Is There a Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians?

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All healthcare professionals must abide by a code of ethics—including Pharmacy Technicians. Ethics are the set of standards, principles, and values that guides your decisions and actions every day. When you follow a code of ethics, you build trust with patients and co-workers, ensure that patients receive safe and quality care, and uphold the integrity and reputation of your establishment and your profession.

There are actually two codes of ethics that may guide your career as a Pharmacy Technician.

Why is a Code of Ethics Important for Pharmacy Technicians?

In healthcare, patient safety is the top priority. While you won’t directly care for patients, you will dispense the medications necessary for their treatment. If a mistake is made in the process, or if medication is mishandled, it could have serious consequences for the patient as well as for your pharmacy. A code of ethics helps ensure that patients receive safe and effective care and that pharmacies are well managed. Good ethics also provide:

  • Accountability—A code of ethics holds everyone to the same standards and makes them accountable if they behave in a way that the industry disapproves.
  • Consistency—When all members of a profession follow the same code of ethics, it ensures that behavior is consistent across all facilities.
  • Integrity—When you act ethically, it builds trust among your co-workers and customers. It also enhances the reputation of your pharmacy and builds public support for your industry.

Pharmacy Technician Codes of Ethics

The first code of ethics is set by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, which administers the national pharmacy technician certification exam. The second is from the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians. If you become a member of the AAPT, you would have to follow their code of ethics as well. Both codes have similar expectations for pharmacy technicians:

Follow the Law

This means that you adhere to all local, state, and federal laws and regulations that govern Pharmacy Technicians. For instance, you are not allowed to provide instructions on how to take medication—only the pharmacist can do that.

Support Industry Organizations and the Profession

Both codes of conduct ask you support their respective organizations and uphold their policies. You should also uphold the standards of the profession and act with the utmost integrity. This means not engaging in behavior that discredits the profession and reporting behavior of others that would be considered unethical.

Respect Your Employer

Whether you work for a chain, a hospital, or a private retail pharmacy, the code of ethics demands that you respect your employer. You must support and assist the pharmacist to the best of your abilities, and value and respect the work of the pharmacist and your co-workers.

Be Responsible to the Public

As a pharmacy technician, you have a duty to serve the public responsibly. This means that you maintain a patient’s confidentiality and never disclose their medical information to anyone. You don’t knowingly distribute medication or medical devices that you believe to be unsafe. You use your credentials properly and are truthful about your knowledge and experience.

If you’re ready to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become a Pharmacy Technician, contact Charter College today. We offer a Certificate in Pharmacy Technician that can prepare you for an entry-level position in as few as 10 months. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.