Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Summary

In Maryland, pharmacy technicians must be certified. Inventory specialists can handle packaged drugs but not loose medications. Violations can lead to fines or jail time. If forced to perform uncertified tasks, discuss concerns with HR, document instances, and consult an employment lawyer or the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. Legal aid services offer free consultations.

Full Conversation

I'm just trying to figure if something I'm doing at work is legal or not
Hello David, I'd be happy to help. Could you please provide more details about your work situation? Also, knowing your location might help in providing more accurate information.
I work at a Walgreens in Maryland as an Inventory Specialist. My Store Manager has me doing things in the pharmacy (putting away drugs, pulling drugs to be filled by techs), but I have no certification and I don't know if I need certification to even be doing that.
Sure David, in Maryland:
- Pharmacy Technicians are required to be certified.
- Inventory Specialists can handle packaged drugs but not loose medications.
- Violations can lead to fines or jail time.
For more specific advice, consider contacting Maryland Board of Pharmacy.
Can you elaborate on what loose medications are?
Loose medications typically refer to:
- Drugs not in their original, sealed containers
- Individual pills or tablets outside their prescribed packaging
- Any medication not clearly labeled or identified
Remember, handling such medications without proper certification may be illegal in Maryland.
So I can't do counts?
In Maryland, Inventory Specialists like you can't count loose medications without certification. It's best if you refrain from it to avoid potential legal issues.
Okay, now for the other thing.. my store manager will not let me say no
Could you please clarify what you mean by "my store manager will not let me say no"? Are you being forced to perform tasks outside your job description or against your will?
Counting the drugs is part of my job description, but putting them away when we get them from amerisource and the "staging" part isn't
If your manager is forcing you to perform tasks that may potentially violate Maryland law and go against your job description, you might want to:
- Discuss your concerns with your manager.
- Document instances of these requests.
- If necessary, consult with a lawyer or contact the Maryland Board of Pharmacy for further advice.
I'm scared to death to say anything about it to my manager. This is my first job and I don't to mess up my reputation.
I understand your concern, David. You might want to consider:
- Speaking to Human Resources about the issue.
- Contacting an employment lawyer for advice.
- Reaching out to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy.
Remember, it's important to protect your rights and safety at work.
Would the board of pharmacy get me in trouble for doing it all this time without knowing?
It's unlikely. The Maryland Board of Pharmacy typically focuses on intentional violations. However, it's best to stop these activities and report the issue. They can guide you on next steps.
I don't want to lose my job
I understand your worry, David. However, it's important to prioritize your legal responsibilities. You may want to consult an employment lawyer to discuss your options without compromising your job. They can guide you on how to address this situation appropriately.
I just want to stop being asked to do things that aren't even part of my job.
David, are you comfortable discussing your concerns with Human Resources? They can provide guidance and help address the issue with your manager without jeopardizing your job. It's important to remember that you have rights as an employee, including the right to a safe and legal working environment.
I'm not sure. I've heard that HR is only there to help the company stay out of trouble
While it's true that HR helps the company abide by laws, they're also there to ensure employees' rights are respected. If you're uncomfortable, you could seek advice from an employment lawyer or a trusted mentor first.
Can you me a way to talk to an employment lawyer? I'll do it as long as long as it's free. I'm not necessarily trying to take this to court
Absolutely, David. You can consult with an employment lawyer for free through legal aid services. In Maryland, you can contact Maryland Legal Aid or the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland. They offer free legal consultations and can guide you further.