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Become a Pharmacy Technician

Becoming a pharmacist technician positions you for success. Career opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to grow by more than 36 percent through 2012, according to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Request information from select pharmacy technician schools to learn more about pharmacy technician careers and career education today.

What opportunities are available to pharmacy techs...

• Demand for certified pharmacy technicians will be strong (roughly equal to supply) through 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Demand is rising due to the aging of the U.S. population, increased need for prescription drugs, and expansion of community pharmacies in new retail settings, such as mass merchandisers.
  
• Pharmacy technicians are needed in a variety of settings, including a variety of community pharmacies, hospitals, and managed care facilities. In short, pharmacy technician careers translate well to a wide variety of environments.
  
• Work as a pharmacy technician can prepare you for study as a full-time pharmacist. Cost-control measures in the health services field will provide pharmacy technicians opportunities for greater responsibility, advancement, and pay. br>
  

What does a Pharmacy Technician do on the job...

• Pharmacy technicians process prescription orders sent by mail, dropped off by patients, or sent electronically by physicians, entering new prescriptions into the pharmacy computer.
  
• Pharmacy technicians create and update patient profiles, including prescription, health, and insurance information.
  
• Pharmacy technicians assist the pharmacist in preparing and filling prescriptions for patients, including counting pills, labeling bottles, and compounding oral solutions, ointments, and creams.
  
• At the point of sale, pharmacy techs ensure that patients receive their appropriate prescriptions.
  
• Pharmacy technicians work directly with insurance carriers to obtain payment for patient prescriptions.
  
• Pharmacy technicians maintain the pharmacy inventory, making weekly orders. Prepare and file all necessary documentation.
  
• Pharmacy technicians supervise and train pharmacy aides and other pharmacy technicians in the daily operation of the pharmacy.
  
  

The benefits of a pharmacy technician career are numerous...

• Pharmacy technicians earn a competitive starting wage (as much as $15 per hour in some regions), relative to other health service support positions.
  
• Pharmacy technicians are often able to work flexible part-time schedules, so a pharmacy technician career works especially well for parents who want flexibility in their schedules to spend time with children.
  
• Pharmacy technicians work in clean, professional, well-lighted environments, and provide a respected health service.
  
• Senior pharmacy technicians often work in a supervisory role, providing them opportunity for greater responsibility and pay. So there is often at least some management involved in a pharmacy technician career.
  

Special considerations for pharmacy technicians...

• Pharmacy technicians spend workdays on their feet, serving patients. Some modest physical labor is required. A career as a pharmacy technician may prove strenuous for those not accustomed to, or not predisposed to, standing up for extended periods of time.
  
• Depending on the work setting and pharmacy hours, some pharmacy technicians are required to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  
• Pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse. Additionally, they must be detail-oriented to avoid errors, which could result in serious health consequences for patients. A pharmacy technician career is not a good fit for the absent-minded.

	Programs offered: Pharmacy Technician Degrees offered: Certificate
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