North Carolina Pharmacy Technician Program

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist who directs their work. Their responsibilities generally include:

• Collecting patient information: Medications can be dangerous if given to the wrong patient. Pharmacy technicians make sure that the name, birthday, and address match the prescription label before giving a medication.
• Measuring medications: Medications come in many different strengths or concentrations. Pharmacy technicians measure medications and count pills to ensure that customers go home with the correct amount.
• Create clear labels: Pharmacy technicians must check labels to ensure that the patient’s name, instructions, and expiration date are all clearly visible.
• Organizing inventory: With so many different pills, liquids, sprays, and drops to keep track of, pharmacy technicians have to work hard to keep everything organized. 
• Handling customer payments: Pharmacy technicians determine billing and charge patients the right amount. They often help patients find coupons or discounts for their medications.
• Processing insurance claims: If the customer's medication is covered by insurance, the pharmacy technician may be responsible for submitting the claim to the insurance company for payment.
• Getting important questions answered: Pharmacy technicians make sure that the patient understands the correct dose, timing, and route of administration for their prescription before they go home. If the patient has questions about safety, side effects, or drug interactions, they can direct them to the pharmacist for more information.
• Keeping customers safe: Most importantly, the pharmacy technician is the last line of defense for the patient before they take their medication home. The pharmacy technician has to stay alert for anything that seems dangerous, like an extremely high dose, allergy risk, or risky combinations of medication.