Think about the last time you picked up a prescription. Did you notice who handed you the prescription, billed your insurance and rang you up? Odds are it was a Pharmacy Technician. While the pharmacist mixes and fills prescriptions, it’s often the Pharmacy Tech that takes care of customers and other day-to-day tasks.
As the aging population continues to grow in size, Pharmacy Technicians become more and more in demand. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth for this career to far exceed the average, with an expected growth of over thirty percent between 2018 and 2028. the average salary for a Pharmacy Technician in 2020 was $38,900. However, continued growth and advancement to supervisory positions both garner higher salaries.
If this fast-paced, high-demand career path is something you are interested in, the following are steps to begin this challenging and rewarding career:
The first requirement is a high school diploma or it’s equivalent. This is necessary to be eligible for a Pharmacy Technician position.
You may then want to jump right in, accepting a position and receiving on-the-job training. Some companies do so informally, while others offer formal on-the-job training programs. Most formal programs take between three and six months to complete. Many employers prefer to hire those who have received such training, so this may help you move up within the company or to a higher-paying position elsewhere.
Another option is to complete a technical education or certification program through a college or accredited provider. Doing so increases your chances of being hired and receiving a higher salary than those who have not completed such a program. Education and certification programs generally last from six to twelve months and include both laboratory and classroom work. Some topic that are covered include:
- Pharmacy techniques
- Pharmacy/medical laws and ethics
- Record keeping
- Measurement conversions and calculations
- Medical and pharmaceutical terminology
Upon successful completion you will receive a certificate of completion or a diploma. Which you receive is dependent on the type of program you complete. While most states do not require you to be registered, a few states do require a Pharmacy Technician be registered with the State Board of Pharmacy before they can begin work. Even if you are not in a state that requires it, registering with the the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and/or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians can boost your career.
Qualification requires a high school diploma and a criminal record free of felony or any pharmacy-related convictions. Applicants must then provide proof of formal training and/or pass an exam. When looking into a training or education program, it’s a good idea to see if they are accredited by one the agencies mentioned above. Once you have passed the examination, it will be necessary to recertify every two years. You must be able to provide proof of twenty hours of continuing education within that two year period to be eligible for recertification.
Pharmacy Technicians are a vital part of the pharmaceutical team. They are critical to the success of day-to-day operations of drug stores, retail pharmacies, hospitals and mail order prescription services. This fulfilling career is in high demand, with a forecast to become even more so. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, now is a perfect time to begin.
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