Pharmacy technicians often operate in a support role, providing administrative, clinical and clerical support to licensed pharmacists. There are multiple pharmacy technician certification levels, and each has its own education pathway, requirements, skills and duties. Understanding the difference between pharmacy technician II and III can help you determine if gaining additional certifications is an option for your career. In this article, we show you the roles of pharmacy technician II vs. III and highlight some of the key differences between the two career paths.

A pharmacy technician II is a medical professional who has completed the state pharmacy technician training requirements. This can include an accredited pharmacy technician training program, completion of the PTCB, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, exam and experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Experience requirements may vary by state, but typically, pharmacy technicians have at least one year of experience working under a certified pharmacist before advancing to pharmacy technician II.

A pharmacy technician III is a medical professional who has completed all the pharmacy technician I and II requirements and advances to the higher levels of study. A pharmacy technician III is typically the highest level of certification in the career path and requires more experience and training. Pharmacy tech III positions typically require a minimum of six months to one year as a pharmacy technician and up to three to five years of experience performing more advanced duties than pharmacy technician I or II. This might include light management duties or other duties as requested by the pharmacist.

Pharmacy technician II and III are very similar career pathways, with a few credentials, duties and experience requirements separating each specialization, for example:

Both pharmacy technicians II and III hold state certifications. The state certification process can vary by state, but typically it requires:

• Completion of an accredited pharmacy technician course at an institution such as MTI of New York school
• New York State licensing
• PTCB certification

Both pharmacy technicians II and III study similar topics, including medical ethics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and pharmacology. These topics can help prepare you for a career in medicine as a support figure to the pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians at all levels have the option to pursue higher education and advance to the position of a pharmacist. The education and experience they gain as pharmacy technicians can help prepare them for more advanced coursework and concepts and for managing a pharmacy

Pharmacy technicians II and III work in similar environments. Some pharmacy technicians may work in a customer-service setting where others may work in a more private setting, such as online pharmacies. Here are some typical work environments for pharmacy technicians II and III:

This is one of the most common workplaces for pharmacy technicians. Retail pharmacies include drug stores, department stores and standalone pharmacies. These pharmacy technicians may serve a dual role as pharmacy technicians and store associates.

Online pharmacies deliver prescriptions directly to patients. Pharmacy technicians II and III perform many of the same duties as they would while working in retail or in a hospital.

Pharmacy technicians of both levels can also work in medical facilities such as hospitals, long-term care centers or nursing homes. These facilities may require additional skills and knowledge, like first aid or CPR.

Pharmacy technicians II and III can work to educate new pharmacy techs and help advise them on their career paths. They can work at private universities or technical schools or private company education centers.

While pharmacy technician II and pharmacy technician III may perform similar duties, some key differences in their everyday responsibilities highlight the differences in education and skill level. These differences include:

Here are some primary responsibilities for a pharmacy technician II:

• Using pharmacy equipment, including software
• Using medical packaging and labeling prescriptions
• Assisting with prescription preparation
• Entering data for work reports and patient paperwork
• Engaging customers and patients
• Collecting and maintaining data
• Following medical ethics codes
• Storing and organizing medication
• Locating correct prescriptions by name
• Filing insurance paperwork

Here are some primary responsibilities for a pharmacy technician III:

• Classifying pharmaceuticals
• Preparing daily work reports
• Supervising other pharmacy technicians
• Ensuring the pharmacy team meets goals and expectations
• Performing advanced prescription preparation
• Performing performance evaluations for other technicians
• Conducting quality assurance audits
• Following state and local narcotics storage regulations
• Answering patient questions and comments
• Performing inventory maintenance and control

The pharmacy technician internship is designed to enable students to obtain hands-on experience in a pharmacy setting. The primary objective of the internship is to be sure the student gains practical experience, knowledge, skills, and insight into the various aspects of the pharmacy technician job. It is structured to be a learning experience, so the student and preceptor/teaching personnel should commit themselves to working toward that objective. This internship brings together all of the academic knowledge gained in the classroom with practical hands-on participation in various pharmacy settings. The clinical experience gained at these sites is invaluable in ensuring that the student becomes a competent pharmacy technician in all settings. Evaluation forms for both the student and preceptor must be completed separately. Ambulatory care settings include chain pharmacy, independent pharmacy, and outpatient hospital/clinic pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technician Internship II is similar to the Community Practice externship except that students are exposed to pharmacy practice in a Hospital or institutional care setting. The primary objective of internship is to be sure the student gains practical experience, knowledge, skills, and insight into the various aspects of the pharmacy technician job in a structured learning environment. This internship brings together all of the academic knowledge gained in the classroom, with an emphasis on aseptic technique and sterile product preparation. Evaluation forms for both the student and preceptor must be completed separately. Inpatient settings include nursing home, inpatient hospital, and home infusion.