Pharmacy is the art and science of preparing and administering medications. Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists prepare and dispense prescribed medication for customers. They typically work in grocery or drug stores and hospitals.
How do I become a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians usually need a high school diploma and receive on the job training. However, community colleges or vocational schools also offer pharmacy technician programs. Such programs award a certificate after a year or less of course work. Other programs last longer and lead to an associate’s degree. By completing a pharmacy technician certificate, you will learn all about medications, math used in pharmacies, and pharmacy law. Such programs also provide hands-on experiences in a pharmacy.
Common requirements for pharmacy technicians include: earning a high school diploma (or GED), on the job training or a program certificate, continuing education, and a criminal background check.
While not all states require pharmacy technicians to be certified, certification will make it easier to get a job. Some employers will actually pay for employees to take the certification exam. The Pharmacy Technician Board (PTCB) certification requires a high school diploma and passing an exam. On the other hand, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification also requires the completion of a training program or 1 year of work experience.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians review medications before given to patients and may even compound medications. In addition, they call physicians to authorize prescription refills. Other tasks include answering phone calls from customers, accepting payment for medications, and processing claims.
Furthermore, pharmacy technicians working in hospitals or other medical facilities prepare other types of medications, including intravenous medications. In addition, they may round in the hospital to distribute patient medications.
Because of the vital role pharmacy technicians play in dispensing medication, a strong understanding of math and being detail oriented are necessary traits. The ability to listen and communicate both with customers, doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists is so important as a pharmacy technician.
What is a pharmacy technician’s salary?
The average annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $33,950 in the United States. The salary made working at a pharmacy, drug, or grocery stores is almost identical at around $31,700. However, by working in a hospital, the average pay is about $7,000 more per year!
Although the need for pharmacy technicians is spread fairly evenly throughout the U.S., a higher concentration of jobs exist in Texas, Florida, and Illinois. Not only are there a lot of jobs in California as well, but the pay is almost $10,000 higher annually than other states.
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians?
Projected growth for pharmacy technicians is at 4%, which is right in line with the average growth for all occupations. With the population aging as well as the high rate of chronic diseases, pharmacy technicians will play a vital role in the community. Because pharmacies are offering more services like flu shots, technicians are needed to collect patient information and prepare more medications. On the whole, becoming a pharmacy technician offers rewarding work with less educational requirements.