What is the job of a pharmacy technician trainee?

I'm curious about what pharmacy technician trainees do daily. Is it mostly learning on the job, or are there classes to attend too? What skills would I need to succeed in this position? I'd love to hear from someone who has been through it.

Pharmacy technician trainees work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and play an indispensable role in the day-to-day operations of a pharmacy. Their job involves a mix of hands-on learning and theoretical groundwork.

Some of their typical responsibilities include:

1. Assisting the pharmacist: They help in preparing medications by weighing, counting, and sometimes mixing pharmaceuticals. It's not uncommon for them to package and label the prepared prescription medication for the patient as well.

2. Customer relations: They often interact with customers, answer their queries, and handle transactions, so strong communication skills are a must.

3. Management duties: They may be involved in inventory control duties, such as restocking shelves and managing drug supply.

As for the learning component, many states require pharmacy technician trainees to undergo a specific training program and pass an examination to gain certification. The training program often includes a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience. This typically covers areas such as medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy law and ethics, and the names, actions, uses, and doses of medications.

The essential skills required for a pharmacy technician trainee include attention to detail, strong organizational ability, basic math competency for calculations, good customer service skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Also, having a solid grounding in chemistry or biology can be beneficial, but it's not always necessary.

Remember that the requirements can vary by state, so it's vital to look at the specific requirements in your state before choosing this career path. Many states will require you to be a high school graduate or equivalent, and some might conduct a background check due to the sensitive nature of the job.