Pharmacy Technician Careers
Employment for pharmacy technicians should grow much faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging U.S. population will rely more and more on prescription drugs in coming years, so more pharmacy technicians will be needed to dispense the medications.
Training and Degree Programs for Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians attend formal training programs to earn diplomas, certificates, and associate's degrees. In these programs, pharmacy technicians receive training in such topics as recordkeeping, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, pharmaceutical terminology, and pharmacy law and ethics. They must be familiar with medications' names, doses, and uses. Some training programs offer internships that give pharmacy technician students real-world experience. To prove their abilities and knowledge, pharmacy technicians can take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. If they pass, they become Certified Pharmacy Technicians and increase their likelihood of finding an attractive job.
Working as a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians serve as assistants to pharmacists. They label pill bottles and count pills, wait on customers, take money and make change, and stock the pharmacy's shelves. Some pharmacy technicians work in hospitals or nursing homes. These technicians also read patients' charts, prepare medicine, and take it to the patients. Pharmacy technicians' hours vary according to where they work. Technicians who work in hospitals and retail pharmacies might have to work nights or weekends. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that pharmacy technicians earn $11.37 per hour on average.
If you are interested in medicine but do not have the time to complete a pharmacist degree program, a career as a pharmacy technician is a great choice.
Pharmacy Technician Careers
Employment for pharmacy technicians should grow much faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging U.S. population will rely more and more on prescription drugs in coming years, so more pharmacy technicians will be needed to dispense the medications.
