New Jersey Pharmacy Technician Program

Pharmacy technicians in New Jersey are vital in supporting pharmacists and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of medications. Their responsibilities are defined by the New Jersey Administrative Code, which outlines both permitted and prohibited activities.

What pharmacy technicians can do in New Jersey

Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy technicians in New Jersey are authorized to perform the following tasks:

• Accept written prescriptions: Receive written prescription requests from patients
• Do data entry: Enter prescription information into the pharmacy's computer system
• Prepare prescription labels: Make sure all patient info is correct for each medication
• Count and measure medications: Count tablets, measure liquids, and prepare medications for dispensing
• Package and label: Package and label prescriptions for patient delivery
• Compound medications: Assist the pharmacist in the preparation of non-sterile compounds 
• Manage inventory: Manage inventory, including stocking shelves and monitoring expiration dates
• Provide customer service: Handle patient inquiries that do not require professional judgment and direct clinical questions to the pharmacist
• Process insurance claims: Assist with the submission and processing of insurance claims

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What pharmacy technicians cannot do in New Jersey

Pharmacy technicians in New Jersey are explicitly prohibited from performing the following activities:

• Patient counseling: Providing advice or counseling to patients regarding their medications
• Clinical decision-making: Making decisions that require professional judgment, such as interpreting clinical data or changing drug therapy
• Final prescription verification: Performing the final check of a prescription before it is dispensed to the patient
• Receiving oral prescriptions: Accepting prescription orders over the phone from prescribers
• Transferring prescriptions: Handling the transfer of prescription information to or from other pharmacies
• Administering medications: Directly administering medications to patients, except under specific conditions authorized by the Board

These guidelines ensure that pharmacy technicians operate within their scope of practice, maintaining patient safety and supporting the pharmacist's role in delivering quality healthcare services.