Quick answer: top pharmacy technician resume skills in 2025
Pharmacy technician resume skills include complex (technical) and soft skills employers look for in prescription processing, dosage calculations, medication knowledge, inventory and record-keeping, customer service, communication, attention to detail, and digital fluency (pharmacy software/EHR). These map directly to day-to-day duties, such as filling prescriptions, organizing inventory, and assisting pharmacists, especially in retail and hospital settings.
Top 10 at a glance
- Technical: prescription processing & medication dispensing; dosage calculations/compounding; medication knowledge & drug classifications; regulatory compliance; pharmacy software/EHR.
- Soft: customer service; communication; teamwork; attention to detail; adaptability.
Table of contents
Jump to:
- What employers look for (and why it changed in 2025)
- Technical (Hard) Skills for Pharmacy Technicians
- Soft & Interpersonal Skills that win interviews
- Workplace & Digital Skills (ATS-friendly keywords)
- How to list skills on a pharmacy technician resume
- Pharmacy technician résumé examples (entry-level & experienced)
- Education, certification & licensure (CPhT, ExCPT, state specifics)
- Cover letter & ATS optimization tips for pharmacy techs
- FAQ
- External authoritative sources
- Compliance & disclaimer
- Alt text suggestions
What employers look for (and why it changed in 2025)
Employers still prioritize accuracy, speed, customer service, and safety, but job ads in 2025 more explicitly call out software/EHR navigation, automated dispensing systems, and HIPAA-aware record-keeping. That mirrors current duties, such as dispensing, measuring, packaging, and organizing inventory, as well as interacting with protected health information.
Below is a concise table of 20 résumé-ready skills with a plain-English reason to include each.
| Skill (use as bullet keyword) | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Prescription processing & medication dispensing | Core daily tasks in retail/hospital; shows accuracy and patient safety. |
| Dosage calculations (incl. conversions) | Prevents dosing errors; required in every setting. |
| Nonsterile/sterile compounding | Signals readiness for hospitals and compounding pharmacies. |
| Medication knowledge & drug classes | Supports safe fills and timely interventions with the pharmacist. |
| Regulatory compliance (state/federal; controlled substances handling) | Demonstrates safety, audit-readiness, and professionalism. |
| Pharmacy software (e.g., PioneerRx, Rx30) & EHR navigation | Reduces onboarding time and keeps workflows efficient. |
| Automated dispensing systems (Pyxis, Omnicell, Parata) | Common in hospitals and high-volume sites; improves accuracy and speed. |
| Inventory management & ordering | Cuts stockouts and waste; improves service times. |
| Record-keeping accuracy; HIPAA privacy | Required for legal compliance and patient trust. |
| Customer service | Directly impacts patient satisfaction and adherence. |
| Verbal communication | Ensures clear directions, safe handoffs, and fewer misunderstandings. |
| Written documentation | Clean, complete records help the whole care team. |
| Teamwork & collaboration | Pharmacies run on coordinated effort between techs, pharmacists, and other staff. |
| Attention to detail | Minimizes errors in very busy environments. |
| Prioritization & time management | Keeps wait times low; triages STAT and urgent fills. |
| Problem-solving & critical thinking | Handles insurance rejections, inventory issues, and workflow gaps. |
| Adaptability & willingness to learn | Supports new software, regulations, and workflows. |
| Confidentiality & professionalism | Essential in any patient-facing role; protects privacy. |
| MTM software familiarity | Useful in pharmacies offering medication therapy management services. |
| POS/insurance basics | Speeds checkout and resolves claim rejections on the spot. |
Note: These are meant to be examples to help you think of the skills you possess and should list. Only list skills you actually possess, and keep specific brand names only if you’ve actually used them.
Technical (Hard) Skills for Pharmacy Technicians
Use clear, recruiter-friendly names for your hard skills while still describing what you actually did.
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Include dosing math (mg↔mL), days’ supply, and basic IV flow-rate concepts. One résumé-ready example might be: “Calculated pediatric amoxicillin suspensions and verified days’ supply for accuracy.”
Prescription Transcription
Show that you can translate directions (SIG), check NDC, strength, and dosage form, and queue prescriptions for pharmacist verification. For example: “Transcribed new and refill prescriptions, verifying patient, prescriber, drug, strength, and directions before pharmacist check.”
Medication Knowledge
Mention experience with drug classes (e.g., ACE inhibitors, SSRIs, insulins) and awareness of look-alike/sound-alike medications. Example: “Recognized and double-checked look-alike/sound-alike medications during filling and inventory checks.”
Regulatory Compliance
Reference controlled substance handling, pseudoephedrine logs, and board-of-pharmacy rules. For instance: “Maintained accurate controlled substance records and daily counts in alignment with state and federal regulations.”
Compounding (nonsterile/sterile)
If applicable, list USP <795> and <797> exposure and batching experience. Example: “Prepared nonsterile compounds (suspensions, ointments) using USP <795> guidelines and documented lot numbers and beyond-use dates.”
Pharmacy Software & Technology
Group your tools under one skill cluster and show what you accomplished using them:
- Pharmacy management systems (e.g., PioneerRx, Rx30)
- Electronic health records (EHR) such as Epic or Cerner
- Automated dispensing cabinets (e.g., Pyxis, Omnicell, Parata)
- Barcode verification and e-prescribing platforms
Resume bullet formula for hard skills: Action verb + task + tools + result.
Example: “Prepared 120+ daily fills using PioneerRx; resolved 95% of insurance rejections at point of sale, cutting patient wait time by ~3 minutes.”
Soft & Interpersonal Skills that win interviews
Teamwork & Collaboration
Employers want technicians who work smoothly with pharmacists, nurses, and front-end staff. Example: “Partnered with pharmacists and nurses to coordinate vaccination appointments and fill flow during flu season.”
Customer Service
Strong service skills keep patients loyal and improve adherence. Example: “Provided calm, clear explanations of pickup times and refills; used teach-back to confirm understanding.”
Conflict Resolution
Pharmacies see frustrated patients, high copays, and rejected claims. Show you can defuse tough situations: “Resolved insurance billing disputes through empathetic communication and accurate claim resubmission while protecting PHI.”
Empathy & Cultural Sensitivity
Many patients are dealing with serious health or financial issues. Demonstrating empathy and respect builds trust and better health outcomes.
Professionalism & Integrity
Highlight that you follow store or hospital policies, show up on time, and maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. Employers often view this as non-negotiable for anyone handling medications and patient information.
Workplace & Digital Skills (ATS-friendly keywords)
Time Management
Technicians juggle queues, phone calls, callbacks, and STAT orders. Résumé example: “Managed high-volume prescription queue, balancing walk-ins, e-prescriptions, and phone requests to keep average wait times under 15 minutes.”
Inventory Management
Show that you understand ordering, cycle counts, expirations, and returns. Example: “Conducted weekly cycle counts and adjusted par levels, reducing out-of-stock incidents by 15%.”
Prioritization & Problem-Solving
Employers need techs who can decide what comes first and fix issues without constant supervision. Example: “Prioritized STAT medication requests and triaged non-urgent refills during peak times to maintain safe, efficient workflow.”
Record-Keeping & Data Entry
Accurate logs, profiles, and reports are critical for audits and patient safety. Example: “Maintained complete and accurate patient profiles, allergies, and insurance data, supporting safe dispensing and successful audits.”
Confidentiality & Privacy (HIPAA)
Pharmacy technicians handle protected health information (PHI) daily. Emphasize that you understand and follow HIPAA requirements, keep conversations private, and secure printed and electronic records.
Digital Fluency
Job postings increasingly call out digital skills explicitly. Examples to mention:
- E-prescribing and refill authorization workflows
- Barcode scanning and verification
- Medication therapy management (MTM) software
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems and basic insurance claim entry
Use the exact keywords from the job ad (if they match your experience) to help with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
How to list skills on a pharmacy technician resume [step-by-step]
Aim for 8–12 skills total, organized into categories like Technical, Soft, and Digital. Place the skills section above your Experience and below your summary so hiring managers see it quickly.
Steps
- Match the job ad.
Highlight repeated skills and credentials (for example, CPhT, Pyxis, Epic, bilingual). Use those exact words if they accurately reflect your background. - Write a focused summary (2–3 lines).
Combine setting and years of experience, your standout strengths, and your credential/exam status. Example: “Retail pharmacy technician with 2+ years of experience, strong customer service, and active CPhT certification.” - List 8–12 skills.
Choose 5–7 technical skills and 3–5 soft/digital skills that map directly to the job posting. - Quantify achievements in your bullets.
Use the formula: verb + what you did + tools + outcome (%, #, or time). Example: “Processed 150+ scripts per day using Epic and Pyxis with <0.2% correction rate.” - Keep formatting ATS-safe.
Use a single column, standard headings, and common fonts. Avoid images, charts, text boxes, and heavy tables. Save as PDF only if the employer says PDF is okay; otherwise use .docx.
Example skill lines
Technical skills:
Prescription processing • Dosage calculations • Compounding • Pharmacy software (PioneerRx) • EHR (Epic) • Automated dispensing (Pyxis)
Soft skills:
Customer service • Teamwork • Attention to detail • Communication • Problem-solving
Pharmacy technician résumé examples (entry-level & experienced)
Entry-level summary example
“Pharmacy technician trainee with externship experience in a high-volume retail setting; strong customer service, fast learner on PioneerRx, and CPhT candidate scheduled for the PTCE.”
Entry-level experience bullets
- Completed 160-hour externship; processed 60–80 daily fills under supervision while maintaining accurate inventory logs.
- Used teach-back techniques to improve patient understanding of dosing instructions and pickup windows.
- Assisted with e-prescription intake, refill requests, and third-party billing resolution.
Experienced summary example
“CPhT with 3+ years in hospital pharmacy; proficient with Epic, Pyxis, IV admixtures, and controlled-substance audits; recognized for accuracy, collaboration, and training new technicians.”
Experienced experience bullets
- Processed 150+ fills per day with <0.2% correction rate; prioritized STAT and time-critical medication orders.
- Reduced annual medication waste by 15% by tightening cycle counts, expiration checks, and par levels.
- Trained and mentored 4 new technicians on Pyxis refills, controlled-substance documentation, and safety protocols.
Education, certification & licensure (CPhT, ExCPT, state specifics)
List credentials clearly in a dedicated “Certifications” section. Include your national certification (for example, CPhT (PTCB) or CPhT (NHA/ExCPT)) and your state registration or licensure, if required.
- PTCB CPhT eligibility. Typically requires a PTCB-recognized education/training program or qualifying work experience, plus a passing score on the PTCE and compliance with PTCB policies.
- PTCB renewal. CPhT certificants renew every 2 years with continuing education (CE) that meets PTCB criteria. Check current PTCB rules for exact CE hours and topics.
- NHA ExCPT. NHA’s ExCPT exam has an updated test plan effective July 9, 2025. If your exam date is on or after that, review the latest NHA handbook and content outline.
- State requirements. Each state sets its own rules for registration/licensure, required training, supervision, and accepted certifications. Always confirm with your state board of pharmacy.
Resume tip: Put CPhT after your name only if your certification is active and in good standing. Example: Jordan Lee, CPhT.
Cover letter & ATS optimization tips for pharmacy techs
Cover letter basics
A cover letter isn’t always required, but it can help you stand out. In 150–250 words:
- Align a recent achievement (fewer errors, faster fills, better patient feedback) with the job’s priorities.
- Mention your credential or exam plans (for example, active CPhT, ExCPT candidate, or training program).
- Show enthusiasm for that specific employer and setting (retail, hospital, specialty, mail order, etc.).
ATS optimization tips
- Use the employer’s keywords naturally in your summary, skills, and experience sections.
- Stick to a single-column layout with standard headings (Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications).
- Avoid heavy graphics, tables, text boxes, and unusual fonts that some ATS cannot read.
- Save your file in the format the employer requests. If unspecified, .docx is usually safest for ATS systems.
FAQ
How do you describe a pharmacy technician on a resume?
Use a 2–3 line professional summary that combines your setting and years of experience, your top strengths, and your credential. Example: “Hospital pharmacy technician with 2 years of experience on Epic and Pyxis; accuracy-focused and patient-first communicator with active CPhT.”
What are the top skills to include on a pharmacy technician resume?
Five core technical skills are prescription processing, dosage calculations, medication knowledge, inventory management, and pharmacy software/EHR. Five core soft skills are customer service, communication, teamwork, attention to detail, and adaptability.
How many skills should I list on my pharmacy technician resume?
Listing about 8–12 relevant skills works well for most resumes. Aim for 5–7 technical skills and 3–5 soft/digital skills that closely match the job posting, then support them with concrete bullet points in your experience section.
Which technical skill is most important for a pharmacy technician?
Prescription processing and safe medication dispensing is the most fundamental technical skill, but it rests on related skills like accurate calculations, medication knowledge, and strong record-keeping. Employers look for all of these together.
Do employers prefer certified pharmacy technicians? Which certification is best?
Many employers prefer or require technicians to hold a CPhT credential through PTCB or NHA (ExCPT). List your certification prominently in your summary and certifications section, and keep it current by meeting renewal and continuing education requirements.
External authoritative sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Pharmacy Technicians (Occupational Outlook)
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) – CPhT Certification
- PTCB – CPhT Renewal Requirements
- U.S. HHS – HIPAA Privacy Rule Summary
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) – State Boards Directory
- SHRM – Tips to Tailor a Resume for ATS
Compliance & disclaimer
This article is written for pharmacy technicians in the United States. Certification, registration, scope of practice, and required supervision vary by state and employer. Always verify current requirements with your state board of pharmacy and the relevant credentialing body (such as PTCB or NHA). Nothing here is individualized legal, regulatory, or medical advice; it is educational information to help you plan your career and improve your resume.
