Health Careers
Pharmacy Technician
Professional Activities
Pharmacy Technicians work under the direction of a Pharmacist. Duties include: checking for authenticity, accuracy, and completeness of prescriptions/physicians orders; filling and labeling of prescriptions; prepackaging tablets/capsules; preparing solutions for IV additives or irrigations; making other sterile or high-risk medications; delivering medications to areas; maintaining drug inventories; and maintaining all records and files. In retail pharmacy settings the Pharmacy Technician may deal directly with customers, handle insurance forms, and run a cash register.
Pharmacy Technicians work wherever Pharmacists are employed. In rural Alaska they may be employed by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private and chain drug stores, and research laboratories.
Educational Requirements
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
- Math proficiency (pre-algebra), keyboarding proficiency, and computer proficiency.
- Must have an active Alaska State Pharmacy Technician License.
Academic Programs
Training has traditionally been on-the-job. However, more pharmacies are looking for formally trained Pharmacy Technicians for improved customer quality and safety and to meet the immediate shortage.
UAA offers an Occupational Endorsement Certificate in Pharmacy Technology which includes five 3-credit courses. This series of courses includes an introduction to the field of pharmacy, pharmacology I and II, pharmacy practice (both retail and hospital), and an in-depth look at pharmacy math. At the completion of these five 3-credit courses, students would be adequately prepared to pass the national certification examination administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). For more information about the National Certification Examination see: http://www.ptcb.org. For more information on the UAA Pharmacy Technician Program contact:
Pharmacy Technology
University of Alaska, Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, AHS 161
Anchorage, AK 99508-4614
Phone: (907)786-6928
Fax: (907) 786-6938
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/alliedhealth/pharmacy/index.cfm
Contacts
State Contacts:
For licensing information, contact:
State of Alaska
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing, Board of Pharmacy
PO Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811
Phone: (907) 465-2589
Fax: (907) 465-2974
Email:
Web site: http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/ppha.htm
Alaska Pharmacists Association
203 W. 15th Ave. #100
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 563-8880
Fax: (907) 563-7880
Email:
Web site: http://www.alaskapharmacy.org
National Contact:
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
1100 15th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 628-4410
Toll free: (800) 237-2742
Fax: (202) 783-2351
Web site: http://www.aphanet.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on June 30, 2008
