Where to Find Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Pharmacy technician jobs are widely available depending on your level of training.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported pharmacy tech jobs are most often in pharmacies and drug stores, where more than 53 percent of technicians are now employed.
When searching to find pharmacy technician jobs you will find that hospitals, whether local, private and state are also employing a vast majority of pharmacy techs with 17 percent of graduates currently working in this environment.
Another 12 percent of graduates work in general merchandise stores, followed by 7 percent and 3 percent working in grocery stores and healthcare environments specifically.
In addition, private research facilities, pharmaceutical companies and the military also hire pharmaceutical technicians for independent research or to fund drug research, as well as for staff physicians.
Top Places to Find Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Here is an outline of the top areas where you find pharmacy technician jobs:
- Retail Pharmacies – A vast majority of new graduates find work in retail pharmacies. These are well-known store names such as CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens. You will also find pharmacies located in department stores such as Target and Walmart. New graduates will find retail pharmacies often have the least stringent requirements. The pay is often lower than other environments, but the job environment is often friendly and inviting. Often pharmacy techs build up a regular clientele that fill prescriptions at retail centers regularly. Customer service is key in these positions.
- Hospitals and Acute Care Facilities – Hospitals are often open 24 hours a day. Pharmacy technician jobs here may offer you greater flexibility with work hours. Pharmacies located in hospitals often also offer pay that is higher than retail outlets. Some require more experience. You may find difficulty getting a job the first year as a pharmacy technician.
- Military and Pharmaceutical Companies – Many of these companies often have additional requirements which may require additional training or specialization in other areas. Research may be an option for pharmacy technicians interested in working with pharmaceutical companies. Military pharmaceutical technicians may have other benefits available to them.
- Private Pharmacies – Private pharmacies typically serve their local communities with a loyal following. Many pharmacies have been in business for 20+ years and therefore may offer job stability and growth. You may find working in a local community helps build a loyal clientele. The pay may be lower than that offered from working in a hospital or retail outlet. However, you may find the ambiance of working in a family-oriented setting to your liking. Many private pharmacies have set hours. This schedule may be good for pharmacy technicians looking to work a regular 9 to 5 schedule. There may be some weekend hours required.
Consider investigating all of your options. Look for pharmacy technician jobs that suits your personal needs, interest and lifestyle.
You can apply at as many different facilities as you like, depending on your unique skills and abilities. Before you apply make sure you know what the top 5 pharmacy tech interview questions are.
Consider working at a local or retail pharmacy center and moving to a hospital or other specialized facility once you gain some experience in the industry. Also, make sure that you meet the pharmacy tech requirements for the state that you live in prior to applying for pharmacy technician jobs.