Voices of Vital Care

Ep. 34 Episode 16: Behind Every Prescription: The Critical Work of Pharmacy Technicians


What does a pharmacy technician really do? Most people think of counting pills and filling prescriptions, but the reality is far more critical. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, certified pharmacy technician and instructor Ben Montoya shares how pharmacy technicians help prevent medication errors, protect patient safety, prepare life-saving IV medications, and support healthcare teams every day.

With more than 30 years of pharmacy experience and nearly two decades educating future healthcare professionals, Ben pulls back the curtain on one of healthcare's most overlooked careers. He explains the difference between certification and licensure, the importance of pharmacy technician training, how technology is transforming the field, and why pharmacy technicians are becoming indispensable partners in modern healthcare.

 

Whether you're exploring healthcare careers, considering pharmacy technician certification, or simply curious about what happens behind the pharmacy counter, this conversation offers an inside look at a profession that impacts millions of patients every day.

 

In this episode:

 

• What pharmacy technicians really do behind the scenes

 

• How medication errors are prevented

 

• The role of pharmacy technicians in patient safety

 

• Retail pharmacy vs. hospital pharmacy careers

 

• Pharmacy technician certification and the PTCB exam

 

• Externships, hands-on training, and career readiness

 

• Future opportunities in pharmacy technology

 

• The skills that lead to success in healthcare careers

 

• Why pharmacy technicians are the backbone of modern pharmacies

 

Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for conversations with healthcare professionals, educators, and industry leaders helping shape the future of patient care.

 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

 

#StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattPodcasting

 

All Episodes

06/04/2026

Ep. 34 Episode 16: Behind Every Prescription: The Critical Work of Pharmacy Technicians

06/04/2026

Ep. 33 Episode 16: Behind Every Prescription: The Critical Work of Pharmacy Technicians (Audio)

05/28/2026

Ep. 32 Episode 15: Breaking Stereotypes in Healthcare | Men in Medical Assisting & Dental Assisting

05/28/2026

Ep. 31 Episode 15: Breaking Stereotypes in Healthcare | Men in Medical Assisting & Dental Assisting (Audio)

05/21/2026

Ep. 30 Episode 14: Veterinary Assistant Career: Animal Rescue, Shelter Medicine & Community Pet Care

05/21/2026

Ep. 29 Episode 14: Veterinary Assistant Career: Animal Rescue, Shelter Medicine & Community Pet Care (Audio)

05/14/2026

Ep. 28 Episode 13: Healthcare Jobs in Under 12 Months? Admissions Experts Explain the Real Options

05/14/2026

Ep. 27 Episode 13: Healthcare Jobs in Under 12 Months? Admissions Experts Explain the Real Options (Audio)

05/07/2026

Ep. 26 Episode 12: Inside Nursing School: Life, Pressure & Purpose | Nurses Week

05/07/2026

Ep. 25 Episode 12: Inside Nursing School: Life, Pressure & Purpose | Nurses Week (Audio)

04/30/2026

Ep. 24 Episode 11: Your Pet Stops Breathing. Do You Know What To Do? | Pet CPR That Could Save Their Life

04/30/2026

Ep. 23 Episode 11: Your Pet Stops Breathing. Do You Know What To Do? | Pet CPR That Could Save Their Life (Audio)

04/23/2026

Ep. 22 Episode 10: Dental Hygiene Isn’t What You Think | High-Paying Healthcare Career with Real Impact

04/23/2026

Ep. 21 Episode 10: Dental Hygiene Isn’t What You Think | High-Paying Healthcare Career with Real Impact (Audio)

04/16/2026

Ep. 20 Episode 9: The Hidden Careers Behind Every Hospital Visit | Blake Bowen’s Journey

04/16/2026

Ep. 19 Episode 9: The Hidden Careers Behind Every Hospital Visit | Blake Bowen’s Journey (Audio)

04/09/2026

Ep. 18 Episode 8: When Breathing Stops. Who Steps In? | Inside the High Stakes World of Respiratory Therapy

04/09/2026

Ep. 17 Episode 8: When Breathing Stops. Who Steps In? | Inside the High Stakes World of Respiratory Therapy (Audio)

04/02/2026

Ep. 16 Episode 7: What Does an Occupational Therapist Do? Why This Career Is Taking Off

04/02/2026

Ep. 15 Episode 7: What Does an Occupational Therapist Do? Why This Career Is Taking Off (Audio)

03/26/2026

Ep. 14 Episode 6: You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out. Truths About Student Burnout in Healthcare Programs

03/26/2026

Ep. 13 Episode 6: You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out. Truths About Student Burnout in Healthcare Programs (Audio)

03/19/2026

Ep. 12 Episode 5: What No One Tells You About Pediatric Nursing | CNA to RN Career Path

03/19/2026

Ep. 11 Episode 5: What No One Tells You About Pediatric Nursing | CNA to RN Career Path (Audio)

03/12/2026

Ep. 10 Episode 4: The Healthcare Career Most People Do Not Understand | Diagnostic Medical Sonography

03/12/2026

Ep. 9 Episode 4: The Healthcare Career Most People Do Not Understand | Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Audio)

03/05/2026

Ep. 8 Episode 3: Movement Is Medicine: Inside the World of Physical Therapy with Dana Dichiara

03/05/2026

Ep. 7 Episode 3: Movement Is Medicine: Inside the World of Physical Therapy with Dana Dichiara (Audio)

02/26/2026

Ep. 6 Episode 2: Behind the Image: The Story of Radiography with Jennifer Carlson

02/26/2026

Ep. 5 Episode 2: Behind the Image: The Story of Radiography with Jennifer Carlson (Audio)

02/19/2026

Ep. 4 Episode 1: The Purpose behind the Practice: Why Allied Health is a smart career move

02/19/2026

Ep. 3 Episode 1: The Purpose behind the Practice: Why Allied Health is a smart career move (Audio)

02/12/2026

Ep. 2 Voices of Vital Care

02/12/2026

Ep. 1 Voices of Vital Care (Audio)