Pharmacy technician InternAt — Bolsa Care Pharmacy

A pharmacy technician intern working under direct supervision of a pharmacist  supports pharmacist in delivering safe and efficient pharmacy services while gaining hands-on experience to develop the skills and knowledge required for a certified pharmacy technician role. 

Task:

1. Medication Dispensing and Inventory Management
Tasks:
Prescription Filling: Accurately fill prescriptions under supervision, including counting, measuring, and labeling medications. Example: Fill 10 prescriptions daily, ensuring correct drug, dosage, and patient information.
2. Pharmacy Operations and Workflow

Training:

On-the-Job Training (OJT):
Description: Interns work directly under the supervision of licensed pharmacists or experienced pharmacy technicians to perform real-world tasks, such as filling prescriptions, managing inventory, and interacting with patients.
Outcomes Addressed: Medication dispensing, inventory management, pharmacy operations, patient communication, and professionalism.
Implementation: Hands-on practice with tasks like interpreting prescriptions, using pharmacy software, and handling customer inquiries, with immediate feedback from supervisors.

Shadowing and Observation:
Description: Interns observe pharmacists and technicians performing daily duties, such as counseling patients, or processing insurance claims, help pharmacist answer non-clinical questions.
Outcomes Addressed: Understanding workflow, pharmacology, patient interaction, and regulatory compliance.
Implementation: Structured observation sessions where interns follow a mentor, take notes, and ask questions to understand processes before performing them independently.

Didactic Instruction and E-Learning Modules:
Description: Formal training through lectures, or written materials covering topics like pharmacology, pharmacy law, and safety protocols.
Outcomes Addressed: Pharmacology knowledge, regulatory compliance, and preparation for certification exams.
Implementation: Pharmacy-provided training sessions or access to platforms like those offered by the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) or employer-specific modules, followed by quizzes to assess understanding.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:
Medication Dispensing and Inventory Management:
Understand and apply procedures for accurately dispensing medications, including interpreting prescriptions and labeling.
Gain proficiency in managing pharmacy inventory, including ordering, stocking, and tracking medications, while ensuring proper storage conditions.
Pharmacy Operations and Workflow:
Learn the daily operations of a pharmacy, including workflow processes, prescription processing, and customer service.
Develop skills in using pharmacy software systems for patient records, billing, and prescription management.
Pharmacology and Drug Knowledge:
Acquire basic knowledge of commonly prescribed medications, including their uses, dosages, side effects, and interactions.
Understand drug classifications and the differences between brand-name and generic medications.
Patient Interaction and Communication:
Develop effective communication skills for interacting with patients, addressing inquiries, and providing medication counseling under pharmacist supervision.
Learn to maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations.