Retail pharmacy hires the majority of pharmacy technicians presently in the workforce.  Retail pharmacy technicians are the primary contact and liaison  between the pharmacist and the community pharmacy patient.  A retail pharmacy technician is a rewarding and challenging career, and one which is growing rapidly as pharmacy technicians become more and more important to the practice of pharmacy.

Duties and job description of the retail pharmacy technician include (but are not limited to):

• Receiving prescriptions from the patient.

• Drug preparation.

• Clerical pharmacy duties.

• Computer duties - order entry, profile maintenance, prescription entry and processing.

• Pharmacy inventory management.

• Customer service.

• Other duties as required by the supervising pharmacist.

Employment requirements of retail pharmacy technicians may include:

• National and State pharmacy technician certification.

• Some retail drug stores prefer 1 to 2 years of retail pharmacy tech experience.  Most provide on the job training to new technicians.

• Proficiency in pharmaceutical math, pharmacy laws, and knowledge of pharmacy rules and regulations pertaining to Retail pharmacy.

• Familiarity with medical terminology, pharmacology, abbreviations, symbols used in prescribing, and pharmaceutical dosage forms.

• Knowledge of name brand drugs and their generic counterparts to be used when filling carts, and documentation of medications.

Typical salary of retail pharmacy technicians:

• Usually hourly, although may be salaried.

• Starting pay ranging from $7 per hour to $15 per hour.

• Salary for experienced retail pharmacy techs up to $25 per hour in some locations.

Also see related ... Retail Pharmacy Technicians, Hospital Pharmacy Technicians, CPhT's, Pharmacy Tech Training, Pharmacist Aides