A career in pharmacy can be both a challenging and rewarding way to earn a living. Pharmacy technicians work in drugstores, as well as pharmacies in department and grocery stores. Their job is to receive and dispense prescription medication under the supervision of a pharmacist. As with any career, pharmacy has both advantages and disadvantages. The following information can help you decide if a career in pharmacy is right for you.
Industry Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for pharmacy technicians are expected to continue increasing at a rate of 12 percent until 2026. This is compared to a 14 percent increase among general health technicians and a 7 percent increase for all occupations. Reasons given for this include an aging population with increased needs for prescription medications, as well as increases in the rates of diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Pharmacists are now taking on more roles than before, including administering flu shots. The consequence of this is that many tasks previously performed by pharmacists are now left to senior technicians. These include gathering patient information, verifying the work of less experienced techs and preparing different types of medications. It’s also not unusual to see a pharmacy tech answering phones, stocking shelves, or handling a cash register.
Education and Training
Compared to other healthcare fields, pharmancy technician requirements are not very stringent. Aside from needing a high school diploma, pharmacy techs have traditionally received most of their training on the job. However, there are a growing number of employers looking for individuals who have graduated from pharmacy programs.
While these programs generally take 1 to 2 years to complete, online certification courses can often be completed in a few months. This is ideal for those trying to balance a busy lifestyle with new career training. Lectures and exams can be taken online at times that are more convenient to the individual.
In addition to your certification, your state may require you to register with its pharmacy board. This will require a fee, as well as passing an examination and a background check. Even if your state doesn’t have this requirement, registering anyhow demonstrates a level of dedication to the field that can impress potential employers.
Work Environment
The typical working environment for a pharmacy technician is clean and organized. The work can be repetitive, but individuals who enjoy the technical aspects of pharmacy are likely to enjoy it. Frequent contact with customers can add some variety to the experience.
Many pharmacies are open during evenings and weekends, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on individual needs. While it is possible to work a standard daytime shift, it can take some time to get on that type of a schedule. Many pharmacy techs work nights, weekends and holidays, with much of that time spent on their feet.
Salary
The median salary of a pharmacy technician is $30,920 (May 2016). Some opportunities will naturally offer more. The highest are usually those that involve working for government agencies.
While this may seem low compared to a pharmacist’s salary, it’s less of an issue for someone seeking a career that doesn’t require a 4 year degree. It’s also a great way to work in the field, while studying to become a pharmacist. Keep in mind that it’s also possible to move up to a supervisory position, as well as to specialize in working with medications used in chemotherapy or nuclear medicine.
For many pharmacy techs, the greatest satisfaction lies in knowing that they’re making an important difference in people’s lives. While this is common in many fields within the healthcare industry, pharmacy is one of the easiest to get into. The work can be very challenging, but most technicians would agree that having a sense of purpose makes it much easier to enjoy.
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