What do you feel is the most challenging part of being a pharmacy technician? How do you navigate or overcome those challenges?

"The biggest challenge that I've seen in recent years is the facility frequently being short-staffed. The pharmacy setting is fast-paced, and it's not uncommon to be overwhelmed with a full staff, so when even just one person calls in sick or has quit, and we don't backfill quickly, it causes great stress and burden on the rest of the staff. When we are enduring a staffing crisis, we come together as a team to keep morale up and to ensure we're supporting each other as best we can with the workload and providing proper breaks for each other. We may need to work extra hours in a shift to cover the workload, but working together as a team, collaborating, and communicating does help lighten the burden until we're fully staffed again. When we do hire new employees, we all welcome them and are supportive as they train and onboard so that we can increase the retention in the facility."

The role of a pharmacy technician is fast-paced and demanding. You may face a number of challenges, including working in a short-staffed facility, frequently interacting with the public and handling upset patients, staying up-to-date with new medications and their uses, constant focus and need for attention to detail, and competing priorities throughout the shift. Give a genuine answer about what you feel is challenging or would be challenging in the role and how you would navigate those challenges. Try to remain positive and avoid complaining in your answer.