: The branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pharmacy technician
- Wikipedia's article - Pharmacy technician
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