What Does a Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Do?

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for a variety of tasks in the pharmacy setting. They may prepare medications, fill prescriptions, and provide customer service to patients who come into the pharmacy seeking assistance with their medication needs.

Pharmacy technicians must be highly trained in all aspects of pharmaceuticals and how they interact with the human body. This includes knowing which drugs can be taken together without causing adverse effects, how to properly label and store medications, and how to identify potential drug interactions that could cause harm to the patient.

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

A Walgreens pharmacy technician typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Maintaining a clean and safe work environment by following OSHA standards for safety
• Communicating with physicians to obtain authorization for prescription refills or to answer questions about medications or diagnoses
• Walking the store floor to greet customers and provide assistance when needed
• Performing basic nursing tasks such as administering injections, taking blood pressure readings, and measuring blood sugar levels
• Preparing materials for medication administration, including counting pills or tablets, measuring liquids, and mixing solutions
• Helping customers select health products and make good use of them through counseling about medication use and side effects
• Maintaining inventory by checking the supply of items such as over-the-counter drugs, shampoo, or other beauty products
• Performing diagnostic tests such as urinalysis or blood tests using special equipment such as a microscope or computerized machine
• Providing customer service by answering questions about medications and helping customers choose appropriate products for their needs

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Salary & Outlook

The salary of a pharmacy technician can vary depending on their level of education and experience, the company size and geographic location.

• Median Annual Salary: $31,673 ($15.23/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $58,000 ($27.88/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 active later in life, 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 increasing the types of services that pharmacists provide, which may result in increased demand for pharmacy technicians.

Related: Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Job Requirements

Walgreens pharmacy technicians typically need to meet the following requirements:

Education: Most employers require Walgreens pharmacy technicians to have a high school diploma or GED. Some employers may require an associate’s degree or certification from a pharmacy technician program. These programs typically take about six months to complete and include courses in math, pharmacy law and ethics.

Training & Experience: Most employers will provide on-the-job training for new pharmacy technicians. This training will typically last for a few weeks and will teach you how to use the computer system, how to interact with customers and how to prepare and dispense medications.

Certifications & Licenses: A pharmacy technician needs to earn a certification from the American Pharmacy Association (APhA) to work in the industry. The certification is the minimum requirement for anyone working in a pharmacy in the United States.

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Skills

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

Communication: Pharmacists and technicians often communicate with patients and other pharmacy staff. Pharmacists may instruct technicians on how to complete certain tasks and explain complex medical information to patients. Pharmacy technicians may also communicate with other pharmacy staff to ensure they have the correct medications and supplies.

Attention to detail: Pharmacists and technicians alike must have excellent attention to detail to ensure they fill prescriptions correctly and accurately. Pharmacists rely on technicians to fill prescriptions correctly, so it’s important for technicians to pay close attention to the details of each prescription. This ensures the technician fills the prescription correctly and the customer receives the correct medication.

Customer service: Customer service skills can help you interact with customers and answer their questions. Customer service skills can also help you provide solutions to customer problems. As a pharmacy technician, you may be the first person a customer speaks to when they have a question about a medication or insurance.

Computer skills: Pharmacists use computers to enter patient information, track inventory and manage finances. Pharmacy technicians also use computers to enter patient information and track inventory. Computer skills are an important part of a pharmacy technician’s job.

Medical knowledge: Medical knowledge is the ability to understand and apply medical terminology and procedures. This is an important skill for pharmacy technicians because they often interact with patients and provide them with medical advice. Walgreens pharmacists often have extensive medical knowledge and are able to answer questions about medical conditions and treatments.

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Work Environment

Walgreens pharmacy technicians work in a clean, well-lit, and organized pharmacy. They are usually on their feet for most of their shift and may be required to lift heavy boxes of medications. The work can be fast-paced and sometimes stressful, especially during busy times. Walgreens pharmacy technicians typically work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, although some may work part-time. They may also be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime is often available, and Walgreens pharmacy technicians may be required to take on additional shifts to cover for absent coworkers.

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Walgreens pharmacy technicians work. Walgreens 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.

Walgreens 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. This is due to the many benefits that it offers, such as increased efficiency and accuracy.

As pharmacy automation becomes more popular, Walgreens 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 pharmacy technicians will need to develop skills in areas such as counseling, disease management, and drug therapy management.

By developing these skills, pharmacy technicians can become valuable members of the healthcare team and play a key role in helping patients manage their medications and improve their health.

How to Become a Walgreens Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician career can be a great way to start your healthcare career. As a pharmacy technician, you’ll learn about the different medications and their uses, how to fill prescriptions correctly, and more. You’ll also get experience working with patients and helping them manage their medication regimens.

To become a pharmacy technician, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program. Many community colleges offer these programs, which typically last between six and twelve months. Once you’ve completed your training, you can look for jobs at pharmacies across the country.

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

Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Job Description Example

The pharmacy technician is a vital part of the Walgreens pharmacy team. As a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, you will be responsible for assisting the pharmacist in the prescription filling process, as well as other related duties such as data entry, answering customer questions, and stocking shelves. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills, as well as the ability to work accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Prior experience as a pharmacy technician or in a related field is preferred, but not required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve customers by accurately and efficiently processing prescriptions while providing excellent customer service
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of pharmacy policies, procedures, and regulations
• Stay current on new products and services offered by the pharmacy
• Answer customer questions and address concerns in a professional and courteous manner
• Assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions and provide other support as needed
• Prepare medications for dispensing by counting, pouring, measuring, and mixing drugs according to prescription orders
• Label and dispense medications and other pharmaceuticals following established procedures
• Stock shelves with medications and other supplies
• Process insurance claims and handle customer billing inquiries
• Perform data entry of patient information and prescription orders into the computer system
• Balance cash register drawer at the end of each shift
• Complete continuing education requirements to keep certification current

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• 1-2 years of experience working in a pharmacy
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Accurate data entry and math skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in pharmacy technology or related field
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification
• Experience with pharmacy software systems, such as Rx30