Leveraging Pharmacy Technician Roles for Clinical Experience: A Pathway to Medical School or PA School

Written by Alexsandra Smith '23, Pre-Med

Whether you are a prospective medical student or a future physician assistant, understanding the potential of pharmacy technician roles as a stepping stone towards your goals is essential. While traditional clinical experience opportunities such as medical scribing or becoming a medical assistant remain popular choices for gaining clinical experience, an often overlooked yet immensely valuable avenue exists within the realm of pharmacy technician roles.

Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in the healthcare system, serving as members of pharmacy teams and directly interacting with patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Beyond their primary responsibilities in medication dispensing and inventory management, pharmacy technicians engage in a variety of clinical activities that provide rich opportunities for experiential learning and skill development. 

If you are anything like me, you might be needing some more information about the role before you are completely sold on whether this would be the right clinical experience for you. Let me walk you through some important skills and lessons that I’ve learned as an aspiring physician while working as a retail pharmacy technician. P.S. - these could all be used as great talking points in an admissions interview or as part of a personal statement!

1. Pharmacology: Pharmacy technicians quickly gain knowledge of medications, dosages, drug interactions, and pharmaceutical terminology. This background can be beneficial for medical or PA school applications, as it demonstrates a solid foundation in pharmacology and therapeutics, which are essential components of medical education.
2. Patient Interaction: Pharmacy technicians interact directly with patients, addressing their questions about medications, providing instructions on usage, and assisting with insurance-related questions. This experience helps develop strong communication skills and patient interaction abilities, which are highly valued in medical and PA programs.
3. Understanding of Healthcare Systems: Pharmacy technicians gain insight into the workings of healthcare systems, including pharmacy operations, insurance processes, and regulatory requirements. This understanding can be beneficial for medical or PA school applications, as it demonstrates awareness of the broader healthcare landscape and challenges within it.
4. Teamwork and Collaboration: Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists and various other healthcare professionals. This fosters teamwork and collaboration skills, which are crucial for providing effective healthcare services as either a physician or PA.  
5. Networking Opportunities: Working in a pharmacy setting provides opportunities to network with healthcare professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, and pharmacists. Building professional connections can be advantageous for obtaining letters of recommendation, mentorship, and insight into the medical or PA school application process.

Overall, the experience gained as a pharmacy technician can enhance an applicant’s qualifications, skills, and understanding of the healthcare field, making them more attractive candidates for medical, PA, or pharmacy school admissions. If you have further questions about clinical experience opportunities, Pre-Health Advising at UVA is always available to help!