Pharmacy Technicians cannot write prescriptions. Only licensed providers such as physicians, nurse-practitioners, and physician assistants can write prescriptions. These medical professionals have what is called prescriptive authority, which is granted to them based on their years of training in treating patients and writing prescriptions.
While pharmacy technicians do not write prescriptions, they are involved in the steps of processing and dispensing them. This includes data input for new prescriptions, processing refill prescriptions, filling prescriptions, and selling prescriptions to patients after they have been checked by a pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technicians & Prescriptions, How They Use Math
Math is very important for pharmacy technicians. There are many mathematical concepts that are used by pharmacy technicians, including addition and subtraction, fractions, determining percentages, weights, and measurement.
Algebra skills are important as technicians use algebra to figure out how much of one ingredient to add to another in the process known as compounding. Compounding is defined as the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication that is tailored to the needs of an individual patient. Math is used in both sterile and non-sterile compounding.
A pharmacy technician also needs to be familiar with different measurement systems and conversions between systems. For instance, technicians may compute the amount of medication to dispense to a patient using milliliters, and then convert that measurement back to teaspoons, ounces, or drops to tell the patient how to administer the medication. Knowing how to do math well is an issue of patient safety. It is important to dispense the right dose, right quantity, and right instructions to patients, and an error could lead to serious illness, treatment failure, injury, or death for a patient.
Why Are Pharmacy Tech Professionals Not Allowed To Write Prescriptions? (Laws and Learning)
Medical professionals who write prescriptions have many years of training and education in treating patients and writing prescriptions. Pharmacy technicians do not have the education and training required to write prescriptions. Therefore, pharmacy technicians do not have prescriptive authority under state laws.
While pharmacy technicians do not write prescriptions, they are involved with the steps of processing and dispensing them. This includes data input for new prescriptions, processing refill prescriptions, filling prescriptions, and selling prescriptions to patients after they have been checked by a pharmacist.
Do Webinars Count as LIVE CE For Pharmacy Technicians?
Live webinars on freeCE count as LIVE CE for pharmacy technicians. Live CE requires that the learner be online at the same time as the presenter and be able to answer questions. All freeCE live webinars have a question and answer period at the end of the program where pharmacists and technicians have the opportunity to engage with and ask questions of the presenter. Therefore, all live webinars on freeCE count as LIVE CE for pharmacy technicians.
Do Pharmacy Technicians Need Liability Insurance?
Pharmacy technicians are taking on increased responsibilities in many pharmacy settings. These responsibilities include sterile compounding, technician product verification, and administering immunizations. Pharmacy technicians work closely with the pharmacist in the process of medication dispensing and patient care. Because of their increased responsibilities, it is recommended that pharmacy technicians have liability insurance.
What Are Some Great Online Programs For A Pharmacy Technician?
If you are looking for online programs that will improve your skills and help you grow in your career, you can find what you need in freeCE’s growing catalog of continuing education created specifically with technicians in mind. Whether you are looking for on-demand activities, live webinars, or in-depth training on topics such as immunization or medication history, freeCE has a variety of options to choose from.
Do you want unlimited access to this growing catalog of pharmacy technician CE? Explore our packages here.
Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education from freeCE.com
Pharmacy technicians often have busy schedules and need a flexible way to earn CE credit. If you need CE fast, freeCE’s comprehensive on-demand catalog is perfect for you. When you buy a freeCE unlimited CE package, you’ll get 24-7 access to hundreds of hours of on-demand CE, with plenty of options designed specifically to meet a pharmacy technician’s needs.
freeCE’s on-demand continuing education activities come in a variety of formats, including:
- Webcasts: These video activities are perfect for technicians who enjoy both auditory and visual activities. These activities have many of the benefits of live CE but are available 24-7.
- Monographs: These written activities are a great way to earn credit at whatever pace fits your needs. If you learn best by reading, freeCE’s monograph library has many activities for you.
- Express CE: These bite-sized activities are designed so you can earn 0.25 hours of CE in 15 minutes or less. Perfect for fitting into a busy schedule, these activities let you earn credit between your daily tasks.
If you want a convenient way to earn your CE, explore freeCE’s packages here.
