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Pharmacy Schools: Why You Should Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Schools:
Why You Should Become a Pharmacy Technician
Are you learning more about pharmacy schools, and wondering if you should pursue a career as a pharmacy technician? If so, read this article and discover why training for this skilled healthcare profession might just be the perfect idea.
Job Prospects
As with many other healthcare occupations, pharmacy technician job prospects are expected to expand rapidly, with an estimated growth rate of 31 percent from 2008 through to 2018.* This rapid growth can be attributed to a few factors:
- Increasing numbers of elderly patients who are using prescription drugs
- Scientific advancements leading to the production of new drugs
- More people obtaining prescription drug coverage
Interesting Work
Being a pharmacy technician requires a unique combination of people skills and technical abilities; this mixture adds up to a job where no two days are alike.
A large part of your day will involve dealing with a variety of people, from patients to doctors, and of course, the pharmacist. One moment you might find yourself helping a customer locate a specific item on the shelf, and the next you could be calling a doctor's office to confirm a prescription. You will also act as the main communication link between the patient and the pharmacist, relaying important advice regarding drug information and health issues.
The technical side of your skill equation will see you measuring and mixing medications, counting pills, labeling bottles, and filling prescriptions. Some pharmacy technicians also price and file the prescription, maintain patient profiles, and prepare insurance claim forms.
Plus, more and more frequently, the pharmacy technician role is being expanded to include what was previously considered to be the duties of a pharmacy aide. For example, you might be expected to answer phones, stock shelves, and operate the cash register.
Finally, if you work in a hospital or long-term care facility (as opposed to a retail pharmacy), it is likely that you will also prepare sterile solutions and deliver medications to doctors and nurses.
Opportunity to Contribute to Patient Care
As a pharmacy technician, one of your main responsibilities will be to prepare prescription medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Prescription drugs are used to manage and treat a diverse range of conditions, including bacterial infections, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and more.
Can you imagine the sense of fulfillment in handing an antibiotic to the grateful mother of a child suffering from an ear infection? Or, helping a person living with diabetes to better manage their disease? As a pharmacy technician, you can directly affect the quality of people's lives. For many healthcare workers, this ability to make a difference in somebody's life provides them with deep job satisfaction, and makes for a fulfilling career.
Now that you know why becoming a pharmacy technician is a great career choice, are you ready to get started? If so, your first stop is to get a great education, and one of the best places to find it is in this guide to pharmacy schools. Browse the guide and begin your journey toward a rewarding new career today!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Nov. 30, 2010
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