If you’re considering a career in pharmacy, you might be wondering what pharmacy technicians do. In short, they help pharmacists dispense medication and provide customer service. Keep reading to learn more about the day-to-day duties of pharmacy techs, their educational requirements, and job outlook
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Job Description
pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health care facilities. They take prescription requests from patients and doctors, process insurance claims, prepare medications for dispensing, and provide customer service. They also may maintain pharmacy inventory, prepare reports for pharmacists, and perform other clerical duties. To be a pharmacy technician you will need a high school diploma or equivalent and a pharmacy technician certificate or license.
Duties
A pharmacy technician is a person who helps licensed pharmacists Fill prescriptions. They perform other tasks as well, such as checking the patient’s insurance to make sure it will cover the cost of the prescription, entering patient information into the computer, and answering any questions that the patient may have.
The duties of a pharmacy technician may change depending on the state in which they work. Some states allow technicians to administer vaccinations, while others do not. Some states allow them to take medical histories, while others do not.
In most cases, pharmacy technicians need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a pharmacy technician training program, but it is not always required. Many community colleges offer pharmacy technician programs that can be completed in about one year.
Education and Training
Pharmacy techs typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most states regulate pharmacy technicians. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program accredited by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Some employers also require certification, which can be achieved through professional organizations such as these:
NHA: Offers the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) credential
ASHP: Offers the Certified Registered Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential
State licensure may also be required in some cases. Once they have completed their education and training, pharmacy techs must keep up with continuing education requirements to maintain their registration or certification.
Salary and job outlook
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great way to enter the medical field without completing years of schooling. The average salary for pharmacy techs is $32,700 per year, and the job outlook is projected to grow by 7% from 2019-2029.
Salary
The salary for a pharmacy technician depends on many factors, such as the technician’s experience, the region where they work, and the type of employer.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $32,700 in 2018, with most techs earning between $25,560 and $41,660.
The BLS reports that pharmacy technicians employed in hospitals tend to earn the highest wages, followed by those working in grocery stores or other retail outlets. Techs who work for the federal government or in pharmaceutical manufacturers also tend to earn higher-than-average wages.
Job Outlook
Pharmacy technicians held about 456,000 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of pharmacy technicians were as follows:
-Hospitals; state, local, and private
-Grocery stores
-Pharmacies and drugstores
-Outpatient care centers
-Government
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those who have completed formal education programs in pharmacy technology and have certification.
