Pinoy Pharmacy

Source: onip.ca

What is a Pharmacy Technician?
A Pharmacy Technician provides technical and clerical support to pharmacists. Unlike pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians cannot counsel patients and cannot take prescription information over the phone

Related job titles
* pharmacy assistant
* pharmacy helper
* pharmacy cashier
* pharmacy clerk

According to the Environmental Scan of Pharmacy Technicians, September 2001, the word "technician" is often used to describe any non-pharmacist in a pharmacy who assists in dispensing. Any person may call himself or herself a technician without having completed technical certification.

Major duties

The responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician are varied depending on the specific pharmacy. Under the supervision of one or more pharmacists, a pharmacy technician's essential duties include:

* assisting the pharmacist in the day-to-day operation of the pharmacy
* measuring, mixing, packaging, labeling and delivering drugs
* restocking medications and related supplies
* identifying expired products for disposal, destruction, or return to manufacturer
* inputting prescriptions into the computer system
* maintaining computerized lists of medications taken by patients
* filling medication orders
* maintaining inventory
* dealing with clients on a one-to-one basis, directing them to items or the pharmacist for medication consultation
* looking after home health-care products such as canes, vision aids and hearing aids
* pre-packaging medications (including unit dose packaging)

Sometimes duties may also include:

* answering telephones
* receiving written prescriptions
* cleaning and sterilizing dispensing bottles and instruments
* answering questions regarding non-drug products
* operating a cash register
* preparing receipts, invoices, letters and memos, and general filing
* receiving and sending electronic communication
* delivering medications to institutional wards


Qualifications and requirements
Often the first qualification mentioned in the job postings is:

* graduate of an approved Pharmacy Assistant Program, or
* applicants must be graduates of a recognized pharmacy technician program or equivalent.

The evaluation of your non-Canadian education is extremely important in this case. But some retail pharmacies may require no more than a high school diploma that includes courses in chemistry and biology

* Certification (CPhT) from a college of pharmacy is preferred
* Knowledge of the English language is essential. Your communication skills and knowledge of terminology play a vital role.
* Computer keyboard skills are preferred.
* Accuracy is important. There is no room for error.

Other required qualifications may include:

* organizational and time management skills
* problem-solving skills
* ability to work with minimal supervision


Compensation
Salaries vary depending on the pharmacy, the location and the skills and responsibilities of the technician. Those working in retail can expect to start at approximately $7.50 to $8.50 per hour while those working in hospitals earn approximately $17 to $22 per hour.

Who are the employers?

The majority of jobs are in retail pharmacies. Other employers include

* hospitals, and community pharmacies

Occasionally, you may also find these positions with

* pharmaceutical companies
* insurance companies


Comment:
A lot of Filipinos now are looking for opportunities in Canada. Maybe because its one of the best places to live. Considering the PRO's and CON's, Is it really worth going there? If there's a lot good opportunities here for pharmacist and pharmacy technicians will you stay here?

Sinong Filipino Pharmacist gusto mangibang bayan para maging Pharmacy Technician? Kung kumikita ka ng 30-50 thousand a month at may magandang kapalaran ang nag hihintay sayo aalis ka pa ba?

I think mali ang nagiging nosyon sa pilipinas na kapag ikaw ay nag abroad ay garantisadong yayaman ka. Sa pag kakataong ito, nais kong ipamahagi ang messahe sa ating mga kapwa Pinoy Pharmacist na hindi lahat ng pilipino na nagpupunta sa Canada o kahit sa bansa na pupuntahan nila ay magiging successful. Kung makikita ninyo lang sa TV,radio at sa mga iba pang pahayagan kung ano talaga ang situation sa ibang bansa. Kung ang amerika bumagsak ang ekonomia, bakit gusto mo dun? Hindi mo ba alam naghihirap sila dun?

Bilang Pinoy Pharmacist ano ba ang maipapayo mo sa mga Registered Pharmacist na gustong pumunta ng ibang bansa para matrabaho bilang Pharmacy Technician?