CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

Which function is allowed for a pharmacy technician to perform?

1. Handling Schedule II (Narcotic) drugs

2. Counseling patients regarding medication use

3. Receiving refill requests from patients over the phone

4. Receiving oral prescriptions from prescribers

The correct answer is: Receiving refill requests from patients over the phone

A pharmacy technician is typically allowed to receive refill requests from patients over the phone. This function falls within the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians as they facilitate communication between patients and pharmacists. The technician can take information such as the medication name, dosage, and any specific instructions or needs that the patient may have regarding their refill. This helps ensure an efficient workflow in the pharmacy, allowing pharmacists to focus on more complex tasks such as medication therapy management and counseling. While counselors must be licensed pharmacists due to their need for extensive knowledge about medications and implications, receiving refill requests is designed to streamline processes and improve patient service, making it an appropriate task for a technician. The role of the technician includes various supporting tasks that do not require the same level of professional judgment that pharmacists possess. Handling Schedule II narcotic drugs requires additional safeguarding and is primarily within the pharmacist's duties due to the strict regulations surrounding these medications. Counseling patients regarding medication use also necessitates advanced knowledge and clinical skills that are outside the technician's capacity. Similarly, receiving oral prescriptions directly from prescribers is reserved for licensed individuals, as it involves making critical clinical decisions and entering new prescriptions into the pharmacy system accurately. Thus, receiving refill requests is the only function from the provided options that aligns with