Pharmacy technician trainees work with certified technicians to gain hands-on experience. Short-term degree programs are available, with completion of practical training a requirement. Duties include filling prescriptions and updating records. Trainee positions serve as an extension of classroom learning and offer a valuable bridge to career advancement.
A pharmacy technician trainee works closely with certified pharmacy technicians to gain the hands-on experience needed for this professional field. Many professional schools or community colleges have short-term degree programs that prepare enrolled students for a pharmacy technician career. Completion of a period of practical training is usually a requirement for graduation from one of these programs. Common job duties of a pharmacy technician include greeting customers, looking up drug information in a database program, and filling basic prescriptions. Interns can also answer customer inquiries over the phone and update prescribing information on the computer system.
Some pharmacy technician positions may be available to high school graduates in some regions, although other areas may require current enrollment in a professional pharmacy technician program. One of these degree programs usually lasts one to two years, and many of them require a certain number of hours worked in a trainee position. This requirement generally serves as a pharmacy technician internship and in preparation for any certification required to function as a pharmacy technician after graduation. A trainee position often serves as an extension of classroom learning, in which pharmacy technology students are able to apply their new knowledge in areas such as dosage calculation and basic medicine chemistry. Another important set of skills acquired in a trainee program concerns how to communicate effectively with multiple clients.
Working as a Pharmacy Technician Intern gives you the opportunity to become familiar with common practices and procedures that a certified technician needs to follow. Interns often learn how different medications are organized and stored in the pharmacy. Certain types of medication may need to be stored at lower temperatures in a refrigeration unit, and sometimes an intern may be assigned a double check for proper storage. Pharmacy interns also assist in updating records and dispensing the required amounts of medication to each customer. Some interns are also responsible for verifying prescribing information with physicians and health insurance companies when necessary.
This type of hands-on experience is generally considered a valuable bridge to career advancement for a pharmacy technician trainee. It offers a chance to experience the everyday working environment in this customer service oriented healthcare field. Even if a trainee is not offered permanent employment at the same pharmacy upon completion of training, supervisors can often be good references for recent graduates looking for similar job positions at other pharmacies.
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