What Does a Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Do?

Costco Wholesale is a membership-only warehouse club that offers a wide variety of products and services at discounted prices. It is one of the largest retailers in the world, with over 700 locations in the United States and Canada.

A Pharmacy Technician at Costco Wholesale is responsible for providing customer service and support to customers in the pharmacy department. They assist customers with prescription refills, answer questions about medications, and process payments. They also help to maintain the pharmacy inventory, stock shelves, and prepare medications for dispensing. Pharmacy Technicians must have excellent customer service skills and be knowledgeable about medications and pharmacy operations.

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

A Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Assist pharmacists in providing medication and other health care products to customers, accurately and efficiently
• Receive prescriptions from customers, verify accuracy of information, enter data into the computer system, and process payments
• Answer customer inquiries regarding medications, over-the-counter drugs, and other health care products
• Maintain pharmacy inventory by restocking shelves, checking expiration dates, and removing outdated items
• Prepare prescription labels for medications, including dosage instructions and patient information
• Assist with compounding and packaging medications as needed
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to pharmacy operations
• Provide excellent customer service, responding promptly to customer inquiries and complaints
• Monitor and maintain records of controlled substances
• Follow safety protocols when handling hazardous materials
• Participate in continuing education programs to stay up-to-date on new developments in the field
• Perform administrative tasks such as filing paperwork and updating patient profiles

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Salary

The salary of a Pharmacy Technician at Costco Wholesale is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s qualifications, experience, and education. Additionally, the location of the store and the demand for the position can also affect the salary. Other factors such as the cost of living in the area, the company’s budget, and the current market rate for the position may also play a role in the salary of a Pharmacy Technician at Costco Wholesale.

• Median Annual Salary: $41,316 ($19.86/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $49,500 ($23.8/hour)

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Job Requirements

To be hired as a Pharmacy Technician at Costco Wholesale, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in a pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required. Applicants must also have a valid pharmacy technician certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Additionally, applicants must be able to pass a background check and drug screening.

Costco Wholesale also requires that all pharmacy technicians complete a training program approved by the state board of pharmacy. This program must include at least 600 hours of instruction and must be completed within two years of hire. Upon completion of the program, pharmacy technicians must pass a state-administered exam to become certified.

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Skills

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Insurance Billing and Reimbursement: Pharmacists and technicians at Costco work with insurance companies to process claims and reimbursements for customers. This requires knowledge of insurance terminology and processes, as well as the ability to communicate with customers about their insurance coverage. Technicians may also be responsible for entering insurance information into the pharmacy’s computer system.

Attention to Detail: Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes in a situation. As a pharmacy technician, you need to have excellent attention to detail to ensure you fill prescriptions accurately and correctly. This can help you avoid dispensing the wrong medication or filling a prescription for someone else. It can also help you identify potential errors in the system and prevent them from occurring.

Compound Medications: Pharmacists and technicians often work together to compound medications for customers. This involves combining different ingredients to create a medication. This is a complex skill that requires attention to detail and knowledge of the ingredients.

Prescription Transcription: Pharmacists and technicians often transcribe prescriptions for customers. This involves reading a doctor’s handwriting and writing the prescription in a legible format. Pharmacists may also ask technicians to transcribe medical records for patients. Transcription skills can help you learn to decipher handwriting and improve your writing.

Inventory Management: Inventory management is the ability to track and organize the products a company has in stock. Pharmacy technicians use this skill to ensure they have the right amount of medications and other products in stock. This is an important skill for a pharmacy technician to have because it ensures customers receive the products they need.

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Work Environment

Pharmacy technicians at Costco Wholesale typically work 40 hours per week, with shifts that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. The work environment is fast-paced and requires excellent customer service skills. Pharmacy technicians must be able to multitask and work well under pressure. They must also be able to accurately and quickly process customer orders and answer customer questions. Pharmacy technicians must also be able to work with a variety of computer systems and software programs.

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician employees work.

Automation

Automation is becoming increasingly important in the pharmacy industry. Automated systems are being used to streamline processes, reduce errors, and improve efficiency. For Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technicians, this means that they must be familiar with automated systems such as robotic dispensing machines, barcode scanners, and computerized prescription processing software.

Automation also allows for more accurate tracking of medications, which can help prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety. As automation continues to become more prevalent in the pharmacy industry, it is essential for technicians to understand how these systems work and how to use them effectively.

The Increase of Pharmacy Technicians

The demand for pharmacy technicians is on the rise due to an aging population and increased access to healthcare. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for helping pharmacists fill prescriptions, manage inventory, and provide customer service.

At Costco Wholesale, pharmacy technicians must be knowledgeable about medications, have excellent communication skills, and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. As technology advances, pharmacy technicians will need to stay up-to-date with new software and systems used by pharmacies. Additionally, they will need to understand how to use automated dispensing machines and other tools that help streamline the process of filling prescriptions.

The increase of pharmacy technicians is important for the future of work because it allows pharmacists to focus more on patient care while still providing efficient services.

Expanding Role

The role of the Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician is expanding as technology advances. As more customers turn to online ordering and delivery, pharmacy technicians are now responsible for managing customer orders, verifying prescriptions, and providing customer service. Additionally, they must be knowledgeable about insurance plans and regulations in order to ensure accuracy when filling prescriptions.

The increasing demand for pharmacy services has also led to an increase in job opportunities for pharmacy technicians. With their expanded roles, pharmacy technicians can provide a valuable service to customers while helping to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This trend will continue to grow as technology advances and more customers rely on online ordering and delivery.

Advancement Prospects

Pharmacy technicians at Costco Wholesale can advance their careers by taking on additional responsibilities and learning new skills. As they gain experience, they may be able to move up to a supervisory role, such as a pharmacy manager or assistant manager. They may also be able to move into a specialized role, such as a compounding technician or a medication therapy management technician. With additional training, they may also be able to become a certified pharmacy technician, which can open up more opportunities for advancement.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Costco Wholesale Pharmacy Technician interview questions and answers.

1. What kind of people do you get along with best?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would fit in with their team. They may ask this to see how well you work with others and your personality type. To answer, think about which coworkers you’ve had the most positive experiences with. Try to focus on people who have similar personalities to yourself.

Example: “I get along best with people who are hardworking, friendly and kind. I enjoy working with a team that is supportive of one another and always willing to lend a helping hand. In my last position, I worked with a great group of people who were all very personable. We often helped each other out when we needed it, and I learned a lot from them.”

2. Do you have experience working in the pharmacy field?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. If you have relevant experience, share what skills you gained from that job that will be helpful in this role.

Example: “I worked as a pharmacy technician at my local hospital for three years before applying here. During that time, I learned valuable customer service skills and developed my ability to work with others on tight deadlines. I also became familiar with many different types of medications and medical equipment, which has helped me become more knowledgeable about the products Costco Wholesale Pharmacy carries.”

3. How many hours per week can you commit to working?

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy technicians work a standard 40-hour week. However, the hours can vary depending on the time of year and other factors. Costco is looking for candidates who are willing to commit to working full weeks. When answering this question, be honest about your availability. Explain that you will do everything in your power to make sure you’re able to work all scheduled shifts.

Example: “I am available to work any shift at any time. I understand that there may be times when my schedule needs to change due to company needs or unexpected circumstances. If that happens, I would do whatever it takes to ensure I’m still meeting my obligations as an employee.”

4. Tell me about a time where you helped someone solve a problem they were having.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you interact with others. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively and willingness to help others.

Example: “At my last job, I was helping an older gentleman who had questions about his medication. He told me he was having trouble remembering when to take his pills, so I helped him set up reminders on his phone for when to take each dose. This allowed him to remember his medications more easily and avoid missing doses.”

5. How would you feel about occasionally having to lift heavy objects?

Costco Wholesale Pharmacy technicians may occasionally have to lift heavy objects, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this. If you’ve never done it before, consider asking what kind of objects you might be lifting and how often.

Example: “I’m happy to do whatever is necessary for the job, but I would prefer not to lift extremely heavy objects on a regular basis. I can perform other tasks while someone else lifts the heavier items if needed.”