Becoming a pharmacy technician requires dedication and commitment, but the result is a rewarding career that is not only fulfilling but can also be lucrative as well. For those who want to know how to become a pharmacy technician, the next few paragraphs will include information on pharmacy technician training and the eligibility requirements for pharmacy technician schools. Pharmacy technician salary and availability of pharmacy technician jobs will also be discussed, and those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician are encouraged to use this information as a guideline for their own research before deciding to embark on this challenging but ultimately gratifying career.

Job Description: What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

A basic pharmacy technician job description will include the dispensing of prescription medications. This means not only transferring pills and liquid medications from larger receptacles to smaller bottles, applicators or syringes, but also correctly filling and labeling bottles with individually prescribed medications, mixing medications and measuring amounts when necessary, and stocking, pricing and keeping track of the pharmaceutical inventory. While a licensed pharmacist supervises these duties, the pharmacy technician needs to have extensive knowledge and understanding of each of these tasks.

 While pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are not allowed to give medical advice concerning patient conditions and treatments, they are required to have extensive knowledge of drug interactions and side effects, and must be ready to respond intelligently to customer questions about these concerns.  Pharmacy technicians must also be able to give some general information, when requested, about specific medications.

In addition, the pharmacy technician job description includes administrative duties within the pharmacy, such as answering the phone, assisting customers and processing medical and insurance forms. These duties may be increased in other pharmaceutical venues; for instance, a pharmacy technician working in a nursing home may also be required to deliver medications to medical personnel as well as keep individual patient medication records, while those working in mail-order pharmacies must be proficient at filling a large volume of customer orders.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician: Training and Certification Requirements

Pharmacy Technician Training

Pharmacy technician training can be done in a variety of ways, but some basic requirements apply. Many states require either a high school diploma or equivalent certification, after which, those wishing to further their training can take specific courses at vocational schools, community colleges and even some hospitals. These specialized programs are often conducted in a lab setting and include laboratory work and training in pharmaceutical techniques and applications, as well as learning the names, uses and effects of prescription drugs. These programs also often include hands-on internships at real working pharmacies. Online courses in pharmaceutical training are also available from accredited colleges and vocational schools.

Depending on the school, pharmacy technician training can take from six months up to two years for a diploma or for certification. While this type of specialist training is not a state requirement, be advised that many pharmacies tend to favor applicants who have at least a high school diploma, and a further course of specialized pharmaceutical training often gives applicants an edge when applying for a job.

Pharmacy Technician Certification

As for certification, it is essential in many states that pharmacy technicians must have licensure from their state’s board of pharmacy; this necessitates that the applicant first acquire a high school or equivalent diploma. This type of licensure includes a background check, and applicants must pay an application fee; also, be prepared to wait for at least several weeks for the application to be processed.

Other certification requirements differ from state to state; while some states don’t require board certification, others do, and board certification will certainly enhance a pharmacy technician’s credentials and might easily provide increased opportunities for employment, particularly because board certification is required by some pharmaceutical employers. Towards this end, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board as well as the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians  (now part of the National Healthcareer Association) conduct examinations for pharmacy technicians. In order to be eligible to take either of these exams, applicants must have at least a high school diploma and cannot have been convicted of a felony. Likewise, applicants taking the PTCB exam cannot have had any drug or pharmacy related convictions in their past. While there is a fee for these exams, some pharmaceutical employers will reimburse this cost to their employees. After passing the exam and getting certification, pharmacy technicians are required to undergo 20 hours of continuing education over the next two years, 10 hours of which can be done hands-on at the pharmacy where they work. In addition, certified technicians need to be re-certified every two years.

Salary and Pay: How Much Does a Pharmacy Technician Make?

Pharmacy technician salaries vary across the country. According to the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey Program conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2010 the median hourly wage of pharmacy technicians was $13.65, with the mid-range averaging between $11.24 and $16.62.  Pharmacy technician salary averages at the lowest 10 percent were less than $9.27, while the top 10 percent salaries averaged more than $19.57. The median annual wage is $28,400, with the lowest 10 percent making $19,840 and the top 10 percent making $40,710. These fluctuations depend upon regional salary averages, and pharmacy technicians in some specialized settings requiring more training might make a higher wage than others. Likewise, some states pay a higher median wage than others; according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, Alaska, Washington, California, Hawaii and the District of Columbia are the highest paying areas in the country for a wide range of employees, including pharmacy technicians, so those seeking a higher salary might consider applying in one of these locations. The lowest paying states, according to these statistics, are Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma, where the annual mean wage averages at $26,000 and lower, so those who require a higher salary should take these statistics under consideration as well.

Jobs: What is the Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians?

The good news is that pharmacy technician jobs are open all over the country, in a wide variety of venues ranging from grocery stores and chain-operated drug stores, to hospitals, clinics, and assisted living facilities. With medical advances continuing at top speed, the need has grown for trained practitioners experienced in mixing and dispensing medications.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2010 there were 335,500 pharmacy technicians employed nationwide. Indicators predict that employment in this particular profession will increase faster than it will for a number of other professions, particularly for those pharmacy technicians who have certification or who have some years of experience in the field. These indicators predict an increase of employment averaging at approximately 31 percent over the 10 year period between 2008 and 2018. In numerical terms, this averages out to approximately 99,800 new pharmacy technician jobs. In particular, larger states such as California, Texas and Florida are expected to employ the most pharmaceutical workers, including pharmacy technicians, during this 10 year period.

For those seeking board certification, the prospects look particularly bright. According to statistics, those who have at least some college education make up at least 77 percent of the pharmacy technician workforce, and it is almost certain that employers will continue to seek out those who are the most highly trained for these demanding jobs. Because of this, most career counsellors advise those pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician to get as much specialized training as possible, and then to apply for board certification with either the PTCB or ICPT. In addition, hands-on work in an active pharmacy, whether as an intern or pharmacy aid, is also advisable for those who want to be considered for the best, highest-paying jobs.

What Does it Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

While this gives a basic sketch of how to become a pharmacy technician, it must be said that anyone who is considering this career must have a dedication to learning, and should try to develop a highly-honed attention to detail. In addition, those who want to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician should consider taking continuing education courses in related topics such as organic chemistry. This not only gives the applicant a strong working knowledge of the chemical makeup of prescription medications, but also helps to develop the necessary concentration required when mixing and dispensing pharmaceutical drugs.

In addition, those pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician must be able to cultivate a certain level of patience and compassion in dealing with the public. Customers who are availing themselves of the pharmacist’s services are often in pain or some physical distress, and may even be confused or frightened at the prospect of taking certain medications. While it’s part of the physicist’s job to ally those fears, the trip to the doctor is often followed by a trip to the pharmacist, and it may take a certain amount of tact and reassuring to be able to communicate effectively and compassionately with the customer.

Conclusion

These are the factors that make up the everyday life of a pharmacy technician, and that’s why it’s so important to learn about how to become a pharmacy technician. The career choice a challenging one, not only because of the educational requirements and intensive amount of knowledge required, but also because of the responsibility involved. Yet these are also the reasons that a career as a pharmacy technician can be intensely rewarding, and well worth the time and effort spent in training and certification. In the end, becoming a pharmacy technician can lead to a fulfilling, and even lifelong, career in the service of mankind.

Interest in health care professions has risen recently and questions about pharmacy technician salary and pharmacy technician pay are common. More and more people are now wondering, how much pharmacy do technicians make? It is important to know how much you can expect to make when you begin the process of training for a job. People naturally become interested in work when it sounds like they may enjoy the kinds of things that a certain job requires. However, understanding how well you could be compensated is crucial if you are going to take steps to enter a new field.

What Is a Pharmacy Technician?

If you have been to a drug store or pharmacy lately, you have almost certainly seen a pharmacy technician. These workers assist pharmacists with many aspects of their jobs. While some employees behind the pharmacy counter are simply taking phone calls and operating the register, the pharmacy technician works more closely with the pharmacist to fill prescriptions and ensure that supplies are adequate.

How Much Do Pharmacy Technicians Make?

You can expect the pharmacy technician pay to be higher than that of many other jobs because of these important responsibilities. You will work closely with a licensed pharmacist and be entrusted with great responsibility. With all that responsibility comes a professional level of pay. The range of pharmacy technician pay across the nation is between $20,000 and $40,000. Several factors account for this discrepancy in pharmacy technician salary.

Experience will determine the compensation that you receive as a pharmacy technician. As with any other profession, you will earn more pharmacy technician pay after you have acquired experience. Many of the pharmacy technicians working right now have just entered this field, which is growing explosively. They account for the lower range of the pharmacy technician salary.

The size of the facility in which you work will also have an impact on your pharmacy technician pay. When you work for a larger store, you may expect that pay will be higher. You may also be entitled to more benefits, which are hidden bonuses to your salary.

The facility in which you work, or the state which licenses you, may have different ideas about the nature of your work. Some states only allow technicians to perform a minimal number of tasks related to the pharmacist’s role. If you are not operating as independently as some states allow their pharmacy technicians to work, you may expect a lower pharmacy technician salary.

Pharmacy Technician Jobs & Benefits

When you consider how much pharmacy technicians make, do not forget some of the other bonuses that come with working in this environment. Since you will probably be working for a large chain of stores, you will likely be eligible for benefits such as a 401k, sick days, retirement funding and more. The locale of your work is also something that you might consider attractive.

Payroll benefits should not be discounted when you think about pharmacy technician pay. Sick days are just one small addition to your pay that you cannot find in a lot of jobs that may pay similar amounts. With sick days and personal days, you can actually still receive your normal pay when you are not working. Many places may also offer retirement funding, which means that they will contribute specified amounts to an investment account for you.

The environment may also be attractive to you. Pharmacy technicians work in clean, well-lit places. There work keeps them busy but in a generally quiet locale. Work hours can vary but not too many places will need you to work overnight.

Pharmacy Technician Education and Certification Requirements

Your state will have specific educational requirements for pharmacy technicians. Some only expect applicants to have a high school diploma. However, even in those regions, it looks better for an applicant if he or she has attended some sort of formal training program and received a certification. Other places may give you on-the-job training for anywhere from three to 12 months before they officially hire you and compensate you with a pharmacy technician salary. Most states also require technicians to acquire certification through a board of pharmacists or related professionals.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

If you are interested in getting a pharmacy technician salary after reading this, you are in good company. This field is growing quickly and it is expected to add many more jobs over the next decade. Contact a local pharmacy and ask them about their procedures for hiring technicians, even if they are not looking for any right now. This will give you some idea of how to present yourself for such a job successfully.

With a growing population of baby boomers in the United States there is a growing need for pharmacy technicians. If you want to benefit from the demand and you are looking for a new career, becoming a pharmacy technician may be the answer. Pharmacy technicians do not have to go to school for 6 years or more like pharmacists do and they still receive very nice salaries and benefits. One major question that some will ask when they are deciding to change careers is whether or not pharmacy technician training is required. If you are asking this same question yourself, discover the answer by reading on.

Do You Have to Complete Specialized Training to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

There are currently no federal or state level requirements that stipulate that a pharmacy technician must complete formal training to work in the field. With this being said, formal training is the best way to secure a position in the highly competitive sector.

Imagine changing careers because you have always been interested in marketing and submitting your resume to marketing firms throughout your city. You have experience in retail but no experience in marketing or an educational background. Being hired as a new marketing trainee is not realistic when you consider the fact that there are 20 candidates with either experience or a degree in Sales and Marketing.

While you do not need a degree to become a pharmacy technician you should seriously consider getting some training. This is a good way to stand out against all of the other candidates who want the same position as you do. When you enroll in a formal training program, you will learn the skills you will need to use on-the-job so that you can present yourself as a valuable asset instead of just a trainee who can learn to do tasks quickly.

The Benefits of Completing a Program Offered Through a Pharmacy Technician School

One of the primary benefits of completing a training program is the fact that you’ll gain knowledge in the field that other applicants in a competitive job market may not. While ccording to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by as much as 20 percent within the next 10 years, the number of people seeking these positions is also expected to grow. With rising demand comes a bigger supply. This is a common rule in economics and also applies to the job market.

Another benefit of completing a formal certificate program is that you will be able to complete classroom and laboratory work. This gives you the knowledge you need and the experience you do not usually get until you find a position. Some of the many areas of study include:

• medical and pharmaceutical terminology
• pharmaceutical calculations
• recordkeeping
• pharmaceutical techniques
• calculations
• medication names, uses, and doses

After you complete training, most programs will offer an internship program where you will train on-the-job. This will teach you how to multi-task and how to work in the environment before you even complete school. When you have experience as a working aide in a community pharmacy hospitals and other health care facilities are more likely to hire you. You are also showing your interest and commitment in the field which will always help during the application process.

How to Find the Best Pharmacy Technician Program

You should look for a training program that will help you prepare for professional exams so you can easily become a certified pharmacy technician. Both the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the National Healthcareer Association‘s National Commision for Certifying Agencies offer exams throughout the nation. You can find out which classes are recognized by these boards by reviewing approved classes directly. Keep in mind that there are legitimate in-class programs and programs offered through pharmacy technician online schools. You need to consider your schedule and your learning style to choose the best program for you.

Many employers are doubtful about applicants who have not completed training or who do not possess a certification. Though in most cases, the employers who will hire applicants without either of these will require the applicants to complete their certification exam within a specified period of time. Once you pass your certification exam you will need to recertify every 2 years by completing continuing education in pharmacy law and other areas of study. Now that you know what is required to become a pharmacy technician, it is time to enroll in training. Choose a legitimate program offered by an accredited school and start on the path to your new life!

People often wonder, what exactly is a pharmacy technician, and what does the job description of a pharmacy technician involve?  A pharmacy technician position can help you enter the medical field and can be a lucrative and rewarding career choice. If you are interested in helping people, learning, and advancing your career, a job as a pharmacy technician may be perfect for you.

What Is a Pharmacy Technician?

A pharmacy technician is responsible for assisting a licensed pharmacist in all aspects of running and managing a pharmacy. Many pharmacy technician job description listings include clerical work as well as cash register duties and stock and supply duties. Pharmacy technicians set up and maintain important client records, and file and handle insurance claims and payments. Additionally, ensuring the pharmacy shelves are accurately stocked and supplies are ordered in a timely manner often falls under the umbrella of a pharmacy technician’s duties. In many pharmacies, pharmacy technicians are also responsible for measuring, counting, weighing or mixing medications and attention to detail and accuracy is a must. Many pharmacy technicians directly interact with customers and help answer insurance claim and dosage questions, and perform other customer service related duties. Ringing up orders, taking cash or credit card payment and counting the opening and closing drawer of the pharmacy register are other tasks often performed by the pharmacy technician. It is not uncommon for very large pharmacies, such as those in hospitals or in patient clinics, to work with a number of other pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. Since there is a large amount of client and colleague interaction involved in a position as a pharmacy technician, good interpersonal communication skills are crucial to on the job success.

How Do I Become a Pharmacy Technician?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, harmacy technician positions are expected to grow by twenty five percent by 2018, thereby making it a stable, solid career choice. There are many paths to a career as a pharmacy technician, but most people get their training on the job. Good candidates for on the job pharmacy technician training include those with previous cash register, stocking, customer service experience, and those who possess inventory and computer skills. People will excellent communication skills and a personable, friendly and approachable manner are also prime candidates. On the job training includes observing, or shadowing, experienced pharmacy technicians. Once the rules, regulations and procedures of the pharmacy are learned, the pharmacy technician in training will slowly be allowed to perform tasks on their own until the lead pharmacist is certain they are fully trained and ready to handle the task.

Another route to becoming a pharmacy technician is enrolling in a diploma or certificate program. These programs combine classroom work as well as lab work and may even include internships or volunteer requirements in hospitals or other pharmacies. A typical pharmacy technician training program will include coursework in inventory management, pharmacy math, dosage calculations, medication order interpretation, pharmacy keyboarding and pharmacy law. Formal training programs range from six months to two years to complete and can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals and even the military. While some states require certification, others do not, so be sure you check with your state to find out what requirements you must meet in order to become a pharmacy technician.

What are the Wages for Pharmacy Technicians?

While the average earnings will vary greatly depending on the geographical location, size and customer base of your pharmacy, pharmacy technicians enjoy a mean salary of around $27,560 annually as of 2007. Since job growth is expected to increase putting more demand on the need for pharmacy technicians, this salary base should also increase as the industry grows and changes. In addition to an annual salary, some pharmacy technicians employed full time also receive benefits such as medical insurance and discounts on medications and purchases made in the pharmacy.

Entering the medical field is a great way to secure your financial future while helping others. If you are detail oriented, personable, accountable and eager to learn, a job as a pharmacy technician could be right for you. Many pharmacy technicians go on to pharmacology school to become a fully licensed pharmacist. This is therefore a career choice that can help you grow professionally. Getting into the medical field does not have to mean years of expensive schooling and taking on insurmountable student loan burdens, when a job as a pharmacy technician can be a great a path to a rewarding career.