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Pharmacy technicians play an important role in the healthcare industry. They work closely with pharmacists to dispense prescription medications. While most pharmacy technicians have a high school diploma some states require certification.
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What is a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician is a member of the health care team who works closely with pharmacists and other health care professionals to provide medications and other health care products to patients. Pharmacy technicians typically have an associate degree or certificate from a community college or vocational school, although some jobs may only require a high school diploma
What are the duties of a pharmacy technician?
The duties of a pharmacy technician include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Receiving and processing prescriptions from patients and doctors
-Entering patient data into the pharmacy computer system
-Preparing and dispense medications
-Maintaining inventory levels
-Answering phones and responding to customer inquiries
-Assisting the pharmacist in various tasks as needed
What are the educational requirements to become a pharmacy technician?
In order to become a pharmacy technician, you will need to complete a formal education program. These programs are typically offered at the vocational, technical, or community college level. Some programs may be completed in as little as six months, while others may take up to two years. Upon completion of a formal education program, you will then need to pass a national certification exam in order to become licensed.
What are the certification requirements to become a pharmacy technician?
There are no formal education requirements to become a pharmacy technician, but most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a pharmacy technician training program and obtained certification. Pharmacy technicians who are certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA) must complete a brief recertification process every two years to maintain their credential.
What are the job outlook and salary prospects for pharmacy technicians?
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The need for trained and experienced pharmacy technicians is expected to grow as the demand for prescription drugs continues to increase.
As of May 2019, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $33,950. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,100.
