State Requirements for a Pharmacy Technician in Pennsylvania

Pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania do not need to undergo specific training or licensure but they must follow state requirements.

Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to assist in filling prescriptions and answering phone calls, and perform various clerical or administrative tasks. While pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania do not need to undergo the intense training or licensure that lead pharmacists do, pharmacy techs must follow requirements set forth by the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy.

Required Pharmacy Technician Duties

The Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy states pharmacy technicians are only allowed to perform certain duties within a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians are able to transport medicine containers around the store, count medication (pills, capsules or tablets) and maintain records directly related to the functions within the pharmacy. Along with the aforementioned duties a pharmacy technician must also maintain all patient files, which includes entering a prescription order and other vital patient information.

Forbidden Pharmacy Technician Duties

Pharmacy technician requirements established by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy Code limit the duties a pharmacy technician can perform. Pharmacy technicians are not authorized to accepted prescription orders given over the phone; this also includes transcribing oral prescription orders. A technician is also not allowed to be inside the pharmacy if a licensed pharmacist is not on the premises. Lastly, a pharmacy technician is forbidden by state requirements to perform any duty involving independent professional judgment, such as answering medication-related questions, without first consulting the pharmacist.

Written Pharmacy Technician Protocol

A licensed pharmacist is required to create a written protocol for each employed pharmacy technician. This document must outline specific duties each technician is able to perform. State law requires this document to be dated and signed by both the technician and lead pharmacist. The Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy regularly checks the information within this document. Thus, pharmacists are required to maintain current records that can be sent to the board upon request.

References

• The Pennsylvania Code: State Board of Pharmacy
• Community College of Allegheny County: Pharmacy Technician
• Community College of Allegheny County: Careers in Allied Health Pharmacy Technician