30+ Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions You Should Ask

If you’re in the process of hiring a pharmacy technician, you know that the best candidates have technical and medical knowledge as well as exceptional patient-facing skills. The accuracy of medication preparation and commitment to ethical patient interactions require that hiring managers be selective and careful when hiring their next pharmacy technician.

This article will review what skills to look for when hiring a pharmacy technician. We’ll discuss how candidates’ hard and soft skills can directly impact their level of pharmaceutical care, plus how to align interview questions with the skills you’re evaluating.

Let’s get started.

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What Skills Should a Pharmacy Technician Have?

To ensure the accuracy of medication preparation and the ethical integrity of pharmacy operations, it’s important to find candidates with proper training and certifications.

Candidates should have completed a pharmacy technician training program and certification from a recognized pharmacy technician certification board, like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Some states may also require pharmacy technicians to be licensed.

In addition to formal training, candidates can possess a few hard and soft skills that support their daily pharmacy functions:

• Familiarity With Pharmacy Operations—Candidates should feel comfortable in a pharmacy setting and completing daily functions like processing and dispensing medications, managing inventory levels, and understanding pharmaceutical calculations.
• Medical and Technical Proficiency—Successful candidates will have a deep understanding of drug names, dosages, and potential side effects, as well as familiarity with using pharmacy software and systems for prescription processing.
• Customer Service and Communication—Effective communication in person, over the phone, or through written communication is a critical aspect of the role. Candidates should demonstrate natural instincts for collaboration with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, as well as compassion and empathy towards patients.
• Attention to Detail—Pharmacy technicians must be diligent with dosage accuracy and drug interactions to conduct accurate data entry and prescription filling. They should also be able to prioritize patient-facing and administrative duties and multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Top Pharmacy Technician Interview Questions

The questions below are designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to support the integrity and accuracy of daily pharmacy operations while prioritizing compliance and patient well-being.

When asking pharmacy technician interview questions, be sure to tailor questions to fit the specific tasks and requirements of your pharmacy (and avoid potential red flags).

Interview Questions About Pharmacy Operations

1. Can you share any relevant experience you have in a pharmacy setting?
2. Share your experience with handling and documenting controlled substances within a pharmacy.
3. Explain the steps you take to ensure the cleanliness and organization of the pharmacy workspace.
4. How do you stay updated on new medications and changes in pharmaceutical regulations?
5. Walk me through the process of prescription processing, from receiving the prescription to dispensing the medication.
6. How do you plan to continue your professional development as a pharmacy technician?
7. How do you stay updated on pharmaceutical recalls and communicate relevant information to patients and colleagues?

Interview Questions About Medical Proficiency

8. Have you used pharmacy software systems, and if so, which ones are you familiar with?
9. How do you ensure accuracy in medication dispensing and prescription processing?
10. How do you stay updated on pharmaceutical products, generic equivalents, and potential drug interactions?
11. Can you provide an example of when you had to identify and resolve a medication dosage discrepancy?
12. Share an example of how you use technology to enhance your efficiency in the pharmacy.
13. How do you handle changes in pharmacy procedures or technology?
14. What steps do you take to ensure the safe handling of medications?

Interview Questions About Communication and Customer Service

15. How do you educate patients on the proper use of their medications?
16. What steps do you take to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy?
17. Have you had to advocate for patient needs within the pharmacy team?
18. Describe a situation where you had to handle a difficult patient interaction and how you resolved the issue.
19. How do you communicate with pharmacists and other team members in the pharmacy?
20. How do you sensitively provide information to patients about potential drug interactions or side effects?
21. Can you discuss your experience with handling medication recalls and ensuring patient safety during such situations?
22. Share an example of when you had to provide support and assistance to a colleague in the pharmacy.
23. How do you demonstrate empathy when interacting with patients who may be facing health challenges?
24. Describe a situation where you had to provide clear instructions on a complex medication.
25. Share an example of when you had to address a patient’s concerns about the affordability of their medication.

Interview Questions To Assess Attention to Detail

26. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time to ensure efficient workflow in the pharmacy?
27. How do you ensure accuracy when entering prescription information into the system?
28. What steps do you take to ensure proper documentation and handling of prescriptions for controlled substances?
29. Can you share an experience where attention to detail was crucial in preventing a medication error?
30. How do you manage inventory to ensure medications are well-stocked without overordering?
31. Share an example of when you had to resolve a discrepancy in medication inventory.
32. How do you troubleshoot issues with automated dispensing machines?

Find Your Next Pharmacy Technician with the Right Interview Questions

Finding the right pharmacy technician is imperative for maintaining safe and seamless pharmacy operations. Be sure to ask questions that help you align with candidates who can deliver quality patient care while maintaining ethical requirements and pharmacy best practices.