When thinking of careers in healthcare, most think of doctors and nurses. But you may forget that so much of our modern medicine lies in pharmaceuticals. And when you drop off a prescription for your medication, you rely on those with a pharmacy tech education to give you what you need – accurately and quickly.

Pharmacy technicians are the direct connection to your medication. While they are not pharmacists, they are responsible for getting the correct order to you. They take your prescription, verify the information and prepare your order. While sometimes this is as simple as counting pills in the correct dosage size, often times the pharmacy technician must measure, mix, and weigh your medicine. Even labeling pill bottles calls for extreme care, as the dosage amount and times of day are key to a client's health. Clearly the position of pharmacy technician calls for someone who is accurate, who takes their time and double checks their work. It also calls for a person with good math and science skills, both of which is an essential part of pharmacy tech education.

Don't forget, since the pharmacy tech is also often the person who deals with a customer, they must have excellent people skills and have the desire to help others. They often also perform other administrative and sales duties, such as answering the phone and ringing up the order. Pharmacy technicians must truly work well with others, both clients and coworkers, in order to be successful in their careers.

Pharmacy Tech Education Prescribes Lots of Career Paths
While most pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, some work in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes. These technicians may also be responsible for reading charts or taking directions from doctors. They may have the task of interacting with patients, counting out and delivering the correct dosages, or put together packages of daily medicines for patients.

Pharmacists work closely with pharmacy techs in all settings. Pharmacists check orders for accuracy, and are called upon by the technicians if a patient or client needs information about their particular medication. Pharmacy technicians may decide that they want to take the next step and get a degree in pharmaceuticals. And the technician's job is a perfect way to explore that option.

The field is a growing one. Pharmacy technicians are more needed now than in the past, and will continue to be in the years to come, due to the growing age of the population today. Middle aged and elderly people are more apt to need medication, and there are more people in those age groups than ever before. The job prospects for the coming years are good, and on the rise, as are pharmacy tech training opportunities.

While some pharmacists will hire someone to train on the job, most would prefer a candidate for pharmaceutical technician with formal pharmacy tech education and/or certification. So where would one find pharmacy technician training?

Get Started With Pharmacy Tech Training
There are programs for pharmaceutical technicians all over the country. Most require laboratory work to be done, as well as internships in actual pharmacies. There is also quite a bit to be learned about pharmaceutical law, record keeping, and techniques. And of course, pharmaceutical technicians have to learn about medications, their uses, and the correct dosage amounts usually prescribed.

Depending on the program attended, you may obtain a certificate or associate degree. These degrees give you a leg-up on any other prospective employees without formal pharmacy technician training. It also helps to have done an internship or a stint as a volunteer in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

Though not required in most states, certification as a pharmacy technician will raise your employment prospects, as employers will know that you must have obtained a certain amount of knowledge and skills. Certification is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. In order to retain your status, you must be recertified every two years, and that requires twenty hours of continuing education over those two years. This ensures that certified pharmacy technicians have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Providing others with accurate medication is essential to our overall well-being. So research pharmacy technician schools and help keep America healthy.