About Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians provide such a valuable service in the health care industry that most pharmacies simply could not make it without them. In an ever-growing field, the need for pharmacy technicians increases on a daily basis.

The Facts

• Pharmacy technicians generally work in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies or doctor's offices. With pharmacists becoming more involved with direct patient care, the need for pharmacy technicians to step in and help is immense. Some sources report that there are over 39,000 new pharmacy tech job openings per year.
  Pharmacy technicians work alongside pharmacists and have many different responsibilities in their job setting. Job requirements include measuring and labeling medications, counting pills, working with patient records and taking insurance information. Pharmacy technicians are required to do a good bit of work with computers, so computer and typing skills are necessary.

Benefits

• There are many benefits associated with working as a pharmacy technician. Health benefits are offered with most pharmacy tech jobs, including health insurance and price breaks on prescriptions. Some jobs offer shift work, which is appealing to many people looking for longer hours with more days off. Retirement plans are often offered, as are opportunities for promotion.
  Another benefit associated with becoming a pharmacy technician is that it does not require a 4-year college degree. Most pharmacy tech programs can be finished in under 12 months, making this profession appealing due to its short certification time. After taking a pharmacy technician course, a certification exam is required.

Type

• Pharmacy technicians can choose to work in a variety of fields and settings, including hospitals, franchises, government agencies, universities and private practices. A recent pay-scale study shows that a pharmacy technician working in a hospital setting makes $2 to $3 more per hour than a tech working for a franchise. Technicians who specialize in computer operations make more than those who specialize in other areas. Nuclear pharmacy technicians tend to make more money than regular pharmacy techs but require much more specialized training.

History of

• Pharmacy technicians have been in demand at pharmacies over the last 20 years. Since pharmacists are becoming more regulated by state and government agencies, they often have to spend more time doing paperwork and less time dispensing medication. By the year 2010, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to rise over 36 percent. As our society ages and more of the population becomes dependent on medication, pharmacy techs will become more in demand. They are valuable in helping keep the pharmacy running while the pharmacist deals with other matters.

Risk Factors

• If you are becoming a pharmacy technician, there are a few things to watch out for. When you begin a job, ask specifically if shift and on-call work will be required. Some pharmacies require techs to work on call during the weekends, limiting the time that they can spend with their families. Be prepared, also, to be on your feet all day at work. Though most employers provide carpets to stand on, standing for 8 hours a day can cause back and neck problems.