Pharmacy technicians, or Pharm Techs as they are sometimes called, assist licensed pharmacists in the providing of medications and other health care aids to patients. Most pharmacy techs work in retail pharmacies and may perform a variety of duties. They may verify the information on the prescription, retrieve and count medications, label bottles, and answer telephones. Other duties may include stocking shelves, filing insurance claims, maintaining patient profiles and taking inventories. Duties of the pharmacy tech may vary from state to state depending upon local laws.
Job Outlook
The number of Pharmacy technician jobs is expected to increase by about 32 percent for the years 2006 through 2016. This growth is much faster than average for other occupations. Salaries for pharmacy technicians are good with a mean hourly wage of $12.32. The lowest ten percent made $8.56 and the highest ten percent made $17.65. The average salaries ranged from $10.10 to $14.62 per hour.
Pharmacy Technician Training
Most pharmacy techs receive informal on the job training and all that is required is a high school diploma or GED. Some employers may prefer pharmacy techs that have received formal training through pharmacy tech classes or are certified pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy technician schools may offer diploma, certificate, or associates degrees, depending upon the program. The programs require classroom and laboratory work, where students will practice skills that they learn. They are required to learn medication names, dosages, actions, and other information about medications.
Pharmacy technicians may be required to be certified in some states. To qualify for a certification exam you must have a high school diploma or GED, no felony convictions within 5 years of application and no drug convictions of any kind. Pharmacy technicians are required to be recertified every 2 years. In order to recertify, you must have 20 hours of continuing education classes every 2 years. Many continuing education classes for Pharmacy technicians can be found online.
Strong customer service skills and attention to detail are required for pharm techs. They must be able to receive instruction, yet be able to work independently without constant directions. Math, spelling, and readings skills are important to the job. Pharmacy technicians with significant skills, experience, certification, or pharmacy tech classes can advance into supervisory positions.
Pharmacy techs work in clean, well lighted and ventilated, organized environments. They are on their feet most of the day. Most technicians work the same hours that pharmacists work, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
If you are looking for a career, becoming a pharmacy tech can be a rewarding experience with job security and a decent income. You may want to take advantage of opportunity and enter this lucrative field.
 |
