WHAT DOES a PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN JOBS: IN-DEPTH Most technicians are certified — the Certified Pharmacy Technician CPhT is earned by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam PTCE — and have

WHAT DOES A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO?

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN JOBS: THE BASICS

Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a licensed pharmacist to dispense medication and provide information to customers Pharmacy technicians typically work behind a pharmacy counter at

a drugstore, grocery store, hospital, nursing home or other medical facility This position involves working with pharmacists, patients and occasionally with pharmaceutical reps

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN JOBS: IN-DEPTH

Most technicians are certified — the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is earned by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) — and have completed several hundred hours of on-the-job training in order to be able to work with different prescription drugs, understand pharmacy operations and protocol, and abide by ethical standards Basic job duties include dosing medications and filling prescription orders, taking care of administrative tasks, and handling basic customer service duties at the counter Some pharmacy techs lead a team of pharmacy staff members as a lead

pharmacy technician Others may be responsible for managing supply and inventory or providing pertinent information to other healthcare professionals

PHARMACY TECH EARNINGS AND JOB OUTLOOK

Pharmacy Technician Salaries

Becoming a pharmacy technician can be a gateway to a career as a pharmacist, nursing assistant or other medical professional Demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to remain high for the next decade, making this career path potentially rewarding for those who wish to work in a pharmacy setting

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in 2014 was $29,810, although this varies by state Pharmacy technicians in Washington, Alaska, California, Hawaii and Oregon are the highest earners, on average The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the highest-paying positions are available with federal, state and local government agencies, outpatient care centers, and scientific research and development organizations Pharmacy techs that work in department stores and health and personal care stores typically make lower annual wages

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Pharmacy Technician and Related Job Salaries

• Select a state:

• Select City 1:

alaska

ANCHORAGE

• Select City 2:

•

•

10th Perc…50th Perc…90th Perc…AnchorageFairbanks$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000

City

10th

Percentil

e

50th Percentil e

90th Percentil e

Anchorag

Fairbanks $28,100 $38,380 $48,670

ANCHORAGE 2012 MEAN PAY$39,970 per year$19.22 per hour

FAIRBANKS 2012 MEAN PAY$38,880 per year$18.69 per hour

Pharmacy Technician Job Projections

Job growth for pharmacy technicians is expected to be roughly 20 percent from 2012 through 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Demand for experienced and skilled pharmacy technicians is expected to stay strong as consumers live longer and increasingly turn to pharmacists for prescription medication to manage chronic diseases and take care of aging-related health issues

The following states are projected to expand their pharmacy tech job openings the most by 2022:

• 1

32%Idaho

• 2

30%Utah

• 3

30%Colorado

• 4

FAIRBANKS

• 5

26%Tennessee

• 6

25%Georgia

• 7

24%Florida

• 8

23%North Carolina

• 9

22%Arizona

• 10

22%Kentucky

• Select a state:

• Employed Pharmacy Technicians

Employed Pharmacy Technicians6,0006,6007,2007,8008,400202020108,2606,560 Year Jobs

2020 8,260

2010 6,560

2.33%Average Annual Job Growth285Annual Job Openings

Alabama

STEPS TO BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

1

COMPLETE A POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM (OPTIONAL)

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the accrediting body for pharmacy

technician programs ASHP-certified programs are available at many community colleges and

vocational schools Most certificate programs can be completed within a year or less, while associate degree programs typically take two years to complete Coursework covers technical and practical

training in the following areas:

• Pharmacy law

• Pharmacology

• Pharmacy ethics

• Anatomy

• Healthcare systems

• Physiology

• Medical terminology

• Pharmaceutical calculations

Penn Foster

Unitek College

Milan Institute

2

COMPLETE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

Most programs allow students to gain clinical experience during their training Depending on state

laws, students may also choose to gain on-the-job training without enrolling in a postsecondary

education program Clinical experience may take the form of a structured training program at a retail

drugstore that has partnered with the school Another option is to complete hands-on training at an approved pharmacy or medical center

3

BECOME CERTIFIED

Some states require pharmacy technicians to become certified Even in states where certification is not required, most employers will only hire pharmacy techs who are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The PTCB requires applicants to pass an exam, while the NHA requires students to complete a training program or have at least one year of experience working as a technician Both organizations require applicants to have a high school diploma

4

BECOME SPECIALIZED

Some pharmacy technicians choose to work exclusively for a retail drugstore chain and will complete specialized training to serve as a general pharmacy technician, community pharmacy technician or central pharmacy operations technician, or in a similar role

5

MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION

Pharmacy techs need to pass a recertification exam every two years They need to complete at least 20 hours of continuing education before sitting for the recertification exam

TYPES OF PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS

Diploma and Certificate Programs

A pharmacy technician diploma or certificate program can be completed in one year or less and provides the basic education and training needed to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician exam These programs introduce students to basic concepts in pharmaceutical technology, record keeping, pharmacy law and ethics, and pharmacology They typically include a combination of classroom learning and lab training so that students learn how to dispense medication, prepare sterile products, and manage prescription orders

Graduates of a one-year program can apply for entry-level positions at drugstores, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, or with mail-order pharmacy companies Pharmacy tech

certification programs typically require students to complete an externship at an approved

pharmaceutical facility, hospital or retail pharmacy

Examples of courses available in pharmacy technician diploma and certificate programs include: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACY

This course introduces students to pharmacy practices and terminology

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Pharmacy and medical terms

• Basic pharmacy operations

DOSAGE FORMS AND ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION

Students gain an understanding of how medications interact in the body after administration and how

to use basic mathematic principles for dosing

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Administration of medication

• Basic measurement systems and best practices

• Mathematical techniques and methodologies used in pharmacies

SCIENCE OF PHARMACOLOGY

This class covers the process by which drugs are approved for general use, as well as drug

administration issues for patients

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Drug approval process

• Drug administration processes for individual patients

HOSPITAL PHARMACY PRACTICE

This course details basic pharmacy operations in a hospital setting

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Hospital pharmacy operations

• Basic guidelines for working in a hospital setting

• Role of the pharmacy technician in a hospital setting

PHARMACY ETHICS

Students are introduced to the laws and ethics governing pharmacy practice

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Modern laws governing pharmacy and pharmacology practices in the United States

• Ethical considerations for different customer situations

• Pharmacy technician codes of conduct

Associate Degrees

Students interested in a more comprehensive educational experience can enroll in a pharmacy

technician associate degree program Although a degree is not required to apply for entry-level positions, some students choose to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree so they can advance

in their careers and apply for jobs as a compounding lab technician, pharmacy service technician, pharmacy implementation specialist or similar roles Earning an associate degree can also help a student prepare for a Bachelor of Pharmacy or a bachelor’s degree in a related field

The comprehensive two-year program covers topics in pharmacy operations, pharmacology and advanced administration, and may include an externship component Students take a series of general courses in mathematics, science, psychology, humanities, and English, in addition to pharmacy- and medical-specific courses to fulfill degree requirements Graduates of this program can process

medication orders, have extensive knowledge about pharmacy law as it applies to filling prescriptions, and demonstrate fundamental knowledge of medical terminology

Examples of courses offered through a pharmacy technician associate degree program include:

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE WORKPLACE

Students learn effective interpersonal communication skills for working with customers in a medical environment

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Strong communication skills to communicate effectively with pharmacists and customers

• Customer service skills

• Non-verbal communication

PHARMACY CALCULATIONS

This course covers mathematical equations and best practices for managing calculations in a pharmacy Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Fundamental mathematical concepts

• Applied mathematics

• Best practices for using mathematical formulas to solve problems

PHARMACOLOGY I

Key principals of drug interactions and the human body are studied, along with the drug types and their effect on the nervous system This course typically covers basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Human anatomy and physiology of the nervous system

• Drugs for the treatment of nervous system disorders

OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

This is a review of nonprescription drugs for common disorders and best practices for managing customer questions about self-treatment

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Advanced knowledge of nonprescription drugs and medications

• Customer service skills

• Pharmaceutical ethics

PHARMACY LAW

This course details federal and state laws governing the practice of pharmacies and rules regulating pharmacy technicians’ activities

Skills & Knowledge Gained

• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant state and federal laws related to pharmacies

• Ethical considerations and legal issues pertaining to pharmacy technicians

Even after completing an associate degree, graduates will have to stay current with changes occurring

in the industry or with particular pharmaceutical companies, since new drugs and generic brands are always entering the market Additionally, they should have cultivated the following skills:

Attention to detail

Pharmacy technicians’ primary responsibility is dispensing prescription medication, which requires great attention to detail Pharmacy techs must be able to measure, mix, dose and dispense appropriate amounts of medication based on the pharmacist’s orders They may also be involved with data entry tasks to update patient records and fill prescription orders

Pharmaceutical literacy

Sometimes, pharmacy technicians will need to read and interpret pharmaceutical literature and prescription information They need to be knowledgeable about pharmaceutical and medical terms and, in some cases, translate information for the customer’s benefit

Outstanding customer service

Even though it is not pharmacy technicians’ responsibility to provide medical advice, they will be

responsible for interacting with customers when dispensing medication They must have basic

customer service skills to ensure they are providing customers with the correct prescriptions, contact

customers to advise them that the prescription is ready and follow up with any inquiries customers

may have about their order

Organization

Pharmacy technicians can work in a variety of settings Some settings, such as retail drugstores and

grocery store pharmacies, may be busier than others on a daily basis Pharmacy technicians, therefore,

must be able to handle different types of customers, work with great precision under pressure and

keep everything organized behind the counter

SEARCH PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS

Accredited pharmacy technician certification and degree programs are available at many colleges

across the country Use the search tool below to explore programs by state and degree level

• School:

• State:

• Degree Level:

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Total Results:875

Academy of Careers and Technology Beckley, WV Award (<1 year) Pharmacy

Technician/Assistant

SCHOOL NAME CITY, STATE DEGREE LEVEL SUBJECT

Acadiana Technical College-Lafayette Campus Lafayette, LA Award (<2 years) Pharmacy

Technician/Assistant

Technician/Assistant

Technician/Assistant

Technician/Assistant

All State Career-Baltimore Baltimore, MD Award (<1 year) Pharmacy

Technician/Assistant

Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland,

Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

Technician/Assistant

Allen County Community College Iola, KS Award (<2 years) Pharmacy

Technician/Assistant

Allen County Community College Iola, KS Award (<1 year) Pharmacy

Technician/Assistant Previous12345…88Next

What To Look For In Online Pharmacy Technician Programs

Even though pharmacy tech certification and degree programs require hands-on training, some

general coursework can be completed online Many accredited schools offer online pharmacy tech

programs that make it easier for a student taking care of a family or working a full-time job to

complete their education Here are some things to look for when exploring online pharmacy technician

schools:

ACCREDITATION

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Commission on Credentialing

(COC) accredit pharmacy technician training programs in the United States Enrolling in an accredited

program ensures the program maintains a high standard of quality and complies with the accrediting

institution’s requirements

HANDS-ON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Since most certification and degree programs for pharmacy technicians require hands-on training through an externship or similar training, it’s important to determine what types of partnerships the school has secured for externships Some schools offer externship placement as a courtesy to students, while others require students to seek out and apply for training on their own In either situation, students are typically responsible for organizing their own transportation to the pharmacy, lab or other approved facility to complete this component of the program

CERTIFICATION PREPARATION

Certification is not required in some states, but most employers prefer pharmacy techs to be certified

An online pharmacy tech certification program needs to provide comprehensive training to prepare a student to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam Those interested in National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification must have at least one year of work experience, which can be acquired through an externship program offered by the school

COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER

AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

What Skills Are Required?

Pharmacy techs must have strong attention to detail, as the majority of their daily tasks involve measuring, dosing and dispensing prescription medication according to very specific orders They must also have good written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with the

pharmacists they work with, patients, and medical professionals or medical representatives they come into contact with

Pharmacy technicians must take the lead in educating themselves on drug information and any major changes occurring in the industry They may be required to read about drug studies, review

pharmaceutical literature or produce reports about different prescription medications and dispensing activities Since many work in busy retail drugstores or emergency rooms, they must also have strong organizational skills and be able to work in a fast-paced environment without making mistakes