A Career as a Pharmacy Technician

The need for pharmacy technicians is increasing. There are several contributing factors in the phenomenal growth of careers in the field, including the following:

• Pharmacists are beginning to take a more active role in direct patient care, and as they do, pharmacy technicians to take on some of the duties currently held by pharmacists.
   
• People in North America are living longer, creating a higher demand for services.
   
• The health care industry further increases the demand for these technicians by constantly exploring new medical treatments. Pharmacists will always be looking for qualified technicians to assist them.

Those who are looking to increase their career opportunities should strongly consider certification.

As you start looking for a job, you will likely find that most employment opportunities exist within the following environments:

Retail

If you like an active environment where keeping customers happy and comfortable is important, retail offers some great advancement opportunities. There are many pharmacy technician jobs available in retail pharmacies such as the ones you find in your local grocery or drug store. Working for a large retail chain often provides some of the following employee benefits:

• Working regular steady hours
• Health insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Promotion opportunities

Mail Order

Mail order pharmacies are a rapidly growing business, primarily because of lower operating costs and the ability to service a wider range of customers. For the pharmacy technician, this translates into good pay, benefits and the possibility of a flexible work schedule. Perhaps the most solitary of the workplaces, mail order is great if you're looking for a job where you can work independently or behind-the-scenes.

The duties of a pharmacy technician working in a mail order facility include:

• Receiving mail order prescriptions
• Accurately reading prescriptions
• Counting the medication
• Labeling the prescriptions

Hospitals and Nursing Facilities

If you're the kind of person who likes one-on-one personal care and being an active part of a medical team, jobs in hospitals or nursing care facilities are a great choice. In hospitals and nursing facilities, the technician jobs involve patient care. Pharmacy technicians in health care facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes handle the following tasks:

• Fill prescriptions for patients
• Deliver prescriptions on a daily basis
• Record dosages on the patient's chart