How to hire top pharmacy technicians: essential things to know
Pharmacy technicians are allied health professionals who work with Pharmacists to dispense prescription medicines at local pharmacies and hospitals. They usually assist pharmacists in preparing specific dosage drugs. Compared with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians have less responsibility in addressing patient queries and educating them on medications. Pharmacy technicians handle administrative tasks and inventory management under the supervision of a pharmacist.
This blog explores all the aspects to consider when hiring pharmacy technicians for your facility. Read through to find out how to hire and retain top pharmacy technicians for your facility by avoiding the common pitfalls.
Impact of hiring pharmacy technicians on your facility
A skilled pharmacy technician can be worthwhile for your facility in reducing medication errors and operating efficiently. Since pharmacy technicians handle prescription drug dispensing and other administrative tasks, it would be easy for pharmacists who supervise them to oversee the accuracy of these tasks and manage other complex pharmacy-related duties effectively.
In collaboration with pharmacy technicians, pharmacists tend to be more flexible in their duties, hence avoiding the possibility of burned-out staff. Building team dynamics within the workplace can lead to a better working environment and a satisfied workforce.
Below, we provide detailed descriptions of how hiring pharmacy technicians leads to optimized workflow, increased efficiency, and improved overall pharmacy operations.
Key things to consider when you hire pharmacy technicians
In today’s fast-paced pharmacy settings, hiring the right pharmacy technician is not just about credentials; it is about finding professionals who can adapt to both patient-facing and operational demands. With responsibilities ranging from inventory management to direct patient communication, it is crucial to evaluate both technical capabilities and interpersonal skills. The right hire can improve workflow efficiency, reduce medication errors, and enhance the overall quality of care your facility delivers.
If you are wondering, “how I can hire a licensed pharmacy technician for my hospital?” It is simpler than you think. Start by verifying their licensure and certifications, then work with trusted modern healthcare staffing platforms to ensure you are meeting compliance and hiring standards.
While you are in the process of pharmacy tech recruitment, consider the following key things:
- Education and certification: A postsecondary diploma from an accredited institution, along with on-the-job training, is needed to become a qualified pharmacy technician. Moreover, it will be ideal to hire pharmacy technicians who have completed the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) program. This certification demonstrates a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
- License requirements: The licensure requirements for a pharmacy technician vary from state to state. For some states, they need to pass a state licensing exam and often a state law exam to practice.
- Soft skills required: The most essential soft skills for a pharmacy technician are organizational skills, customer service skills, detail-oriented, active listening, etc.
- Job outlook: Like all other allied health professionals, there is an increasing demand for pharmacy technicians. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this demand is expected to rise by 6% in the upcoming decade.
- Pay scale: Pharmacy technicians often get a median annual salary of $40,300, as per the data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Avoiding common pitfalls in hiring pharmacy technicians
When you hire pharmacy technicians, considering these common pitfalls can create a significant impact on the team dynamics. A rushed or incomplete hiring process can lead to mismatches that affect workflow and morale. Taking time to address these areas early on will pay off in long-term retention and team harmony.
If you have a question like, “how do most healthcare facilities recruit pharmacy technicians?” As an employee, you must know that most healthcare facilities prefer using modern healthcare staffing platforms with job boards, internal referrals, and professional networks to find licensed pharmacists who are not only qualified but also a good fit for their team culture.
These given tips ensure you are on the right path while hiring:
- Carefully examine the qualifications and experience of the candidate to avoid any future compliance issues.
- When you hire pharmacy technicians, assess their soft skills as well, since the job requires them to interact with patients.
- Do a thorough credentialing and compliance check (e.g., license verification, drug screening, pending criminal records) to ensure the pharmacy technician you are hiring is eligible to work in the state.
- Provide proper compensation on par with the market demand and follow retention strategies (e.g., training, development, career advancement opportunities) to reduce turnover rates.
- Involve current pharmacy staff while tailoring the job requirements of the pharmacy technician, as they may know the specific requirements of your facility.
Addressing legal and compliance issues in pharmacy technician staffing
To avoid potential legal problems for your facility, addressing all the compliance and regulatory concerns when hiring pharmacy technicians is essential. Neglecting these areas can lead to serious liabilities, including fines and accreditation issues.
Ensuring your hiring practices align with federal and state laws not only protects your facility but also supports high standards of patient care. A proactive approach to compliance helps reduce risk, ensures audit readiness, and fosters a safer clinical environment.
Here is a quick checklist to handle these concerns.
- Understand the regulatory guidelines prescribed by the state where your facility is located.
- Verify the certifications and credentials provided by the candidate.
- Conduct a thorough background check for criminal or drug abuse history.
- Refer to the recommendation letter from the prior facility.
- Provide a clear and detailed job description.
- Even if the hired pharmacy technicians are aware of it, ensure that you provide training on safety standards and pharmacy best practices.
- Maintain up-to-date records of the staff hired, including their license renewal details.
Importance of cultural fit in pharmacy technician recruitment
Cultural fit is an important strategy to focus on when you hire pharmacy technicians. This applies not only to pharmacy technicians but to all allied health professionals, as it can significantly impact the credibility and operational efficiency of a facility.
Having better team dynamics within the facility can promote better patient care outcomes. In a healthcare setting, not only professionals but also patients can come from diverse backgrounds. So, it is essential to make sure that proper policies are implemented to ensure a cultural fit across all the teams in your facility and increase collaboration. Improving the cultural fit can significantly impact employee retention by reducing the turnover rate.
Various steps can be taken to ensure cultural fit when you hire a pharmacy technician; this includes having a value system set for your facility and understanding the goals, values, and beliefs of the individual. Behavioral interviews, assessing soft skills, and involving more diversity in the interview board can help assess the cultural fit while hiring.
Also read: How employing a skilled pharmacist can be cost-effective for your facility
Building a long-term hiring strategy for pharmacy technicians
Employee retention is as important as employee recruitment in the healthcare sector. With more and more employees leaving the healthcare profession due to burnout, workload, and high turnover rates, it is vital to build a long-term hiring strategy for pharmacy technicians. Retaining skilled pharmacy technicians not only reduces the cost of rehiring but also ensures continuity in patient care and operational stability. A structured retention plan helps facilities maintain a reliable workforce while boosting employee satisfaction and performance.
Here is a brief list of points to consider when hiring pharmacy technicians to facilitate long-term employee retention.
- Conduct a detailed interview to check the experience, skills, and goals of the candidate.
- Provide compensation based on market standards.
- Fostering a flexible work environment emphasizing employee wellness.
- Create opportunities for the upskilling of the hired pharmacy technicians.
- Establish a proper pathway for progression.
- Implement policies to ensure cultural fit and reduce staff burnout.
For a better understanding, you can see an added infographic below, which shows estimated turnover rates.
Preperiod, January 2019-March 2020; postperiod 1, April-December 2020; postperiod 2, January-October 2021
Source: jamanetwork
How MedSquirrels can help you with pharmacy technician staffing
Hiring the best pharmacy technicians for your facility while balancing aspects like cultural fit, long-term retention, and avoiding common pitfalls can be a hurdle for most facilities. To streamline all the factors mentioned above and get the best-fit talent, you can collaborate with an experienced and reputable pharmacy tech staffing solutions provider like MedSquirrels.
If you are a recruiter, you must also be thinking about how much it costs to hire a pharmacy technician for your hospital. That is where MedSquirrels stands out. With our flat-fee pricing, you skip the high agency markups and can put more of your budget toward competitive compensation for your hires.
Our platform offers cost-effective plans like the Purple Plan, the Orange Plan, and the Blue Plan for your staffing requirements, making it easy for healthcare facilities of all sizes to streamline staffing operations. Whether you need to fill one role or scale your team, MedSquirrels provides a scalable solution backed by proven results.
MedSquirrels is an all-in-one platform that will take care of your end-to-end pharmacy technician staffing needs. To hire a pharmacy technician, sign up on our platform and post the job description specific to your facility’s requirements. Our platform will pre-screen the candidates’ profiles and share the top matches with you in 2-5 business days for further processing. With our AI-based platform and expert team, we ensure zero risk and compliance issues throughout the hiring process.
What makes us different from other pharmacy technician companies is our unique flat fee pricing, which allows you to avoid paying the huge markups they charge. With this pricing model, you can be in a position to pay top dollar to hire pharmacy technicians.
To know more about MedSquirrels’ staffing platform, book a demo today.
FAQs
What are the key responsibilities of a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, and handling administrative tasks. They also interact with patients and help process insurance claims.
What qualifications should a hospital pharmacy technician have in the USA?
In the USA, a hospital pharmacy technician should have a high school diploma, complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program, and hold certification (e.g., PTCB or NHA). Some states require a state license. Strong knowledge of medications, attention to detail, and good communication skills are essential. Hospital experience and continuing education are also helpful.
How much does it cost to hire a pharmacy technician?
Hiring costs vary by region, experience level, and recruitment method. Employers should also consider onboarding, training, and benefits when calculating total costs.
How does MedSquirrels assist in hiring pharmacy technicians?
MedSquirrels offers an AI-powered platform that pre-screens and matches pharmacy technician candidates to your specific facility needs. You get qualified profiles in 2–5 business days.
How does MedSquirrels ensure compliance in hiring?
Our platform verifies credentials, licenses, and background checks for each candidate. This reduces your legal risk and ensures state-level compliance.
