Pros and Cons of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians fill prescriptions for medications under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. Take a look at some of the following pros and cons of this career.
| Pros of a Career as a Pharmacy Technician |
|---|
| Employment opportunities projected to grow faster than average from 2012 to 2022* |
| High public contact work with opportunity to assist others* |
| Some employers offer on-the-job-training* |
| Choice of different employment venues* |
| Cons of a Career as a Pharmacy Technician |
|---|
| Routine work performed standing up may become repetitious and tiring* |
| Some customers may be impatient or difficult* |
| Certification requirements are inconsistent from state to state* |
| Evening, holiday and weekend work* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Essential Career Information
Pharmacy technicians perform a variety of related tasks under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Their primary responsibility is to read and then fill prescriptions that have been submitted either directly by a patient or electronically from a doctor's office. Filling prescriptions can involve counting, pouring, measuring, weighing or mixing medications. After a script has been filled, the pharmacist will check the technician's work for accuracy. In addition to processing scripts, pharmacy technicians may be responsible for establishing patient profiles and updating their medication records.
Pharmacy technicians also perform cashier duties, conduct inventory procedures, process insurance claims and respond to basic customer service inquiries in person or over the telephone. They must make sure that the medications they work with are properly stored in a secure place and that the equipment and workspaces they use are clean and well-maintained. This is not a desk job. Pharmacy technicians spend most of their time on their feet and must be able to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Career Prospects and Salary Info
Pharmacy technicians can be employed by retail chains, hospitals, long-term care facilities and mail-order pharmacies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to increase 20% from 2012 to 2022, which is faster than average for all occupations (www.bls.gov). The median salary for pharmacy technicians as of May, 2014, was $29,810. Formally trained technicians and those with retail pharmacy experience will have access to a variety of excellent opportunities.
What Are the Training or Education Requirements?
A high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum requirement necessary for obtaining a job as a pharmacy technician. Although the majority of technicians are regulated by individual states, the requirements can vary and may include a formal training program and an exam. These can be verified by checking with a state's Board of Pharmacy. When they apply for a position, all aspiring pharmacy technicians should expect to undergo a criminal background check.
Some retail pharmacy chains and departments provide technicians with on-the-job training. Certificate and associate's degree programs in pharmacy technology are also available at community colleges and vocational schools. A certificate program will usually take a year or less to complete, and coursework will be limited to job-related topics. An Associate of Applied Science degree program will generally require two years of full-time attendance and classes in liberal studies. At either level, the curriculum for a program in pharmacy technology will include coursework in medical terminology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical compounding and dispensing, pharmacy ethics and law and aseptic techniques. Whether you acquire your training through a college or an employer, your supervising pharmacist will expect you to be able to:
- Process prescriptions using appropriate techniques and in accordance with guidelines and laws
- Perform basic mathematical calculations
- Use computers and software necessary for communicating information, entering data and producing documents in the pharmacy environment
- Communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of healthcare professionals and customers
Real Pharmacy Technician Job Postings From Real Employers
Pharmacy technicians can be employed on a full- or part-time basis, and because some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, it is not unusual for techs to work nights, weekends and holidays. There are several different types of pharmacies, and the following job postings from April 2012 will give you an idea of the credentials and experience you will need to apply for these kinds of positions.
- A retail pharmacy chain in Oregon has an opportunity for a technician with a high school diploma or GED, 600 hours in a retail and/or pharmacy position or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Technicians will need to be certified as required by state law and undergo an employee-training program.
- A mail-order pharmacy in Ohio has an opening for a technician to fill, sort and ship orders for medications. In addition to a high school diploma or a GED, candidates must have the ability to pass the company pharmacy technician exam within one year of employment.
- A medical center in Alabama is advertising for a full-time, certified pharmacy technician to work in their hospital pharmacy. Candidates must have six continuous months of related employment, and those with intravenous admixture service experience will be given preferential consideration.
- A privately owned long-term care pharmacy in Baltimore is looking for a certified and experienced pharmacy technician to provide services to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. This employer is interested in candidates with computer, pre-authorization, billing and high-volume-dosing experience.
How to Get an Edge in the Field
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (www.ptcb.org). This three-part, timed test consists of 90 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections, the Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients, Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems and Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice. To prepare for the test, you can purchase a set of practice exams from the PTCB.
Technicians can also obtain a Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) from another NCCA-accredited organization, the National Healthcareer Association (www.nhanow.com). This professional association offers a variety of career and test-prep materials including training packages, manuals, study guides, workbooks and flash cards. A fee is required to take either the PTCB or the NHA exam, and some employers will cover the cost. Certifications must be renewed every two years, and this can be done by acquiring a designated number of continuing education hours as required by both organizations.
Related Careers
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants prepare patients for treatments and give dentists a hand during office procedures. To work in the field, some states require a certificate or a diploma from an accredited dental technology program and a passing grade on a professional exam. The BLS reports that in May 2011, the median annual salary for a dental assistant was $34,000, with employment opportunities projected to increase by 31% from 2010 to 2020.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants help doctors take care of patients by scheduling appointments, recording patient histories, measuring their vital signs and helping with physical exams. While most states do not regulate the profession, certificate and associate's degree training programs are available at community colleges and vocational schools. According to the BLS, as of May 2011, the median annual salary for a medical assistant was $29,000, with employment opportunities expected to increase by 31% from 2010 to 2020.
Medical Records and Health Information Technician
Medical records and health information technicians classify, document, record and store patient information. An associate's degree, postsecondary certificate or professional certificate is typically required for this type of work. The BLS reports that as of May 2011, the median annual salary for a medical records and health information technician was $33,000, with a 21% job growth rate projected for the period of 2010 to 2020.
Pharmacist
Licensed pharmacists dispense medications and provide information on their safe use. To obtain a license, they must pass two exams and hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited institution - a program that can take up to four years to complete. According to the BLS, in May 2011, the median annual salary for a pharmacist was $113,000 - more than all of the median salaries for a dental assistant, medical assistant and medical records technician professionals combined.
