Tips for Writing Great Pharmacy Technician Resume

Even though jobs for pharmacy technicians are expected to be plentiful in the near future, that does not mean it will be easy to land a job as a technician.   Having a well put together resume tailored to the position and pharmacy you are applying to is a must.  Your resume should be compelling and tell the pharmacy what you bring to the table that can benefit the team already in place.

When putting together your resume to submit to a pharmacy or hospital, there are several things to keep in mind.  First is your objective. This should be brief, tailored and the first at the top of your resume.  Your objective should include a willingness to learn, interest in further specialization and professional development.   Incorporating these things into your objective shows you are committed to your career and progress as a pharmacy technician.

In the next section of your resume you will want to list a summary of your qualifications.  This is the section where you would list the number of years of experience you have in a pharmacy and your aptitude in the basic subjects of mathematics, chemistry and physiology. You should also mention your proficiency with pharmaceutical terminology, sterilization techniques, and intravenous products, if you have any.   Another great qualification not to forget to include is your customer service and interpersonal skills.  These are necessary for work in the pharmacy where you consistently interact with patients, families and the pharmacy staff.  It’s a good idea to include any computer skills you have or knowledge of operating systems.

After that section should be your work history or experience.  In this section, keep in mind that volunteer work or any other exposure you’ve had to hospitals or pharmacies should be included.  List the name of the pharmacy or hospital you worked with, along with the supervising pharmacist’s name.  Under that, list the tasks you preformed while volunteering or employed at that location.  It is important to list the day to day activities as well as any initiatives you were a part of, committees you sat in on or patient counseling you assisted with.  Also, employers prefer a rich explanation of what your duties were, not a generic list.  One way to accomplish this is to begin sentences with a verb.  Your resume will read as more active and enticing to the hiring manager.

The final section should include your education or formal training.  List the name of the institution you took courses with and what degree or certificate was awarded to you.  If you took any specialized classes or focused more heavily on certain pharmaceutical arenas you can add that to your resume. Each pharmacy will have its own particular needs and criteria. Certifications should be listed here, as well as any memberships you have with professional organizations like the NPTA.  Anything that can help you stand out should be included.

Here are a few general tips for creating a good resume. Make sure your resume is free of all spelling or grammatical errors.  This is more than just common sense.  Spelling correctly is vital in the pharmacy because a misspelled word could cause fatal problems on a prescription.   Keep your resume to one page only.  The hiring manager has many resumes to sort through and the second page of your resume may not even be viewed.  Think about what can be elaborated on in the interview process and save it until that time.  You do not need to include the phrase “reference available upon request.  This is assumed.  These tips can make a big difference in landing a job as a pharmacy technician.

Sample Pharmacy Technician Resume

Cynthia E. Robinson
1175 Lilac Lane
Brunswick, GA 31520
866-466-2229

Career Objective:

Seek the Position of Pharmacy Technician in your Facility

Summary of Qualifications

  • More than five years experience as pharmacy technician.
  • Strong knowledge of and skill in aseptic technique and physical dexterity to manipulate vials, ampules, needles, syringes, and other intravenous products.
  • Several years of experience in using computer software, such as: Microsoft word, Excel, etc
  • Excellent mathematical skills and great accuracy in calculations and measurements of medications.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to interact smoothly with clients and pharmacy staff members.
  • Great body build and fitness which helps me endure the physical challenges of the job.

Employment History

  • Internship at ABC pharmacy (2009)
  • Pharmacy technician at DEF hospital (2009 – present)

Education and Professional Training

  • Pharmacy Technician diploma from XYZ community college
  • Pharmacy technician certification from ExCPT.

Reference

  • Frank A. Davis, MD (further title and contact goes here)
  • Norma J. Hayes, PharmD (further title and contact goes here)

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