Pharmacy Technician Certification and Skills Overview

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

An organization that offers a variety of advanced certifications and certificates for pharmacy technicians.

Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)

A certification that demonstrates a pharmacy technician's knowledge and skill in sterile compounding to ensure medication safety.

Immunization Administration Certificate

A certificate that requires a comprehensive understanding of how to safely deliver immunizations and carry out related tasks.

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certificate

A certification that demonstrates a technician's knowledge and skills in supporting patient care in the pharmacy.

Billing and Reimbursement Assessment-Based Certificate

A certificate that demonstrates foundational knowledge in managing billing and reimbursement in the pharmacy setting.

Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention (CSDP) Certificate

A certification that requires training in preventing the diversion of controlled substances to ensure safer patient care.

Sterile Compounding

The preparation of medications in a sterile environment to prevent contamination.

Public Health Need

The necessity to protect communities from the spread of disease through safe immunization practices.

Advanced Competency

A demonstration of a pharmacy technician's commitment to patient, pharmacy, and community safety.

Pharmacy Technician

A healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in various tasks related to medication preparation and patient care.

Pharmacist

A licensed healthcare professional responsible for overseeing pharmacy staff and ensuring safe medication practices.

Education/Training Program

A program recognized by the PTCB that is required for certain certifications, such as the Immunization Administration Certificate.

Patient Care Team

A group of healthcare professionals, including pharmacy technicians, who work together to support patient health.

Leadership Role

The ability to guide and manage pharmacy functions, particularly in billing and reimbursement.

Opioid Crisis

A public health issue that necessitates the prevention of controlled substances diversion to ensure community safety.

Pharmacy Setting

The environment in which pharmacy technicians operate, often requiring specific skills in billing and medication management.

Community Safety

The goal of minimizing risks associated with medication diversion and ensuring public health.

Patient Safety

The practice of ensuring that medications are prepared and administered without risk of harm to patients.

Specialized Knowledge Base

A set of advanced skills and knowledge that pharmacy technicians acquire through certifications.

Comprehensive Understanding

A thorough grasp of the necessary skills and knowledge to perform specific pharmacy-related tasks safely.

Pharmacy Technician's Role

To assist in medication preparation, patient care, and various administrative tasks within the pharmacy.

Pharmacists

Professionals who can specialize in various settings including community practice, ambulatory care, geriatrics, pediatrics, nuclear pharmacy, and long-term care.

Responsibilities of Pharmacists

Includes offering patient counseling on prescription medications, assisting patients to select the most appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and monitoring medication dosing and effectiveness in patients.

Pharmacy Technicians

Play a crucial role in the pharmacy and assist licensed pharmacists with pharmacy-related activities that do not require the professional judgement of the pharmacist.

Responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians

Includes receiving prescriptions or refill requests from patients or their caregivers, preparing non-sterile and sterile compounds, establishing and updating patient profiles, assisting the pharmacist in ordering prescription and OTC medications, helping patients locate OTC medications and identify the medication's ingredients, and maintaining a clean working environment within the pharmacy.

National Certification

Obtaining your national certification is essential, and there are over ten specialty certifications you can receive as a pharmacy technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Professionalism

The ability to demonstrate professionalism in the workplace involves many factors, including your skills, behavior, attributes, and appearance.

Put Patients First

Act in the best interests of your patients at all times, and treat them with kindness, respect, and empathy.

Be a Team Player

Being professional in a healthcare environment means working as part of a team and valuing the knowledge and contributions of others.

Be Honest

Recognize your limitations and ask for help when you need it, and admit to your mistakes.

Deliver Optimal Care

Keep your knowledge and skills up to date to deliver optimal care, advocate better for patients, prevent medical errors, and contribute more to the team.

Professional Appearance

Professional appearance in healthcare is important, including grooming and dressing appropriately, as these are among the first things a patient notices.

First Impressions

You will be judged by your appearance, and this first impression will affect the patient's perception of the care they receive.

Good Health Habits

A pharmacy technician should have an appearance that reflects good health habits.

Jewelry

Should be minimal with a watch, ring, and simple earrings if desired.

Colognes or scented lotions

Can be offensive to patients who are sensitive to smells.

Body piercings

Should be removed for a professional appearance.

Good personal hygiene

Mandatory for a professional appearance.

Communication skills

Needed to perform daily tasks as a pharmacy technician.

Medication delivery

A collaborative effort requiring several parties to ensure patient safety.

Communication between patient and pharmacy technician

Crucial as it may determine the treatment outcome.

Understanding medication importance

Patients are more likely to adhere to therapy if they understand why it is important.

Verbal communication

Involves words, vocal quality, inflection, and pitch that determine the meaning of the message.

Proper diction and enunciation

Required for speaking clearly and accurately.

Tips to improve verbal communication skills

Be Knowledgeable, Be Concise, Be Confident.

Nonverbal communication

Expressed through body language including eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures.

Tips to improve nonverbal communication skills

Maintain Eye Contact, Control Facial Expressions.

Written communication skills

Important in the pharmacy setting to avoid medication errors.

Types of writing for pharmacy technicians

Includes memos, e-mail messages, supply orders, and record keeping.

Written communication reinforcement

Can reinforce oral instructions or clarify misunderstandings with patients.

Critical thinking

A necessary skill for pharmacy technicians to deliver quality pharmaceutical care.

Organization skills

Essential for pharmacy technicians to manage tasks effectively.

Computer skills

Required for pharmacy technicians in the digital age.

Soft skills

Include interpersonal skills essential for effective communication.

Patient adherence

Increases when patients understand the reasons behind medication directions.

Be Detailed

Providing comprehensive and thorough information in communication.

Ask Questions

Engaging in inquiry to clarify information or gather more details.

Keeping Things in Order

Ensuring that tasks and information are systematically arranged and managed.

Tech Savvy

The ability to adapt to and utilize new technologies effectively in the pharmacy.

Critical-thinking Skills

The ability to analyze problems and make informed decisions in unfamiliar situations.

Think Quick on Your Feet

The capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to unexpected challenges.

Community Practice

The primary role of pharmacy technicians in community settings, focusing on customer service and prescription management.

Customer Service

Assisting customers with their inquiries and needs related to prescriptions.

Hospital Practice

The role of pharmacy technicians in hospitals, which includes preparing medications and managing complex healthcare demands.

Preparing Parenteral IV Mixtures

The process of creating intravenous solutions, including large-volume drips and total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Specialty Settings

Various healthcare delivery areas where trained pharmacy technicians can work, such as inpatient care and home care.

Pharmacy Technician Duties

Common responsibilities of pharmacy technicians, including prescription verification and patient referral.

Referring Patients

Knowing when to direct a patient to a pharmacist for further assistance or counseling.

Maintaining Patient Profiles

Using computer software to keep accurate and up-to-date records of patient information.

Processing Prescriptions

The tasks involved in managing and fulfilling medication orders in the pharmacy.

Ordering Medications

The process of requesting controlled and non-controlled substances for pharmacy inventory.

Filling Medication Drawers

The task of organizing and stocking medications in pharmacy carts for easy access.

Home Health Agencies

Home health is one of the fastest growing sectors of healthcare, providing services for patients ready to leave the hospital but still needing care at home.

Home Health Pharmacies

Offer durable medical supplies, oxygen, wound care, prescription medications, nutritional therapy, and IV therapy.

Home Infusion Pharmacy

Provides intravenous (IV) therapy that some home health patients need to complete their recovery.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

A national agency for pharmacy education programs recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

A national pharmacy organization that represents the interest of pharmaceutical education and educators.

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT)

A pharmacy technician organization that provides leadership and promotes the interest of its members.

Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians

Published by the AAPT, it outlines the ethical standards for pharmacy technicians.

American Pharmacist Association (APhA)

The largest national pharmacy organization, advocating for pharmacists and addressing essential pharmaceutical care issues.

Journal of American Pharmacist Association

A publication by APhA that shares research and developments in pharmacy.

American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)

Represents pharmacy personnel in hospitals and other institutions, and is a national accrediting organization for pharmacy residency and technician programs.

National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)

The largest professional pharmacy technician association dedicated to advancing the value and roles of pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination

Published by the PTCB, it assesses the competency of pharmacy technicians.

Durable Medical Supplies

Medical equipment that provides therapeutic benefits to patients, often used in home health care.

IV Therapy

Intravenous therapy used to deliver medications and fluids directly into a patient's bloodstream.

Nuclear Medicine

A medical specialty that uses radioactive substances for diagnosis and treatment.

Chemotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

Pharmaceutical Education

The field of study focused on training individuals in the principles and practices of pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technician Roles

Duties include ordering equipment, compounding IV medications, and ensuring patient safety.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Organizations that provide health insurance coverage through a network of providers.

Wound Care

The management and treatment of wounds to promote healing.

Nutritional Therapy

The use of nutrition to manage health conditions and promote recovery.

Technician Certification Examination (PTCE)

A timed, computerized exam taken by any pharmacy technician looking to obtain certification in the United States.

Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTCE)

An association that looks to prepare individuals for careers as pharmacy technicians.

Certifications and Exam Competencies

Standards established by the American Society of Heath-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) for pharmacy technicians to follow in training and in practice.

State Registration

The requirement for those looking for employment as a pharmacy technician to register with the State Board of Pharmacy, typically involving an application, background check, and registration fee.

PTCB Exam

The exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

ExCPT Exam

The exam administered by the National Health career Association (NHA) for pharmacy technician certification.

PTCB-Recognized Training Program

A program required by the PTCB for all candidates to complete or have equivalent work experience to be eligible to take the exam.