Interviews with pharmacy technicians essay

Assignment 2: Health Career ExplorationsI am looking to become a Pharmacy Technician, so my interviews were with two current Pharmacy Techs that have been in the field more than 10 years each. My first interview was with Alicia¸ a Pharmacy Tech in Illinois. She has been a Pharmacy Tech for 15 years and has been working for the same company for about 9 years. I chose her as my first interview because of her many years in the field as well as her vast knowledge of the subject. My second interview was with Natalie, from Utah. She has been a Tech for 11 years and also showed an extensive amount of knowledge about the Pharmacy Tech field.

Both interviews were online. I took the CIS activities assessments related to Pharmacy Tech, the Idea’s test, as well as the Skills test. I also researched Pharmacy Tech on the website, which gave me more information.

My interview with Alicia went well. She studied at a junior college so she could be ready to take the Pharmacy Technician’s test to become certified. She said the test is two hours long, and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. She suggested that on the job training is one of the best ways to learn the job and prepare for the test.

I asked her what some of the tasks a Pharmacy Tech would have; she stated that Tech’s assist the Pharmacist, take temperature logs of the fridge and freezer, as well as check faxes for new prescriptions or refill authorizations. They also fill prescriptions, answer phones and call for clarifications or insurance issues. Having a people friendly attitude and being able to work well with others were some of the skills she suggested that I needed to perform the job well. Having a happy environment helps to make happy customers. She said that some related jobs to the Pharmacy Tech field would be a secretary at a doctor’s office, or a nurse because of the vast knowledge about drugs and the dispensing of them. My second interview was with Natalie.

I noticed similarities between the two interviews. Both people suggested on the job training as well as similar skills needed for the job. Natalie said on the job training was better than just school training because it helps to teach the in’s and out’s of the job. A positive attitude and keeping your customers, co-workers, and boss happy was something she emphasized a lot, which was similar to Alicia suggestions. Natalie also suggested taking a customer service class to learn how to better deal with the customer and difficult people.

Because of insurance problems and prescription mix-ups, she said that Pharmacies get a lot of frustrated customers, and maintaining a calm appearance can help the situation and to help calm the customer as well. The salary range for a Pharmacy Technician position is between $12hr. and $22hr. It depends on which position within the Pharmacy Tech field you are in, such as Hospital or Retail, and how long you have been with that company. I feel retail is the area I would choose because of the fact it is smaller and more focused on the Pharmacy. I think the hospital pharmacy would have too much going on and I would become distracted. And I want to focus all my attention on the customer and their needs. The CIS activities helped show me other job opportunities I might be interested in, as well as the skills that I have or need to have that will help me succeed in the Pharmacy Tech field.

My 5 strongest skills, suggested by the Skills assessment test, are: Integrity, Team Work, Finger Dexterity, Creativity, and Record Keeping. Some of these skills I feel would be helpful to have as a Pharmacy Tech but not really Creativity. Even though I feel that this field is a good fit for me, the results of the CIS activities showed that I would do and be better in office work such as an Office Assistant or Medical Billing Assistant. I do agree that I would do well in those careers as well, because I love to type and be behind a desk, as well as interact with customers. But Pharmacy Tech has everything that I want in a career, working with people, some office work, typing, and being in a team. Some of the skills required for the Pharmacy Tech career are to notice and observe when there is a problem, analyzing, concentration, math skills, and time management. I did notice I have most of these skills but they are not my strongest.

I think the best way to improve them is to practice and do some on the job training. The results of the Skills and Ideas tests showed me other options available to me as well as confirmed my current career choice. The two interviews with Pharmacy Technicians were very eye opening. They showed me that I am on the right track. I will defiantly look into some on the job training; I feel it will help me to learn the job and its requirements better. The Pharmacy Tech field has its ups and downs but I feel it fits me best and that I will succeed at it.

The CIS activities also helped me learn more about the career I chose and also showed me that there are other jobs out there if the Pharmacy Tech field does not pan out. I look forward to learning more about my current field as well as other fields. This assignment was what I needed to help me pick which career I wanted and to inform me more on the subject. Now I can take my classes and then prepare to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.