A pharmacy is a store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold. Pharmacies have all kind of drugs and prescriptions for patients and/or customers. A pharmacy is more than a drug store. They try to promote health awareness and good hygiene. There are two different types of jobs at a pharmacy: a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician. They work with a doctor or nurse to see what the patient’s health is and the problem the patient is having so they know what medication to give to the patient. A pharmacist and pharmacy technician need to know all the prescriptions they work with. The pharmacist gives prescription drugs to a sick or injured patient. They are directly involved with the patient to explain how to take the medication, how many times a day to use the medication and what to do if certain …show more content…
A pharmacist keeps records, talks to insurance companies, and supervise pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy technicians provide medication and other health care products to patients and consumers under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. Pharmacy technicians can work in drug stores, hospitals and pharmacies.
There are several machines used in a pharmacy. One of the machines used is the tablet-counting machine. Counting pills by hand can be inaccurate and time-consuming. The principle daily duty of a pharmacist is to fill medical prescriptions. Often, these prescriptions are for pills. One of the most crucial tools to fill pill prescriptions accurately and efficiently is a tablet-counting machine. Tablet-counting machines count pills quickly and accurately via a vibrating plate that drops pills onto a scale until the desired amount is reached. Another one used is the liquid-filling machine. This machine takes all the guess work out of measuring liquids. Liquid-filling machines also automatically fill
Working in the pharmaceutical industry, there are different types of environments you could possibly work in. There are chain pharmacies, like any kind of grocery store or CVS. There are franchise pharmacies, which are also known as apothecaries. Also, there are community pharmacies, which are also known as retail pharmacies. Some of them are independent pharmacies, which is usually owned by a pharmacist or a group of pharmacists.. There are hospital pharmacies, in which are in the hospital. There are many more different types, these are only a few.
According to Study.com (2003-2017), a Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice Registered Nurse who has more responsibilities. Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, examine patients, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment for the sick or diseased. The Typical things they do or the typical activities they do depend on what work category the Nurse Practitioner is in, Some order diagnostic testing, view results, while some act as a Primary Caregiver when a Doctor is not around or available, while others keep up with
• Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies • Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims • Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system • Answer phone calls from customers • Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, who must review prescriptions before they are given to patients. In most states, technicians can compound or mix medications and call physicians for prescription refill authorizations. Technicians also may need to operate automated dispensing equipment when filling prescription orders. Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other medical facilities prepare a greater variety of medications, such as intravenous medications.
Precision of a patient’s intravenous medication is essential; it must be safe from. contamination, toxicity, and side effects. Most people believe these medications are compounded or mixed by a trained and licensed individual. However, this is inaccurate because the pharmacy technician actually compounds a large percentage of a patient’s medications. Compounding involves a technician’s math skills, aseptic technique, and professional ethics.... ...
Giving out the wrong medication, or improper dosages can potentially be fatal to patients. Pharmacy technicians must be willing to take on this risk and do their work as carefully and accurately as possible.
They usually are the ones who administer medications. Incidents of medication errors are caused by many factors; however, it is commonly due to nurses who fail to follow proper protocols and lack knowledge for each medication. A study by Frith et al. (2012) demonstrates how an increase in registered nurses (RN) decreases medication errors and an increase in licensed practical nurses (LPN) increases medication errors. Hospitals hire more RNs than LPNs which is why LPNs are most commonly seen working in clinics. Research implies LPNs often ask RNs questions during medication administration hours, and since LPNs are not allowed to make phone calls to the physician, they have to ask an RN to do it (Frith et al.,
"Pharmacy Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008): 1. Associates Programs Source. EBSCO. Web. 9 June 2010.
Pharmacy Technicians: A Specialized Discourse Community Overview of pharmacy technicians: Do they fit the criteria of a discourse group? When doctors prescribe medication for their patients, a local retail pharmacy is most likely to be utilized to fill the order. However, there is a growing population of older Americans that are no longer able to live independently and must reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. In order for this vulnerable population to receive their medications, a different kind of pharmacy is needed, these are known as LTC, long term care pharmacies. Within these specialized pharmacies there are highly trained employees called CPhTs, certified pharmacy technicians who are overseen by state licensed RPHs, otherwise known as pharmacists.
Other duties include maintaining records of these compliments and concerns, analyze performance reports in an effort to improve the quality of care and recommend policy changes based on their findings. They also serve as a liaison between patients, their families, physicians and administration as well.
The importance of the becoming a pharmacist should not be about what the career can give a person in monetary value or the amount of accolades one receives. Instead, the career should be about saving and improving human lives and serving the public. Pharmacists keep people healthy, make them feel better, and try to help the public live longer and happier lives as long as possible. From small infant children to the elderly, everyone needs pharmaceutical care. Sometimes it can be a matter of life and death if medication is not available to the public. Pharmacy as a career would be a wise decision if a person could withstand the amount of education the profession entails.
First, here is some important background information about Pharmacists. A Pharmacist is someone who is trained and licensed to distribute medicinal drugs and to advise on their use. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook Pharmacists do all of the following: "Fill prescriptions, verify proper amounts of medication to give to patients, check whether the prescription will interact negatively with other drugs that a patient is taking or conditions the patient has, instruct patients on how to and when to take a prescribed medicine, Advise patients on potential side effects they may experience from taking the medicine, Advise patients about general health topics, such as diet, exercise, managing stress, and on other issues, such as what equipment or supplies would be best for a health problem, Keep records and do other administrative tasks, Complete insurance forms and work with insurance companies to be sure that patients get the medicine they need, Teach other healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients, and lastly oversee the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists training."() Some pharmacists participate in compounding, where they create medications by mixing ingredients themselves. Pharmacists tha...
Pharmacist and Pharmacy technician should modify their counselling questions according to the feedback given by the customer. They should avoid medical terms and use easy language.
Pharmacists have very important roles in healthcare from all angles. Physicians and licensed practitioners that write a written prescription, the pharmacist reviews patient history, health conditions, and interactions with the new medication prescribed. As a pharmacy technician (for six years) I had a somewhat of an overview on what they accomplished in a shift but did not know everything on what I know now from this research. Pharmacy students that are in the process to obtain their doctor of pharmacy (D.Pharm.) go through a series of training, education and internship to become a well-rounded pharmacist.
Will, L. ed., 2010. Technology and the Future of Pharmacy: A Roundtable Discussion. Computer Talk for the Pharmacist, [online] 30(3), 20-36. Available at: [Accessed on 11 November 2011]
They can also give advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, and oversee the medications given to their patients. Furthermore, a pharmacist must pay close attention to the prescription they fill and give to their patients. They should be sure the prescription won’t interact negatively with other drugs a patient is taking, or any past or previous medical conditions the patient has. Next, they will instruct the patient on how and when to take the prescribed medicine, any potential side effects, and answer any additional question the patient may have. Other than dealing with prescriptions, pharmacists will complete insurance forms and communicate with insurance companies to ensure patients obtain the medicines they need. Lastly, pharmacists will oversee the work of their pharmacy technicians and any interns they may have. A prescription may be filled by a pharmacy technician, but must be checked by the pharmacist before being given to a patient. Pharmacists’ tasks may also vary depending on where they work. For example, clinical pharmacists working is hospitals or clinical setting will sped less time dispensing prescriptions, and more time going on rotations, overseeing the dosage and timing of medications to patients, and conducting medical tests. On the other hand,