Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists supply medicines and other health care products to patients. They usually do routine tasks like preparing prescribed medication, counting tablets and labeling bottles. They also perform administrative duties like answering phones, stocking shelves and operating cash registers. Pharmacy technicians obtain written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills from patients, verify that the information is complete and accurate and then retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure or mix the medication. Lastly, they may have to price and file the prescription, which is first checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient.
Pharmacy Technicians Schools and Degrees
Pharmacy technician programs last one to two years. Two-year programs grant an associate’s degree and one-year programs grant a certificate. Some candidates complete a formal training program where they are taught medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record keeping and medication background. There are many hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, colleges and universities and community colleges that offer formal education programs. Experience managing inventories, counting tablets, measuring dosages and using computers is useful, along with a background in chemistry, English and health education.
Job Requirements
Employers usually prefer pharmacy technicians with formal training and certification. Many training programs include internships where students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies Pharmacy technicians should have strong customer service skills and teamwork skills because pharmacy technicians interact with patients, co-workers and health care professionals.
Nature of Work
Pharmacy technicians work in clean, organized, well-lighted and well-ventilated areas. They spend most of their day standing on feet. They might have to lift heavy boxes or use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Their working hours may vary. Technicians also fill out insurance claim forms. In addition, they take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and enter this information into the computer so it can be reviewed while ordering supplies. Some technicians clean and maintain pharmacy equipment. In hospitals, they read patient charts, prepare and deliver the medicine to patients and copy the information into the patient's profile. Technicians may also put together a 24-hour supply of medicine for patients, package and label each dose separately and also make up intravenous (IV) packs for patients.
Pharmacy Technicians Jobs and Outlook
According to research from 2006, pharmacy technicians held about 285,000 jobs in the U.S. That number is expected to grow by 32% over the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:
Department Stores
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Grocery Stores
Health and Personal Care Stores
Other General Merchandise Stores
The mean hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in the US is about $13.25, while the mean annual wages are around $27,560.
Job Numbers and Growth
The official count of pharmacist techs in 2008 was 285,000. Workers have recently faced a very low level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 2% recently.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of employees in Gadsden (Alabama), Madera (California), and Kokomo (Indiana), and comparatively fewer in Framingham (Massachusetts), Oxnard (California), and Portsmouth (New Hampshire).
Wages for Pharmacist techs are highest in San Francisco (California), San Jose (California), and Oakland (California), and lowest in Rocky Mount (North Carolina), Weirton (West Virginia), and Owensboro (Kentucky).
Training and Education
Workers normally have moderate-term on-the-job training before landing a job. Degrees are held by 16% of current employees. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 57% of pharmacist techs. Education topped out at high school for 27% of workers. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Part-time work suffices for 21% of pharmacist techs.
Pharmacist Techs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.