What will I do in this job?
If you want to be a Pharmacy Technician or Assistant, you will help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting and labeling. A pharmacist must check every prescription before it can be given to a patient. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technicians who work in retail pharmacies have varying responsibilities like:
- establishing and maintaining patient profiles
- preparing insurance claim forms
- stocking and taking inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications
- cleaning the pharmacy equipment
- helping with the maintenance of equipment and supplies
- managing the cash register
Technicians in hospitals also have responsibilities which include:
- preparing and delivering medications to patients
- assembling a 24-hour supply of medication for every patient
- packaging and labeling each dose separately
Pharmacy Assistants usually have fewer, less complex responsibilities like:
- answering telephones
- handling money
- stocking shelves
- performing other clerical duties
If you plan to be a Pharmacy Technician or Assistant you must be:
- alert
- observant
- organized
- dedicated
- responsible
- enjoy precise work
- work without constant instruction from the pharmacist
Will I need a special license?
No.
What type of education will I need?
Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. Formal pharmacy technician education programs require classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics.
Will I find a job?
Good job opportunities are expected for full-time and part-time work, especially for technicians with formal training or previous experience. Job openings for pharmacy technicians will result from the expansion of retail pharmacies and other employment settings, and from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012 due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population, and to the greater use of medication.
How much will I make?
Median Salary: $10.70 /hour (Ranges from $7.50- $16.00 /hour)
(2003-2004)
|
