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Want to Become a Pharmacy Technician? The Skills Hiring Managers Look For.

From now through 2031, pharmacy technician jobs are expected to increase by about five percent. In fact, the healthcare industry as a whole is expected to grow by seven percent by 2028. This means that you will have competition for pharmacy techs trying to break into the industry. One way to beat the competition is to possess the technical and soft skills hiring managers in this industry are looking for. These skills range from attention to detail to talking with people and performing basic math. 

In today’s blog, we’ll go over how a pharmacy technician certificate can give you the in-demand skills hiring managers throughout the United States are looking for. After all, recruiters only take six to seven seconds to view a resume. Stand out with the skills that make you a shoo-in for the job!

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do? 

A pharmacy technician works under the direct supervision of the pharmacist on staff. Together, they work to provide exceptional customer service to their customers. 

During a typical workday, pharmacy technicians are responsible for: 

  • Labeling bottles
  • Counting/measuring medication 
  • Data entry and processing co-pays/payments
  • Verifying a customer’s insurance information 
  • Ordering supplies and stocking shelves with new inventory
  • Explaining directions to customers
  • Answering medication-related questions
  • Safely disposing of expired medications

The pharmacy technician will also address any insurance-related issues with the insurance company, if necessary. 

Where Can You Work as a Pharmacy Technician? 

Today, pharmacy technicians are more in demand than ever before. As such, you will have your pick of establishments where you can work. 

Pharmacy technician opportunities that are available include:

  • Box chain retailers
  • Drug stores
  • Hospitals, and nursing homes. Each of these offers flexible schedules. For example, pharmacy technicians working in a retail establishment, like a big box chain or grocery store, tend to work 8-12 hour days, including days and evenings. So if you’re pursuing nursing school or pharmacy school, a schedule like this will be highly accommodating. 

Since telehealth has become the norm in recent years, pharmacy technicians can work from home, depending on the company they work for. 

Technical Skills You’ll Learn With a Pharmacy Technician Program 

When you enroll in a pharmacy technician program, you’ll learn the basics – and then some – for becoming a pharmacy technician. Such technical skills you’ll learn include: 

  • How amber bottles are used and why
  • How to prepare ingredients via mortar and pestle
  • The importance of wearing personal protective equipment and how to do so correctly
  • How to safely prepare, handle, and dispose of syringes and needles
  • How to prepare 31-day blister cards and fill out inventory forms 
  • How to correctly use a counting tray, spatula, and pocket scale

Most importantly, you’ll learn about the generic and brand names of medications, as well as a variety of different products, including those with cream, jelly, and ointment bases, tablets, vials, and placebo capsules. Furthermore, you’ll learn about how to properly label them.

These technical skills allow you to work independently within the pharmacy, while under the supervision of the on-duty pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians are invaluable in the pharmaceutical industry, as they work to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers. 

Soft Skills Hiring Managers Are Looking For

Whereas hard skills can be measured (as in a pharmacy technician demonstrating their knowledge and ability to properly label bottles), soft skills are those that demonstrate an employee’s ability to communicate well and interact with others. 

As a pharmacy technician, you will be communicating and engaging with customers daily. This requires excellent people skills, especially if there are issues with someone getting their medication. As with all health-related industries, emotions tend to run high. As such, pharmacy technicians need to possess proper listening and conflict management skills to de-escalate situations, should they arise. 

Furthermore, pharmacy technicians working in this industry should be able to possess the ability to multitask, follow directions, and work in a team environment. These soft skills make you an ideal candidate, as these are all skills required to succeed in this position. 

Other soft skills you may want to add to your pharmacy technician resume include but aren’t limited to: 

  • Problem-solving
  • Leadership
  • Accuracy and attention to detail 
  • Ability to prioritize tasks by importance
  • Organization
  • Empathy
  • Integrity

Integrity is an important one, as you’ll be expected to protect patient privacy via HIPPA. A good rule of thumb is to scan the job listing for keywords that describe your experience and skill level and incorporate them into your resume. These buzzwords will draw the hiring manager’s eye and help you get noticed! 

How to Enroll in Pharmacy Technician Schools

Now that you know what opportunities can be awarded to you as a pharmacy technician, let’s take a look at how you can enroll in a pharmacy technician program. 

Your first step will be to find a school that offers flexible courses to meet your availability and provide you with the hard and soft skills you need to thrive in this industry. At Bryan University, you will cover a variety of topics, including but not limited to Pharmacy Calculations, Introduction to Pharmacy Science, and Pharmacy Technique Procedures.

In addition to all of this, Bryan University’s accredited pharmacy technician program also gives you six credits that can be used toward your externship hours, which you’ll need to complete to start working. Our pharmacy technician program can be taken completely online and can be completed in as little as 16 weeks, with two 8-week courses taken simultaneously. 

Begin Your Exciting Career as a Pharmacy Technician Today! Contact the Admissions Team at Bryan University to Get Started! 

There’s never been a better time to advance your career in this rewarding industry! Bryan University is one of the top pharmacy technician schools in the United States. In addition to the courses that will set you up for success, you’ll advance your skills and sharpen your knowledge through our externship program. This program prepares you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam. 

With Bryan University, you’ll gain the technical and soft skills needed to catch an employer’s eye. Your rewarding and in-demand career as a pharmacy technician begins with a call to Bryan University: 1-888-768-6861. Contact us to request more information

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