What Does a CVS Pharmacy Technician Do?

Pharmacy technicians are an integral part of the pharmacy team. They work closely with pharmacists to ensure that patients receive safe and effective medications in a timely manner.

Pharmacy technicians perform a wide range of tasks, including counting and sorting pills, preparing prescriptions for filling, packaging medications, and performing other duties as directed by their pharmacist supervisors.

CVS Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Cvs pharmacy technicians have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Help customers choose medications that are safe for them to take, including avoiding interactions with other medications they may be taking
• Answer customers’ questions about medications and other health products such as over-the-counter drugs and vitamins
• Maintain inventory of store items and restock shelves as needed
• Provide customers with information about prescription drug coverage options available through government programs such as Medicare Part D or private insurance companies
• Take orders over the phone or in person from physicians’ offices or other healthcare providers who are prescribing medications
• Prepare and process prescriptions according to state laws regarding the storage of controlled substances
• Answer phones and respond to inquiries about prescription refills and other customer service issues
• Register new patients for insurance plans or membership with the store’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM)
• Inform customers about drug interactions, side effects, and other risks associated with taking medications

CVS Pharmacy Technician Salary & Outlook

CVS pharmacy technicians are typically paid hourly wages, and their salaries can vary depending on a number of factors.

• Median Annual Salary: $41,500 ($19.95/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $54,500 ($26.2/hour)

The employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

As the large baby-boom population ages and people stay healthy longer, demand for pharmacy services is expected to increase. Pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill prescriptions for older patients with multiple medical conditions. In addition, technological advances in medicine are expected to increase the need for pharmacy technicians to help pharmacists provide more efficient care.

Related: 25 CVS Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions and Answers

CVS Pharmacy Technician Job Requirements

To become a CVS pharmacy technician, one must complete the following:

Education: Most employers require a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of one year of experience in a pharmacy. Some employers prefer a two-year associate degree in pharmacy technology.

Training & Experience: Pharmacy technicians receive on-the-job training from their employers. This training may include learning the store’s inventory, how to use the point-of-sale system and how to operate the pharmacy’s cash register. Training may also include learning how to prepare and dispense medications, how to clean the pharmacy and how to organize the store’s inventory.

Certifications & Licenses: Some employers may require certification to demonstrate a candidate’s knowledge in the field.

CVS Pharmacy Technician Skills

Cvs pharmacy technicians need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Pharmacy technicians communicate with customers, other pharmacy staff and other medical professionals. Effective communication skills can help you work with others, answer questions and solve problems. Pharmacy technicians also communicate with customers to help them understand their medication and treatment options.

Customer service: Customer service is the ability to interact with customers in a friendly and helpful manner. Pharmacy technicians should have excellent customer service skills to help customers find the right medication and answer any questions they have about the medication.

Organizational skills: Pharmacy technicians must be able to organize their work space and the supplies they have on hand. This is because they may be responsible for keeping track of inventory and restocking shelves. It’s also important to keep track of customer information and prescription information.

Attention to detail: Pharmacy technicians must have strong attention to detail to ensure they enter the correct information into the computer system and accurately fill prescriptions. Attention to detail can also help you notice if a prescription is outdated or if a patient has a potential drug interaction.

Computer knowledge: Pharmacy technicians use computers to enter patient information, track inventory and complete other tasks. Having strong computer skills can help you learn new software, navigate a website and complete other tasks.

CVS Pharmacy Technician Work Environment

The work environment for a CVS pharmacy technician is usually a clean and well-lit retail store. Most of the work is performed behind the counter, so the technician has little interaction with customers. The job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as lifting and carrying boxes of medications and other supplies. The work can be repetitive and sometimes stressful, but it is generally fast-paced and busy. There is little opportunity for advancement, but the job is relatively stable and secure.

CVS Pharmacy Technician Trends

Here are three trends influencing how CVS pharmacy technicians work. CVS pharmacy technicians will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Pharmacists

The need for more pharmacists is a trend that is being driven by the increasing demand for prescription drugs. As the population ages, the number of people who require medication will continue to rise, which means that pharmacies will need to hire more pharmacists to meet the demand.

CVS pharmacy technicians can capitalize on this trend by becoming certified in specific areas, such as specialty or geriatric care. This will allow them to provide better service to patients and help pharmacies stay ahead of the curve.

Pharmacy Automation

Pharmacy automation is a trend that is quickly gaining popularity among pharmacies across the country. This is due to the many benefits that it offers, such as increased efficiency and accuracy.

As pharmacy automation becomes more popular, CVS pharmacy technicians will need to learn how to use these systems in order to keep up with the competition. They will also need to be familiar with the latest technology in order to provide the best possible customer service.

More Focus on Patient Care

As healthcare costs continue to rise, pharmacies are shifting their focus towards patient care. This means that CVS pharmacy technicians will need to be able to provide more than just basic pharmaceutical services.

In order to stay competitive, CVS pharmacy technicians will need to be able to provide additional services, such as health screenings, blood pressure checks, and nutrition counseling. They will also need to be able to communicate effectively with patients in order to build trust and ensure that they are getting the care that they need.

How to Become a CVS Pharmacy Technician

A career as a pharmacy technician can be both rewarding and lucrative. It’s important to start your journey by getting certified. There are two main certification options: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA).

Once you have your certification, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in pharmacy technology. This can be done through online courses, webinars, and other training resources. Additionally, it’s important to build relationships with pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals. This will help you learn about new opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.

Advancement Prospects

As a pharmacy technician, you will have the opportunity to grow and advance in your career. With experience, you may be promoted to a lead pharmacy technician or supervisor position. You may also choose to specialize in a certain area, such as compounding or nuclear pharmacy.

If you are interested in furthering your education, you may choose to become a registered pharmacy technician (RPhT). To do this, you will need to pass a national exam. Once you are registered, you will have the opportunity to work in more advanced positions, such as hospital pharmacy technician or pharmacy manager.

CVS Pharmacy Technician Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide our customers with quality service and products they can trust. As a pharmacy technician, you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service while accurately and efficiently processing prescriptions. You will also be responsible for maintaining the pharmacy inventory and keeping the work area clean and organized. The ideal candidate will have a strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Answer incoming calls from patients and doctors’ offices, take accurate messages, and direct calls accordingly
• Greet customers entering the pharmacy and provide them with prompt, courteous service
• Check in prescriptions, verify patient information, process prior authorizations, and enter data into the computer system
• Retrieve medications from stock, count and pour medications, and type labels
• Affix labels to dispensed medications and prepare medications for delivery
• Assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions by retrieving, counting, pouring, weighing, and measuring medications
• Receive and process new orders from physicians, clinics, and insurance companies
• Answer questions from patients and refer them to the pharmacist when necessary
• Keep the work area clean and organized and maintain inventory levels
• Perform all duties in compliance with state and federal regulations
• Complete continuing education requirements to keep up with changing laws and technologies
• Handle cash register operations and reconcile cash at the end of each shift

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of an accredited pharmacy technician training program
• Registered and licensed as a pharmacy technician with the state board of pharmacy
• 1-2 years experience working as a pharmacy technician in a retail setting
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 50 pounds

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in pharmacy technology or related field
• 3-5 years experience working as a pharmacy technician in a retail setting
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience with pharmacy software systems, such as Rx30
• Certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)