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Census · Clinical · occupation code 29-2052

Pharmacy Technicians

Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.

Passes the screen · 1 of 21 tasks

  • Compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in computer.

    quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.1% of the role's time · $897M · all three pass it

Does not pass

  • Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.

    reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 7.7% of the role's time · $1.7B · waiting on a check

  • Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.

    reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 7.2% of the role's time · $1.6B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed

  • Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.

    reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.6% of the role's time · $1.4B

  • Enter prescription information into computer databases.

    reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 6.6% of the role's time · $1.4B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed

  • Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.

    physical work, outside the screen · 6.4% of the role's time · $1.4B

  • Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.

    reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.3% of the role's time · $1.4B · waiting on a check

  • Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.7% of the role's time · $1.2B

  • Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.6% of the role's time · $1.2B

  • Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.4% of the role's time · $1.2B

  • Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications, and type and affix labels.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.2% of the role's time · $1.1B

  • Mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.2% of the role's time · $1.1B

  • Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.

    reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 5.0% of the role's time · $1.1B

  • Clean and help maintain equipment or work areas and sterilize glassware, according to prescribed methods.

    physical work, outside the screen · 5.0% of the role's time · $1.1B

  • Order, label, and count stock of medications, chemicals, or supplies and enter inventory data into computer.

    physical work, outside the screen · 4.4% of the role's time · $950M

  • Transfer medication from vials to the appropriate number of sterile, disposable syringes, using aseptic techniques.

    physical work, outside the screen · 3.6% of the role's time · $791M

  • Supply and monitor robotic machines that dispense medicine into containers and label the containers.

    physical work, outside the screen · 3.3% of the role's time · $711M

  • Deliver medications or pharmaceutical supplies to patients, nursing stations, or surgery.

    physical work, outside the screen · 2.6% of the role's time · $558M

  • Restock intravenous (IV) supplies and add measured drugs or nutrients to IV solutions under sterile conditions to prepare IV packs for various uses, such as chemotherapy medication.

    physical work, outside the screen · 1.9% of the role's time · $405M

  • Price stock and mark items for sale.

    physical work, outside the screen · 1.4% of the role's time · $304M

  • Maintain and merchandise home healthcare products or services.

    physical work, outside the screen · 1.1% of the role's time · $240M

Where this role works

IndustryWorkersWage billPasses the screenAll three pass
Health and Personal Care Retailers257,120$10.6B$435M$435M
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals78,170$4.1B$168M$168M
General Merchandise Retailers45,190$2.1B$85.4M$85.4M
Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only)43,400$1.8B$72.9M$72.9M
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)7660$489M$20.2M$20.2M
Outpatient Care Centers7590$482M$19.8M$19.8M
Offices of Physicians9470$477M$19.6M$19.6M
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only)9380$420M$17.3M$17.3M
Employment Services4010$193M$8.0M$8.0M
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities4170$193M$8.0M$8.0M