Careers in the medical field will continue to be in demand, and usually you can find a great medical career with only a few years of training without attending and spending money on medical school. Becoming a pharmacy technician is just one example of a medical career that requires a minimum of education requirements. If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, you’ll need to possess excellent customer service skills, be well-organized and have an eye for detail in order that you correctly administer pills and medication to patients.
Pharmacy technicians act as assistants to pharmacists to dispense medicine to patients. They fill prescriptions, count out the proper number of pills and prepare ointments. Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, pharmacies, drug stores and other medical facilities preparing intravenous medications and administering medicine to patients. In order to become a pharmacy technician, you’ll need at least a high school diploma. Some training can be done on-the-job, or you can complete a one-year program at a community college or vocational school. While enrolled in a program, you may have the opportunity to complete an internship and receive hands-on training.
A majority of states require pharmacy technicians to either have their license or gain certification. Certification is offered by two organizations: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Health career Association (NHA). In order to qualify, you’ll more than likely need to complete an accredited program, successfully pass an exam and periodically undergo continuing education courses in order to maintain your license. Even if not required in your state, it may make it easier to qualify for pharmacist jobs if you become a licensed pharmacy technician.
Statistics show that between 2010 and 2020 pharmacy technicians could see a 32% employment increase, which is much faster when compared to the average for all other occupations. In May of 2011, labor statistics showed that the 343,550 pharmacy technicians employed in American earned a yearly average of approximately $30,000. Wages may vary by work environment. For example, a technician working in a state, local or private hospital may make more than a technician working in a grocery or department store.
If you’d rather become a pharmacist than a pharmacy technician, you’ll have to earn your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which usually requires three to four years. In order to be admitted to such programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also have to earn your pharmacist license in order to qualify for any pharmacist jobs, which requires that you successfully pass two exams. Pharmacists in advanced positions such as research jobs and clinical pharmacies are required to finish 1- to 2-year residencies.
Pharmacy Staffing Agency, RPH on the Go is the nation’s most respected, most connected pharmacy staffing agency, we have more pharmacy jobs in more settings than anyone else.