What is a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon?
If you’re considering becoming a pharmacy technician in Oregon, then you need to understand the job roles that come with this profession. A pharmacy technician is an integral part of the healthcare team and plays an important role in helping pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients.
In Oregon, a pharmacy technician must be certified by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy (OSBP). The OSBP requires pharmacy technicians to pass certain examinations and complete certain educational requirements before they can become certified.
What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?
Pharmacy technicians perform various tasks, including:
- Assisting pharmacists in filling prescriptions
- Verifying insurance information
- Maintaining medication inventories
- Compounding medications for patients
- Answering patient questions about their medications
- Processing payments for prescriptions
Pharmacy technicians also help ensure that pharmacies remain compliant with state and federal regulations. They may be responsible for making sure that all medications are stored properly and safely, as well as maintaining accurate records of all transactions.
Benefits of Being a Pharmacy Technician
Becoming a pharmacy technician offers many benefits, such as:
- Providing an important service to the community
- Having job security since there is always demand for qualified professionals
- Providing an opportunity to learn more about medical terminology and the pharmaceutical industry
In addition, pharmacy technicians are often paid well for their services. Depending on experience level, geography, type of employer and other factors, pay scales can vary significantly from one location to another. As a result, it’s important to research salary ranges before applying for any positions.
Overview of Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities in Oregon
If you’re considering a career as a pharmacy technician in Oregon, it’s important to understand the job responsibilities that come with the role. In this article, we’ll discuss the duties and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in Oregon to help guide your decision-making process.
I. The Role of a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon
In Oregon, pharmacy technicians are healthcare professionals who assist pharmacists in providing medications and other health care products to patients. They typically work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to ensure accuracy and compliance with state regulations.
II. Job Description and Responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians in Oregon
As a pharmacy technician, your job responsibilities will include:
- Filling prescriptions according to standard operating procedures.
- Verifying prescription orders for accuracy.
- Maintaining patient records.
- Preparing medications for distribution.
- Receiving and entering customer information into computerized systems.
- Answering customer questions about medications.
- Assisting customers with insurance claims processing.
You may also be required to perform additional tasks such as inventory management, compounding medications, or assisting with administrative tasks. Additionally, you must be knowledgeable of drug interactions and safety protocols as well as have excellent customer service skills.
As a pharmacy technician in Oregon, you must hold certification from an accredited program approved by the State Board of Pharmacy before you can begin working. You must also pass an exam administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) prior to obtaining certification. Once certified, you must renew your license annually or every two years depending on which renewal option is selected when applying for certification initially.
In conclusion, becoming a pharmacy technician requires dedication and hard work, but can be rewarding if you have an interest in helping people improve their health through medication therapy management services. If you want to pursue this career path, understanding the job description and responsibilities is key to making an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.
Training and Certification for Pharmacy Technicians in Oregon
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Oregon is an exciting opportunity that requires specialized training and certification. Aspiring pharmacy technicians should understand the requirements for working in the state before beginning their journey to become a certified pharmacy technician.
What is Required to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician in Oregon?
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician in Oregon, individuals must meet the following criteria:
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program
• Pass the national certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or ExCPT
• Register with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy and obtain licensure prior to working as a pharmacy technician
• Complete continuing education courses as required by law
Pharmacy Technician Training Programs in Oregon
Oregon offers several quality training programs to help aspiring pharmacy technicians prepare for their careers. These include:
• Portland Community College – Portland, OR
• Chemeketa Community College – Salem, OR
• Clackamas Community College – Oregon City, OR
These programs are designed to provide comprehensive instruction on all aspects of becoming a pharmacy technician. Students can expect to learn about medication safety, pharmacology, drug interactions, compounding medications, and more. Upon completion of the program, students may be eligible to take either the PTCB or ExCPT exam.
Continuing Education Requirements
Once you are certified as a pharmacy technician in Oregon, you must complete continuing education every two years in order to maintain your license. The state requires 12 hours of continuing education during this time period. In addition to completing these courses, registered technicians must pass either the PTCB or ExCPT exam every two years in order to remain certified.
Career Prospects for Pharmacy Technicians in Oregon
Are you interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in Oregon? The job offers plenty of opportunities and career prospects. Here we take a look at what you can expect from a career in this field.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Oregon is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth will be driven by an aging population and increasing demand for prescription medications.
Salary
Pharmacy technicians in Oregon can expect to make a competitive wage. The median salary for pharmacy technicians is $31,750 per year, or $15.27 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced technicians with more advanced certifications can earn even more.
Benefits & Perks
In addition to competitive salaries, many employers offer their employees additional benefits and perks like paid time off, health insurance coverage and 401(k) plans. Benefits vary by employer so it’s important to research each company before applying for jobs.
Where Can I Work?
Pharmacy technicians are employed in hospitals, drug stores, mail order pharmacies and nursing homes throughout Oregon. Job postings are widely available online on various job boards as well as on individual company websites.
Certification Requirements
In order to work as a pharmacy technician in Oregon, you must have a valid certification issued by the state’s Board of Pharmacy Examiners (BOPE). To become certified, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass the national certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Once certified, applicants must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education requirements set forth by BOPE.
Understanding Job Roles of Pharmacy Technicians in Oregon
As a pharmacy technician, you’ll play an important role in the healthcare industry. You’ll be responsible for working with pharmacists to ensure that medication is dispensed correctly and accurately. In Oregon, there are a number of job roles that pharmacy technicians can perform.
Ordering and Receiving Medication
One of the main responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in Oregon is ordering and receiving medication. As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be responsible for ordering prescription medications from wholesalers and manufacturers. You’ll also need to receive the medications and verify that they are accurate and complete before stocking them in the dispensary area.
Preparing Medication for Dispensing
Once medications have been ordered and received, you’ll need to prepare them for dispensing. This involves verifying patient prescriptions and checking expiration dates on medications. You may also be required to enter data into computer systems or to fill out paperwork related to the dispensing process.
Dispensing Medication
You will also be responsible for dispensing medication to patients. This involves ensuring that patients receive the correct medication at the correct dose as prescribed by their physician or other healthcare provider. You’ll need to check patient identification prior to dispensing any medication, as well as provide information about possible side effects or drug interactions when necessary.
Maintaining Records
In addition, you may be required to maintain records related to the dispensing process, including patient records, prescription records, inventory records, etc. You may also be required to collect payment from patients when necessary and enter this information into your system accurately and completely.
Providing Customer Service
Finally, you will need to provide excellent customer service when interacting with patients or other customers who come into the pharmacy. This involves answering questions about medications or insurance coverage in a professional manner while providing excellent customer service at all times.
By understanding these job roles that are available in Oregon for pharmacy technicians, you can begin preparing yourself for a successful career in this field!