A pharmacy technician's primary job is to receive and fill prescription requests for patients. These prescription requests can come from hospitals, physicians, and nurses or directly from the patient. A licensed pharmacist typically oversees their work. The preparation of a prescription requires several tasks. The duties carried out by pharmacy technicians can include:

• Retrieving prescription orders
• Counting, pouring, measuring and weighing tablets and medications
  
• Mixing medications
  
• Selecting the proper prescription container
  
• Creating prescription labels Preparing insurance claim forms
  
• Maintaining patient profiles
  
• Completing cash register transactions
  
• Answering phones
  
• Taking inventory of over-the-counter medication

After the prescription is filled, the pharmacy tech prices and files it. A licensed pharmacist then checks the completed prescription before it is given to the patient. The pharmacy tech's job also extends to the daily operation of the pharmacy itself, including interactions with hospitals and patients.

Being aware of the latest medicines and their availability. At times, pharmacy techs also advise the patient about diet and health requirements. For this reason, the state of Ohio mandates that all pharmacy technicians be certified.