A well-crafted resume is essential for making a positive impression in pharmacy technology. Hiring managers review numerous applications, so yours must clearly and effectively communicate your qualifications. This guide breaks down what information to include and how to present it to capture the attention of potential employers.
Correct Contact Information
The top of your resume must feature clear and professional contact details. Include your full name, phone number, and a professional email address, which should be a simple variation of your name. If you maintain a professional LinkedIn profile, including a link can provide further insight into your background.
Crafting a Professional Summary or Objective
Below your contact information, a brief professional summary or objective acts as an “elevator pitch.” For seasoned professionals, a “Professional Summary” should highlight years of experience, specializations, and accomplishments. An example is: “Certified Pharmacy Technician with over eight years of experience in high-volume retail and hospital settings. Proficient in sterile compounding and automated dispensing systems, with a proven record of improving inventory accuracy.”
For those new to the field, a “Career Objective” is more suitable, focusing on your enthusiasm, skills, and commitment to patient care. An example is: “Detail-oriented and recently certified pharmacy technician seeking to apply strong knowledge of medication dispensing, patient confidentiality, and pharmacy software to an entry-level position. Eager to contribute to a team dedicated to exceptional patient outcomes.”
Essential Skills to Highlight
This section lists your specific capabilities and should be easy to scan and tailored to the job description.
Prescription Processing and Dispensing
Your resume should reflect your ability to manage prescription processing with precision. Include phrases like “proficient in interpreting and accurately entering prescription orders” or “skilled in performing complex dosage calculations.” You can also include “experience in preparing and labeling medications in compliance with all state and federal regulations” or “adept at verifying prescription information and identifying potential discrepancies.”
Pharmacy Software and Technology
Demonstrate your proficiency with pharmacy technology. Mention experience with specific management systems, such as Epic, Cerner, or PioneerRx, phrased as “experienced in utilizing Epic pharmacy module for order entry and patient profile management.” You can also list general skills like “skilled in operating automated dispensing cabinets like Pyxis or Omnicell” and “proficient with electronic health record (EHR) systems.”
Inventory Management
Feature your skills in maintaining stock levels. You could state you are “experienced in conducting routine inventory counts and identifying discrepancies to minimize waste.” Other examples include “skilled in ordering, receiving, and stocking medications and supplies” and “proficient in managing drug recalls and processing expired medications according to established protocols.”
Regulatory Compliance and Safety
Highlight your knowledge of regulatory standards. Your resume can include “in-depth knowledge of HIPAA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality” or “trained in USP <797> and <800> standards for sterile and non-sterile compounding.” Another skill to list is “committed to maintaining a clean and safe work environment in accordance with OSHA guidelines.”
Customer Service and Communication
Technicians are often the first point of contact for patients, making interpersonal skills important. You might include “adept at providing compassionate and clear communication to patients regarding their medications and insurance coverage.” Other examples include “skilled in resolving customer issues and escalating complex inquiries to the pharmacist” and “proven ability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers to clarify prescription details.”
Teamwork and Collaboration
Showcase your ability to be a productive team member in a collaborative environment. You could state you are “a collaborative team player dedicated to supporting pharmacists and fellow technicians to ensure efficient workflow.” Additional phrases to consider are “experienced in training and mentoring new pharmacy technicians” and “committed to fostering a positive and cooperative work environment.”
Detailing Your Work Experience
Your work experience section should provide concrete examples of your accomplishments. Instead of just listing job duties, use bullet points that start with strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements. This approach demonstrates your impact on previous employers.
When describing your roles, quantify your accomplishments with numbers whenever possible. For instance, instead of “processed prescriptions,” you could write, “Processed an average of 150 prescriptions daily with a 99.8% accuracy rate.” Similarly, “Managed inventory” can be strengthened to “Reduced inventory discrepancies by 15% through meticulous tracking and monthly audits.”
Use varied action verbs to keep the descriptions engaging, such as “Coordinated,” “Implemented,” “Streamlined,” and “Resolved.” An example is, “Coordinated with nursing staff to ensure timely delivery of medications in a 200-bed hospital,” or “Implemented a new system for organizing over-the-counter medications, improving retrieval times by 20%.”
Listing Education and Certifications
This section should clearly list your formal qualifications. Start with your most relevant education, such as a diploma from a pharmacy technician training program, including the institution’s name, location, and your graduation date. Following your education, list your certifications and licenses, which are often the most important qualifications. Clearly state your certification status, for example, “Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT),” and include your certification number and expiration date. Any state-specific licenses should also be listed with the license name, issuing state, and license number.