Anyone who is considering a pharmacy tech career is moving at the right track because of the favorable job outlook and growth that it will be undergoing in the coming years. The demand for more pharmacy technicians is being escalated not only by the increase in population, but also by the advancements in medical research and the expansion on more pharmaceutical ventures. And because the duties and responsibilities of licensed pharmacists are becoming more patient-intensive, those of pharmacy techs become more focused on dealing with the processing and filling out of prescription drugs. The increase in older and mature people also has something to do with the spur in the demand for pharmacy techs.
Working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, a pharmacy technician is primarily responsible for a wide range of duties in the pharmacy. Among the most common duties and responsibilities for this career are checking patient records, counting/weighing/measuring of medication, labeling of medicine bottles or containers, filling out of insurance forms, and verifying prescription accuracy. If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy tech, you can enroll in a formal training program offered in most colleges and universities, either through a Certificate or Associate’s Degree program. On-the-job training is also available for this career as well.
Getting formal training is very important if you wish to be qualified for better job opportunities and become more competitive as well. While there are some who are working successfully with just an on-the-job training background, the pharmacy tech career is constantly evolving and becoming more competitive, and therefore you would want to stay ahead of the pack as much as you can by getting into a formal training program. The school and training program you enroll in must be one that has received accreditation such as those accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Pharmacy tech certification is also something that more employers are looking for in their applicants.
The salary for pharmacy techs is also something to look forward to. Based on the statistics provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for May of 2010, average annual earnings were $29,330, while average hourly earnings were $14.10. Your salary figures can go beyond those figures if you can manage to get a solid educational background and certification as a pharmacy technician. You can seek certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). As you gain precious work experience, your salary can also increase and it can also help you to be qualified for higher positions as well.
There are plenty of opportunities awaiting individuals who choose to pursue a pharmacy tech career. You can work in hospitals, clinics, wholesale and retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, government agencies, department stores, and in mail order pharmacies as well. How well you progress in this career will be determined by the quality of your credentials, especially your training, work experience, and certification. And as with any other careers, putting in a mix of hard work, perseverance, and dedication is also very important if you want to achieve the success you are yearning for.