Become a Pharmacy Technician
Are you looking for more than just a job? Do wish you could have a professional career without the time and expense involved with earning a 4-year degree? If you answered “yes,” becoming a Pharmacy Technician could be right for you.
Job:
A pharmacy tech job involves receiving and fulfilling prescriptions under close supervision of a pharmacist. You will likely be working in a drugstore or hospital pharmacy. Often, due to the longs hours drugstores are typically open, pharmacy techs are required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
You need to be detail oriented and possess good customer service skills, as you will be verifying a prescription’s accuracy; collecting, weighing, mixing, and/or counting medication; and answering phones, speaking with insurance companies, and, of course, taking care of clients’ needs.
Salary:
The median salary for a pharmacy tech in the U.S. is approximately $13.30 an hour; most will earn somewhere between $10.95 and $15.88 per hour; however, when you are just starting as a pharmacy technician and have little or no experience you may earn just a bit less. If you become certified, you will be able to command a higher salary. Outlook for jobs in this field is excellent with an expected increase of 35% over the next eight years.
Education:
Some states do not have any formal education requirements to become a pharmacy tech; others will require at least a high school diploma. Most states do require pharmacy technicians to register with the state board of pharmacy. The likelihood of your being hired will be better if you have completed a certification program from a pharmacy tech school.
You can find pharmacy technician training at many community colleges, hospitals, and vocational schools. Training will usually last between six months and two years. The coursework will include class work as well as lab experiences. The following are typical classes you will take:
- Medical terminology
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Pharmaceutical techniques
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmacy record keeping
You will need to complete twenty continuing education hours in order to be re-certified every two years.
Associations:
- American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
- National Pharmacy Technician Association
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Mon, Mar 15, 2010
Continuing Education, Education, Online Education, Programs