What is a PTA? This abbreviation stands for a Pharmacy Technical Assistant, also known as a pharmacy technician. Responsible for all the technical operations, the PTA is indispensable to the pharmacist. The PTA performs a variety of tasks in a community pharmacy (your local drugstore). For example, these would include: greeting clients, interpreting and entering prescriptions using pharmacy software as well as preparing medications, counting, pouring, mixing and weighing. However, if you prefer working in a hospital environment, you will find tasks to somewhat differ depending on which department you will be assigned. The sterile preparation of injectable drugs, the filling of medication carts and inventory management are just to mention a few. Among other possible postings are specialized pharmacies, insurance companies, pharmacy wholesalers, teaching and other non-conventional avenues. Mature, dynamic, meticulous and bilingual are essential requirements for this career.