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Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician? This growing career field allows you to have ample opportunity to assist in pharmacy operations while ensuring patients and customers receive the medications they need. To understand this career path more thoroughly, including why it may be right for you, we have outlined key facts you need to know to get started.
1. What does a pharmacy technician do?
The role of a pharmacy technician can vary widely depending on the organization you work for and the state you work in, but your primary role will be to support licensed pharmacists. Some of the more common responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include answering patient questions in person and via phone, contacting physicians for refill permissions, taking inventory and categorizing medications, entering data into computer systems, measuring, mixing, and preparing medications under the supervision of a pharmacist, reviewing prescriptions for accuracy, and packaging drugs and medical supplies.
2. What kind of salary do pharmacy technicians earn?
Pharmacy technicians earn an annual median salary of $31,750 in the United States, according to the Pharmacy Report1, but this salary will vary depending on where you are located in the United States. In fact, the top 10 percent of pharmacy technicians earn nearly $47,000 per year.
3. Are there jobs for pharmacy technicians?
Yes! The job growth for pharmacy technicians is expected to be good. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs are expected to grow by four percent through 2029. This equates to over 15,000 new jobs nationwide! A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association and re-published by The Washington Post2 stated that prescription drug usage is on the rise. It has increased eight percent in just 12 years, and nearly 60 percent of Americans age 20 and older now take some type of prescription drug. During that same 12-year period, the percentage of people who are taking five or more prescription medications nearly doubled—all lending to increased demand for pharmacy professionals like pharmacy technicians.
4. Where do pharmacy technicians work?
Most pharmacy technicians will go to work for retail pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens; however, many other types of organizations employ pharmacy technicians. For example, you could work in a hospital or nursing home but may require some additional specialized medical knowledge that will likely be provided on the job. You could also work for a mail-order prescription service where you pack and ship medications to patients.
5. What education do I need to become a pharmacy technician?
To become a pharmacy technician, you will need to complete a Pharmacy Technician training course either online or in a classroom setting. Many states also require Pharmacy Technicians to be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) after passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. It’s important to know the specific requirements in your state before beginning a program. You also may be able to gain valuable experience through real-world situations with a pharmacy externship before beginning your official career.
6. How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
Our Pharmacy Technician career training course can be completed entirely online in just 12 months or less. In addition, you will complete a 100-hour externship, if you qualify, and prepare to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
7. What other jobs can a pharmacy technician do?
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great lifelong career, but it can also open the door to a lot of other opportunities. You can climb the ladder within your organization and may even find yourself supervising pharmacy assistants or other pharmacy technicians. After gaining some experience as a pharmacy technician, you may decide that you want to go back to school to become a pharmacist. Your experience will also prove valuable for a career in pharmaceutical sales. Or, this could be the beginning of a career in another healthcare field, after some additional training, such as a medical assistant or patient care technician. There really is no limit to what you can achieve.
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