---
title: A Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-pharmacy-technician/"
type: post
date_published: 2019-12-10
date_modified: 2019-12-10
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 940
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-pharmacy-technician/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/pharmacytech3-1.jpg"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Pharmacy Technician
---

# A Day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician

![How do I become a pharmacy technician](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/pharmacytech3-1.jpg)

The typical duties of a Pharmacy Technician can vary drastically based on the
work environment chosen. Read about the typical day of both a traditional
pharmacy technician and mail-order pharmacy technician to learn which path may
be best for you.

### 󠀁**The Work of a Traditional Pharmacy Technician**󠁿

_Krista Collins, Arizona College Pharmacy Technician Graduate_

“My
[job as a Pharmacy Technician](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/pharmacy-technician/what-is-pharmacy-technician/)
within a hospital setting is filled with a lot of important responsibilities.
Pharmacy Technicians are tasked with helping the pharmacy run smoothly and
efficiently by performing duties within the pharmacy, as well as throughout the
hospital itself. Compounding and filling of IV orders in our IV Room is one of
the most important jobs, and requires both attention to detail and stamina as it
is a challenging, fast-paced environment.

In addition to filling scheduled medications, we prepare TPNs, narcotic drips,
and many STAT medications continuously throughout the workday. We have to be
able to think quickly, identify and select proper medications, and figure dosing
strengths, all while ensuring that our sterile technique is perfect. Our IV Room
pharmacists depend on us to prepare everything properly, but are always present
in case of questions and to verify our work. Some Pharmacy Technicians are
tasked with the specific responsibility of stocking our Omnicell machines and
ensuring that expired medications are removed from these machines, which are
located throughout the entire hospital.

It is very important that medications are available within the Omnicell machines
so that nurses can provide the highest level of care to their patients in a
timely manner. Pharmacy Technicians are also tasked with compounding many liquid
oral medications. The Pharmacy Technician responsible for creating oral
compounds prepares all STAT, scheduled, and PRN oral medications. Some of our
other duties include cleaning and sanitizing work areas and equipment,
repackaging bulk medications, stocking medications, and ensuring that stock is
rotated and expired medications removed. In addition, we are always available to
our pharmacists to provide assistance with anything they might need throughout
the day. While the majority of questions for pharmacy staff must go directly to
a pharmacist, in many instances, Pharmacy Technicians can help identify the
problem, locate a missing medication, or answer a general question.

I feel like a lot of responsibility is on my shoulders with this job, but that
empowers me to do my best and be a great employee because people are depending
on me, and what I do makes a difference in the lives of our patients. I know I’m
my best self when I’m at work, and that makes me proud.”

#### 󠀁**Preparing for this day**󠁿

“For me, it was an easy choice to become a Pharmacy Technician. I read a lot
about the job and talked to other people I know who are in this field. When I
found the Pharmacy Technician program at Arizona College, I knew it was the
right environment for me because of the flexible schedule and hands-on training
opportunities. The faculty and staff in the Pharmacy Technician program were so
helpful in guiding me toward success in this career, and they helped me through
the certification process I needed to get started in my job. Becoming a Pharmacy
Technician has been a very rewarding career for me!”

### 󠀁**The Work of a Mail-Order Pharmacy Technician**󠁿

_Evan Phillips, Arizona College Pharmacy Technician Graduate_

“Since graduating from the Arizona College Pharmacy Technician program, I have
worked as an associate in a large mail-order pharmacy. Mail-order pharmacies are
a little different than traditional pharmacies in that we don’t deal directly
with the public in the dispensing area, but rather medications are mailed from
the pharmacy and delivered directly to patients’ homes.

Typically, my day starts off with a department meeting first thing in the
morning to cover any recent changes in practice within the pharmacy. After the
meeting, I take my place in the area I am assigned to start the day. In a
mail-order pharmacy, there are a variety of different work areas – some are more
specialized than others. I am fortunate enough to have been trained to handle
the responsibilities particular to most of the areas of the pharmacy, so my day
has the potential to be filled with a variety of different tasks. Daily duties
for Mail-Order Pharmacy Technicians can range from filling individual vials to
replenishing large dispensing cells, preparing medications and compounds, and
entering patient and prescription information into the pharmacy’s database. It’s
a fast-paced environment with a high expectation on quality that requires an
individual with an exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work under
pressure.

**Of all the things I love about my job, I think my favorite part of working as a Mail-Order Pharmacy Technician is the opportunity to continually learn new things, and the potential to advance within the field.**

My time at Arizona College helped me get the hands-on training I needed to be
successful in my career as a Pharmacy Technician.”

#### 󠀁**The First Step to Become a Pharmacy Technician**󠁿

The accredited
[Pharmacy Technician Training Program](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/)
at Arizona College is designed to prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician
certification exam as well as the licensing exam that must be passed before you
can become a Pharmacy Technician. Students are given hands-on training in
pharmacy laboratories and modern facilities, attend lectures with experienced
professors, and gain experience using technical equipment as well as pharmacy
management software.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of December 10, 2019._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs