Pharmacy Techs: How to Build a Great Relationship with the Pharmacist

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Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician? You’ll want to know all about the job and your responsibilities. But equally as important as learning how to interact with patients, will be learning how to build a great relationship with the pharmacist. Here’s how:

Know your stuff: You want to be respected, right? Then train to become a pharmacy technician. Make sure you know the medications and prescriptions you’ll interact with every day. Understand drug distribution systems and pharmacy calculations, and how to prepare sterile dosages. Know the laws and ethics that apply to your profession, but also to the healthcare field, as a whole. The more you know, the more the pharmacist will appreciate your ability  and trust you as an assistant and technician.

Get certified: Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but certification offers proof that you are a qualified pharmacy technician. A certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies will cover:

·         Pharmacist and patient assistance

·         Medication maintenance and inventory control

·         Administration and management of the pharmacy practice

·         Regulations and laws affecting the pharmacy profession

Certification will give you—and the pharmacist you work with—confidence in your abilities.

Ask questions: Even with all that knowledge, no one expects you to know everything on your first day on the job. If you want to build a great relationship with the pharmacist, make sure to ask questions. It will demonstrate your interest and show that you’re always willing to learn more.

Be a team player: The goal of anyone on a healthcare team is to serve the patient. If you can remember that important rule, your pharmacist will know you have the best intentions. But you also need to be willing to step up and help out when you’re needed most. That might mean taking on an extra shift or just asking what can I do to help?

Be helpful and pleasant: Whether you’re dealing with the pharmacist, your coworkers, or patients, everyone will appreciate a positive and pleasant attitude.

The Pharmacy Technician Program at Charter College will teach you the fundamentals of the profession and so much more. We’ll give you tips on how to work well with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. You’ll even have the opportunity to try out what you learn in the classroom when you go out on your externship. Fill out the form to find out more now.