Do you enjoy helping people who require medical assistance? Would you like to play an important role in assisting people in recovering from illness and/or disability by providing high-quality patient care? Have you ever considered becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
You can start a career as an allied health professional with only a high school diploma or post-secondary training in a pharmacy technology program lasting 6 months to 2 years, depending on where you live. As a Pharmacy Technician, you will provide a valuable service to your community while also feeling pride and self-satisfaction that you are helping people, all while working in a highly sought-after field.
A rewarding career as a pharmacy technician awaits you if you are well-organized, responsible, detail-oriented, and responsive! Train to become a pharmacy technician and you’ll be well on your way!
What is a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy Technicians, also known as pharmaceutical technicians or pharmacy techs, are health care workers who assist licensed pharmacists to perform pharmacy-related duties. These duties include:
- Receiving and dispensing medication to fill a prescription
- Counting pills/tablets or measuring proper amounts of medication for prescriptions
- Labeling and packaging prescription bottles
- Processing claims for medical insurance
- Ordering pharmaceutical supplies
- Discussing requests for prescriptions with doctors and insurance companies
- Performing administrative tasks, such as stocking shelves for inventory, cleaning equipment, maintaining profiles of patients and answering telephones
Pharmacy techs work in a variety of settings including store pharmacies (i.e. in retail chains, groceries and drugstores), hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers and third-party insurance companies.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Regulations for becoming a pharmaceutical technician vary by the state you live in. Some states will require you to have successfully complete a secondary education program for pharmaceutical training and/or passed an examination for certification.
Use the following United States map or the state listing below to select your home state to understand the state’s requirements for becoming a pharmacy tech.
Working Conditions for Pharmacy Techs
Pharmacies and laboratories provide working environments that are well constructed, organized and clean to help you perform your job efficiently.
Work schedules for pharmacy technicians depend upon where you are working.
A pharmacy, for example, may be open 24 hour a day, therefore you may be scheduled to work nights or weekends to provide support. Hospitals typically are open 24 hours per days and can provide various shift opportunities.
A pharmacies within a retail drugstore such as CVS or Walgreens are limited to hours that the store is open, and likely may be open a shorter duration than the store itself.
You’ll likely be able to work 40 hours or more per week routinely.
You should have proficient computer skills in order to maintain patient records, print prescription labels and perform research.
You should also be able to understand pharmaceutical and medical definitions, follow oral and written instructions precisely, move and lift heavy boxes of supplies as needed, repeat tasks that require routine procedures.
Understand that this career field will require you to endure long periods of standing.
How to Get Training
On-the-job training is how many pharmacy technicians learn their job. Others choose to attend a training program that is specific for pharmaceuticals. Upon completion of the program you will earn a certificate to indicate achievement.
Some training programs will also include externships as a part of their education to provide practical experience before they begin their career.
Training programs typically last between 6 months and 2 years. If you choose to attend a formal program, look for one that is accredited by an agency such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Do I Need Certification?
Earning your certification provides you an advantage over others when applying for a job. Many employers will require you to be certified, although the state you live in may or may not require certification.
Please click on the map above to determine if your state requires certification.
There are two main organizations in the United States that offer pharmacy technician certification, these include:
Completion of a formal training program will prepare you to pass the exam, thereby earning you the designation of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
By earning your certification, you will have a credential that proves you have competency as a pharmaceutical technician with the required skills and knowledge it takes to perform your job accurately.
Even if certification is not required by your home state, by achieving this credential you’ll most likely find a job faster, be more competitive with your peers, and increase your earnings potential. Check out this article on tips on passing the PTCB exam.
Where Can I Find a Job?
There are various places to work as a pharmaceutical technician. As mentioned above, employers include pharmacies within 
hospitals and stores (i.e. in retail chains, groceries and drugstores), pharmaceutical manufacturers, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and third-party insurance companies.
A high percentage of techs are working in store pharmacies and drugstores.
You may also find employment with the one of the branches of the US military. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prospects for employment are excellent – especially if you have completed formal training.
What is the Difference between a Pharmacy Tech and a Pharmacist?
It is important to understand the differences between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The latter works only under the direction of the pharmacist. Pharmacists are the experts in medication.
Providing advice to doctors and various health practitioners about medication in terms of dosage, side-effects, interactions and selection – pharmacists are required to understand all physical, biological and chemical properties of drugs. They work to provide the highest possible outcome in the well-being of patients, balancing it with minimal associated risks.
A steep learning curve is necessary to become a pharmacist. At least six years of study post-secondary in addition to passing your state’s board of pharmacy exam is required. This journey typically includes two years of undergraduate education, then earning a passing score on the PCAT (Pharmacy college admission test).
The next step is to go to a pharmacy program for four years to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The Pharm.D. program involves a series of rotations in a variety of pharmaceutical settings for practical experience.
Pharmacy techs on the other hand have a much shorter and simpler route to earning the requirements to enter the profession. Having a high school diploma or GED, and either on-the-job training or attending a program lasting no longer than 2 years is the most that is required.
Getting you certification as mentioned above will improve your chances and future career prospects.
Work wise, techs provide assistance to the pharmacists to measure, count, mix, and label prescription as well as perform administrative tasks such as answering telephone calls and ordering supplies.
Pharmacy techs do not provide advice to the patients on medication regarding dosage, alternatives and possible side-effects. Pharmacists handle these duties that require consultation with patients and medical professionals.
What Can I Expect to Earn?
The average salary was approximately $36,450 annually for a pharmaceutical technician in 2020, according to the BLS.
Highest paid tend to live in the states of California, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington – earning an average between $47,620 and $43,410 per year.
What Are the Benefits?
If you have a strong interest in the healthcare field, this career is an excellent starting point! Learning and understanding the various types of medications will go a long way for you in any other path you may decide to take beyond the pharmacy industry.
In addition, it is a great launching pad to become a pharmacist, doctor, or other medical professional.
With the relatively low requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician, lots of job opportunities throughout the country, flexible work schedules, helping your community – an excellent opportunity awaits you as a pharmacy technician!
Continue reading more to learn how to become a pharmacy technician and start on your way to a great career.
ii have learnt alot from this. If i want to study from Hawaii or Washington the course of apharmacist techinician. Are there some scholarship? Am from East aAfrica, in Uganda.
Pharmacy Tecnician program in West Virginia
If iam not a us citizen can I apply for a pharmacy technician Registration