REGISTERED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST (RPhTS)
Scope of Practice
Pharmacy technicians support a pharmacist by preparing various prescription medications for pharmacy customers. Working as a pharmacy technician can be a great way to enter the health care or pharmaceutical industry, especially if you’re planning to become a pharmacist in the future. If you want to work in healthcare but are not comfortable performing clinical tasks, pharmaceuticals might be the career path for you. Most states, however, require pharmacy techs to be certified to work with medications. Here, we describe how to earn your Registered Pharmacy Technician Specialist credentials and why it is important.
Pharmacy technician duties:
Registered Pharmacy Technician Specialists work in pharmacies and hospitals, helping pharmacists measure and prepare medications for patients. Their job responsibilities might include but are not limited to:
- Review prescription information.
- Receive prescription medication and refill requests.
- Measure, mix or compound medications.
- Label prescription bottles.
- Label, package, store and organize medications.
- Process insurance claims.
- Answer the phone and fulfill customer requests.
- Take customer information.
- Help customers find answers to basic questions about medication dosage or instructions.
Pharmacy technicians cannot, however, answer medical questions and should refer those to the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals might work closely with nurses and prepare medications in a lab. In contrast, those who work in retail pharmacies are likely to work with patients directly.
National Certification as a pharmacy technician is important:
One of the most important things you can do to improve your marketability is to pass an exam given by an industry credential national certification agency. Further, when you can show an employer a certificate; diploma; a national credential and state licensure (if applicable in your state), they are bound to take note.
In states that do not require either certification or licensure, holding a National Certification will help you stand out among the other applicants. Many national and regional retail chains have a corporate policy that requires some credentials, even if they are not required by the applicable law.
The national examination requirements for candidates include:
a)-high school diploma or GED.
b)-have no felony convictions of any type within five (5) years of applying.
c)-never had a drug or pharmacy related felony convictions at any time.
d)-on the job training OR academic training.
Most states require pharmacy technicians to be certified as they regularly work with medications that are important to a patient’s overall health. Certification also shows employers that technicians understand current medications and technologies needed to perform their job. Other benefits of becoming a registered pharmacy technician include:
- A competitive salary
- Job security
- Opportunities for career advancement
- Professional credibility and respect from peers
- Greater knowledge of pharmaceuticals
Recertifying
To recertify as a Registered Pharmacy Technician Specialist, candidates must complete a bi-annual CE in pharmacology and state new guidelines and/or protocols within the scope of practice. Candidates are also required to maintain up to date their BLS/AED certification provided by the American Heart Association.