5 Things You Need to Know before Becoming a Pharmacy Technician

If you are considering a career as a Pharmacy Technician or are wondering what it is like to be one, this article provides answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions about this fast-growing field.

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

Though it may sound complicated, a pharmacy technician or pharmacy tech is a health provider working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to dispense prescription medication to customers in a pharmacy. It’s that simple. As a pharmacy tech, you would help run the pharmacy and track medical prescriptions.

What does a Pharmacy Tech do?

The responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician include dispensing prescription drugs, instructing their use and demonstrating the use of medical devices to patients. In some settings, you may also have administrative duties such are taking prescription requests over the phone or in person, reviewing prescription requests, ensuring the proper medications are provided and payment is received from customers and/or insurance companies.

Where does a Pharmacy Technician Work?

Pharmacy technicians have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings. Some of these include but are not limited to pharmacies located in hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores, even some general merchandise and department stores. Most work full time, but there are some part-time opportunities out there also.

Salary range? National Average?

Pharmacy Technician salaries in the United States range from $20,730 on the low end up to $43,900 on the high end. For salary information specific to your city or state, check out the Salary Finder at CareerOneStop.org.

Predicted Job Growth Outcome?

With an average of over 10,000 projected annual job openings in the US from now until the year 2022, this career shows a great outlook. In the past 2 years, this field has grown by over 34,000 jobs.

How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?

Our MYCAA-approved Pharmacy Tech program lasts six months during which you will take four courses to build towards your certification. You will start with the Professionalism in Allied Health course. The goal of this course is to help you become familiar with customer service in a healthcare environment and dealing with the many personalities you may encounter in this field.

The next course teaches you the medical language required in Human Anatomy, Physiology, and other Medical Terminology. This course will provide a better understanding of the body, medications, and medical records.

In the final course, Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practices, you will be trained in medication order processing, inventories, and much more. Upon completion, you will have a greater understanding and knowledge of drug regulation, control, and different terminology.

After completing the Pharmacy Technician certification program, we will set you up with an externship with Walgreens, CVS, or at your local pharmacy. After the externship, many of our students do so well at their externship that they go on to pass the national certification exam and are hired on permanently by the pharmacy!

In a nutshell...

Pharmacy Tech is a fast-growing program with good starting pay. Pursuing a career in this field provides many opportunities, including being able to work part-time or full-time.