Pharmacy Technician Jobs

It seems that the older we get and the more scientifically sophisticated we become, the more medications we need. The job of a pharmacy technician is to fill all those prescriptions.

Duties of a pharmacy technician
Pharmacy technicians act as the right hand of a licensed pharmacist. Their main job is to help provide medication and other health care products to patients. To do this, pharmacy technicians must verify prescription information, prepare medications, prepare prescription labels and containers, and price and file prescriptions. They may also answer phones, stock shelves and take inventory, maintain patient profiles, and prepare insurance claim forms.

By law, pharmacy technicians must refer patients' health questions to a licensed pharmacist. And all prescriptions must be checked by a pharmacist before they are given to a patient.

Where to find pharmacy technician jobs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2006, about 71 percent of pharmacy technician jobs were in retail pharmacies, either independently owned or part of a department store, drugstore chain, grocery store, or mass retailer. About 18 percent of pharmacy technician jobs were in hospitals, and the rest were in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, doctor's offices, the federal government, and pharmaceutical wholesalers.

Pharmacy technician programs
There are currently no federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians, but employers do favor applicants who have completed formal training along with certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. Formal pharmacy technician programs may be found in community colleges, some hospitals, the military, proprietary schools, and vocational and technical colleges.

Formal pharmacy technician programs lead to a diploma, certificate, or associate degree. Practical and theoretical courses include medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmaceutical techniques, pharmacy law and ethics, and pharmacy record keeping. Pharmacy technicians are also required to memorize medication names, actions, doses, and uses. The best pharmacy technician programs include internships to provide hands-on experience in a real work environment.

Demand for pharmacy technician jobs
Pharmacy technician jobs are expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, reports the BLS. Job opportunities are expected to be good, especially for those with certification, formal training, or previous experience. Median hourly earnings of pharmacy technicians in May 2007 were $12.85.

If you're interesting in providing a vital health care service to the public, learn more about becoming a pharmacy technician.

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