12 Facts to Know About Pharmacy Technicians

 

Did you know there are more than 305,510 pharmacists in the US? The number of pharmacists continues to grow steadily. If you have the interest to become a pharmacy technician, you’re not alone.

Pharmacy technicians ensure quality and suitable medicines supply within the law. Once in a while, you’ll find yourself in need of a pharmacy technician. Has the thought of being a pharmacy technician crossed your mind?

If so, you need to ascertain it’s a correct decision. You don’t want to regret the job after years of dedication in the profession.

This article summarizes 12 facts about pharmacy technicians.

1. Working Hours

The working hours for pharmacy technicians are irregular but flexible. The profession may need you to work either day or night shifts.

If a pharmacy opens 24 hours a day, the schedule may range from morning, midday shifts to weekends. Depending on your employer’s agreement, the work schedules vary for different technicians.

As you advance in the profession, the work schedules become autonomous.

Thanks to telecommuting and digital transformation, you can also work from home. This allows you to choose working hours that align your schedule. It also creates flexibility in routines, work environment, and dress code.

2. Salaries and Income 

Everyone wants a profession that will fund their needs. When projecting your expense budget and future lifestyle, income is an essential factor to consider.

You must be wondering how much you pocket with the technician profession.

Pharmacy technicians average income rates per year are $32,700 and $ 15.72 per hour. The wage rates changes with the work set-up, experience, expertise.

Increase your skills and professional knowledge to earn an income that’s higher than $15.72 per hour.

Higher pharmacy technicians earn more than average. Such ranks are mainly viable in ambulatory healthcare services and hospitals.

3. Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

What does a pharmacy technician do? Is a technician the same as a pharmacist or drugs administrator?

These are the questions every candidate evaluating the profession asks.

• A pharmacy technician works in liaison with pharmacists and clients.
• They offer pharmaceutical services to clients and relay patients’ needs to the pharmacists.
• Maintain inventory, compound medicines, and stock machines.
• Packaging and labeling prescriptions
• Measuring proper amounts and dosages of medicine.

The responsibilities vary depending on the work setting.

Note: Pharmacists technicians working in medical and surgical hospitals have additional responsibilities like sterile compounding.

4. Education Requirements

Pharmacy technician is a reputable and respected profession. Not anyone can assume the role of pharmacy technicians.

What are the must-have elements to qualify for the profession?

• Acquire a high school diploma
• Pass in criminal background assessment
• Completion of formal education or pharmacy technician training program
• Continuing education hours
• A pass in the certification exam.

5. License Requirements

In some states, to become a pharmacy technician, you need certification. Wondering how to acquire the accreditation?

Pharmacy Technician Program

A variety of pharmacy technician programs can get you there. You need to decide whether to pursue a degree or certificate program? The decision is conflicting if you don’t understand the value of each program.

So, when do you choose a program?

If you’re considering to change your career or transition to a new field, the certification program is suitable. The program takes you one year.

If a pharmacy is your passion and you desire a full-time profession, go for the degree. The program offers you a basis to build your profession. It’ll take you two years.

Are pharmacy technician classes worth it? The answer is yes.

It accords your accreditation, externship, and certification.

Internship and Minimum Working Hours

You’ll need to prove yourself by working as a pharmacy technician through internships. The certification board analyzes the minimum number of working hours as a pharmacy technician.

The objective is to prove your ability to deliver.

Certification Exam

Successful completion of a pharmacy technician program qualifies you for the certification program. You can now apply for the exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

If you pass the exam, the certification will follow.

Why is the certification so important?

• Builds respect for the profession
• Qualifies you for potential employment opportunities
• Commands for higher income
• Develops an understanding of medical terms and pharmacy law
• Career potential growth.

6. Professional Technician Skills

Besides professional education, a pharmacy technician needs some skills to perform optimally. The necessary skills to target are:

Communication Skills: The technicians need to interact with clients, coworkers, and pharmacists regularly. Working in a health unit requires adequate communication skills. Failure to communicate medication issues correctly can cause a health crisis.

Active listening is an integral part of practical communication skills.

Attention to Details: If you’re working at a pharmacy store, you’ll provide critical medication to patients. It means your actions define the quality of life of your clients. You can’t afford to make mistakes; you’ll be gambling with the patient’s life.

• Math skills and clerical skills: The skills ensure accurate administration of dosages and medication.
• Customer service skills
• Critical thinking skills

Soft skills are essential to boost your job satisfaction and avoid conflict at work.

7. Work Environment

What’s your primary picture for a pharmacy technician? At the mention of a pharmacy technician, the idea that comes to mind is working in a retail store. If that’s the case, you haven’t explored all the potential options.

Pharmacy technicians have the option to work in different fields. The potential areas to look for work include:

• Hospitals
• Chain drugstores
• Wholesale druggists
• Independent drugstores
• Mail order pharmacies

Depending on the work environment, the responsibilities may vary. For instance, hospital-based pharmacy technicians’ deal with IV medication and laboratory preparation.

The variety of working settings suits people with different personalities. If you’re sociable and outgoing, a work setting with extensive client interaction like retail pharmacy suits you best.

Don’t restrain your mind to the retail pharmacy stores. As the demand for technicians arises and technology change, new work settings are yet to come.

8. Job Demand

In the world, more than 174.1 million people are unemployed. It’s annoying to spend years in college, have the skills, and still lack the job. You don’t want unemployment frustrations.

Pharmacy technician profession is an exemption to the liability. You must be wondering how?

The demand for pharmaceutical services is on the rise. High demand for healthy living influences the trend. Bureau labor of statistics confirms that pharmacy technician demand will increase by 12% by 2026.

The profession has a high level of job security which many jobs miss. You want that, don’t you? Investing time and passion in the pharmacy technician profession is a sure bet.

10. Facts About Pharmacy Technicians Job Satisfaction

Everyone wants a job they’re enthusiastic about, right? Job satisfaction boosts your daily zeal and motivation.

85% of people hate their jobs. You don’t want to be among them.

Pharmacy technician job accords your job satisfaction. The ability to help others and improve their quality of life is fulfilling. It’s exciting and rejuvenating to be of value addition to others.

Working in a pharmacy or health-related environment is an opportunity to give back to society.

10. Advancement Opportunities

Being a pharmacy technician isn’t the end of your professional journey. The position opens up to higher professional opportunities in the ladder.

You can expand the profession into managerial or instructional roles.

Note: Extra schooling can get you to fully-fledged pharmacists, and a nurse among other health physician job tags.

It’s in human nature to want more. Pharmacy technician profession helps satiate the need through advancement opportunities.

11. Pharmacy Technician vs. Pharmacists Facts

Before beginning the professional journal, leverage your mind from the biggest misconception. Pharmacy technicians are not pharmacists.

A pharmacist oversees pharmacy operations and ensures medication and premises are top quality. The pharmacy technician does almost similar tasks to the pharmacist, but their responsibility level is different.

The compensation, work environment, and responsibilities differ. Learn more about the difference to avoid confusion.

12. Valuable Experience

Being a pharmacy technician not only benefits you professionally but improves your health and that of your family too. Knowledge about pharmacology leads to a better understanding of quality health.

It accords you knowledge on appropriate medication for various ailments. You’re in a better position to make correct decisions about your medication.

It’s not strange that some patients get wrong medication which risks their health or cause death. Becoming a pharmacy technician exonerates you from such risks.

Bottom Line 

If you’re considering a pharmacy technician profession, understand all the facts about the career. You don’t want to regret the decision in the future for misinformation.

The facts about pharmacy technicians are incentives that lure many into the profession. The job operates in a growing industry, high job satisfaction, good income, and has advancement opportunities.

Never feel in a rush to make professional decisions. It’s a lifetime decision that will determine your future and happiness.

Take time to learn more about pharmacy technicians to analyze if it aligns with your interests. Bookmark our blog for regular career and lifestyle tips.