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Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions

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  1. What do you think is the most important quality for a pharmacy technician to have? See answer
  2. How do you respond to a customer who is frustrated about how long it takes to get their medication refilled? See answer
  3. Can you tell me about a time that you had to assist the pharmacist due to a sudden emergency? See answer
  4. How do you make sure that you get priority prescriptions filled in the right amount of time? See answer
  5. Can you tell me about a time that you identified a medication error and what you did in order to resolve it? See answer
  6. How would you respond if a patient gave you a handwritten prescription but you couldn’t read parts of the doctor’s writing?
  7. Pharmacy technicians communicate with healthcare providers to confirm and refill prescriptions. What would you do if a patient requested a refill but the doctor wouldn’t respond to the request?
  8. How do you keep track of how many pills you’ve already counted when measuring a large prescription?
  9. When preparing medications for pickup, what methods do you use to make sure you put the correct label on each container?
  10. Explain the appropriate steps for confirming a patient’s identity before discussing the status of their prescriptions.
  11. Do you have experience processing prescriptions for patients that have both primary and secondary insurance providers?
  12. Customers may be stressed about being sick or getting access to their medication. How do you stay positive and provide excellent customer service regardless of a customer’s attitude?
  13. What would you do if a patient asked for medication counseling but the pharmacist on staff was taking their lunch break?
  14. Explain the different storage techniques and specifications pharmacies use to make sure the medicines are safe and effective.
  15. Are you confident that you can multitask and fill multiple patient orders without making an error?
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6 Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

What do you think is the most important quality for a pharmacy technician to have?

A:

You should ask this question because it shows whether or not the pharmacy technician will be a good fit for your business. The ideal candidate will be able to name one or two essential qualities and list the reasons why they are critical for working as a pharmacy technician. The candidate should also be able to explain how their own skills fit into this requirement. What to look for in an answer:

  • Decisive statement of the most important quality
  • Explanation of why the quality is critical
  • Their attributes related to the listed characteristic

Example:

“The most important quality in a pharmacy technician is an attention to detail so that they can always focus on the task at hand.”

Q:

How do you respond to a customer who is frustrated about how long it takes to get their medication refilled?

A:

You should ask the pharmacy technician candidate this question because part of their job will be to deal with frustrated, ill or impatient customers. Their answer to this question demonstrates the type of customer service the pharmacy technician will be able to deliver even if they have put in long hours or the pharmacy is understaffed and they are personally overwhelmed. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to identify a frustrated customer
  • Skills at communicating in a calm way
  • Knowledge of how to diffuse tense situations

Example:

“I acknowledge the long wait, apologize to the customer and tell them that it is our goal to serve them safely, respectfully and efficiently.”

Q:

Can you tell me about a time that you had to assist the pharmacist due to a sudden emergency?

A:

This is a helpful question to ask because it shows the pharmacy technician’s ability to cooperate and work as a team in a fast-paced environment. Teamwork is key to ensuring that tasks get done on time and that they get done correctly. The ideal candidate can demonstrate both their ability to work independently and their skills at working on a successful team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Description of the situation
  • Ability to quickly assess the needs of others
  • Skills at working efficiently until a task is done

Example:

“When there was an unexpected ceiling leak, two technicians and I removed the medications to a safe and secure area during the cleanup process.”

Q:

How do you make sure that you get priority prescriptions filled in the right amount of time?

A:

This is a good question because it gives the pharmacy technician a chance to demonstrate their efficiency and ability to work independently without constant supervision. Their answer tells you whether or not the pharmacy technician is able to complete tasks and maintain a required level of productivity. The answer also shows their ability to prioritize certain tasks over others. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Efficiency at basic work activities
  • Skills at planning tasks in order to maximize their productivity

Example:

“I fill the priority orders and use our established procedures for ensuring that prescriptions awaiting pickup are properly organized, making them easy to find.”

Q:

Can you tell me about a time that you identified a medication error and what you did in order to resolve it?

A:

This is a good question to ask because it highlights the pharmacy technician’s knowledge of safety procedures. It demonstrates their ability to pay attention and their knowledge of what to do when an error is discovered. The ideal pharmacy technician knows how to identify the error, report it to the supervisor and document the situation according to the company’s procedures. What to look for in an answer:

  • Concise description of the situation
  • List of actions taken
  • Steps taken to prevent similar errors in the future

Example:

“I discovered a contraindication of a prescribed medication for a patient. I immediately reported it to my supervisor and contacted the prescribing physician.”

Q:

How would you respond if a patient gave you a handwritten prescription but you couldn't read parts of the doctor's writing?

A:

Evaluating a prescription to determine which medication a patient needs is one of the main jobs of a pharmacy technician. While many healthcare providers submit prescriptions electronically or over the phone, some still use physical prescription pads. Interviewers ask this question to test a pharmacy technician's adherence to protocol and attention to detail. Top pharmacy technician candidates should be able to address missing or unclear information on a written prescription in a professional and cautious manner.

A successful answer might include:

  • Communication with the patient
  • Knowledge of regulations
  • Follow-up

Here is one sample reply:

Example:

"I'd apologize to the patient and explain that I can't interpret the writing and want to make sure they get the right medication. Because I'm legally obligated to confirm the information with their doctor, I'd call in right away explaining the issue and regularly follow up until I had the necessary clarification to move forward with filling the prescription."

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