The career for a pharmacy technician is among the ones that offer great job security since it is pretty much connected to the field of healthcare. And because healthcare will always be a necessity no matter what the economic situation is, the need for medications will become more prevalent as well. While licensed pharmacists are the head of the pharmaceutical operations, they rely on pharmacy technicians when it comes to receiving and filling up of prescription requests, as well as other duties that are related to pharmaceutical operations. For anyone who wants to become a pharmacy technician, it would be helpful to understand what this career is all about.
Similar to other healthcare careers, the pharmaceutical industry also has an excellent growth rate, especially as the population continues to grow and the increase in demand for various kinds of prescription medication. The rate of growth for this career has increased to an astounding rate of 31 percent through the year 2018 based on the data gathered by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increasing demand for pharmacy technicians are triggered by several factors such as the technological advancements in medication, increase in the number of elderly people, and the prevalent use of prescription drug coverage.
Although you can become a pharmacy technician without undergoing any sort of formal training program, studies show that more companies and pharmaceutical establishments prefer hiring applicants that have undergone a formal training program. The healthcare field is getting more and more competitive as time goes by, and getting into accredited formal training programs can help you stay on top of the list, particularly during job applications and interviews. It would also be better if you get into a formal training program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Aspiring pharmacy technicians can either go through a Diploma or Degree program depending on how in-depth and intensive he wants his training to be. A Diploma program can take about 6 months to a year to complete, while getting an Associate’s Degree will require 2 years of training. Training programs usually consist of classroom and laboratory work. Whichever program you take will help you acquire the technical knowledge and skills needed of a pharmacy technician. You can expect to be given lessons regarding the proper way of filling up prescription requests, labelling of medications, managing inventory, and in customer service as well.
Getting certification will also be important once your training has been completed. With certification, you will be able to demonstrate the quality of your skills and experience, plus it will grant you the authority to use the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Should you ultimately decide to become a pharmacy technician, great financial rewards also await if you manage to establish a solid educational background, acquire certification, get sufficient work experience, and pursue continuing education as well. The amount of salary you will receive as a pharmacy technician will, of course, vary depending on the strength of your credentials.