If you enjoy helping people on a daily basis, you should consider a career as a pharmacy tech. This type of career is in the ever-growing and expanding healthcare industry. Healthcare careers are among the fastest-growing and continue to provide a variety of job opportunities. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook from 2014 to 2024 predicts the number of pharmacy tech positions to grow by as much as 9%.
The BLS reported the 2015 median (average) pay for a pharmacy tech was $30,410. Keep in mind, the salary ranges include a wide range, with the lowest 10% earning $20,950 and the highest 10% earning $45,030 per year. In addition, the salary ranges are directly related to the type of training the tech has, along with where they work.
Education Requirements
To become a pharmacy tech, you just need a high school diploma. Many techs are given on-the-job training when first starting out and a much lower starting salary. To command a higher starting wage, it is highly recommended to complete formal training and education programs at a qualified career training school, like ABC Training Center. The education you receive helps you prepare to take the certification exam that allows you to start your career as a certified pharmacy tech, rather than an entry level tech.
Desired Skills/Job Responsibilities
Pharmacy techs perform a wide array of functions under the supervision of a pharmacist. Depending on the size of the pharmacy, it is not uncommon to work under two or more pharmacists along with other techs.
Pharmacy techs should be personable and exhibit the following skill sets:
- Listening – Pharmacy techs have to listen to the instructions given to them by the pharmacist, as well as listen to patients to determine their needs.
- Customer Service – A great deal of your time will be spent interacting with patients, so it is important to adjust your handling of the patient to fit their situation, while remaining helpful and positive.
- Detailed-Oriented with Organizational Skills – Pharmacy techs have several job responsibilities and tasks, which require being able to remain focused and organized at all times.
- Mathematics – Part of a pharmacy tech’s job is to count out pills to help the pharmacist fill prescriptions.
These skills are also essential to help collect patient information, process insurance payments and co-payments, label and package prescriptions, take inventories, and answer and make phone calls. In addition, certified pharmacy techs are being given more responsibilities, like administering flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Work Environments
Pharmacy techs can work in a variety of different environments. Some of the more common locations include hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacy stores, and big-box retail stores. You will also find career opportunities in other industries, such as prisons, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and other such locations where there can be an onsite pharmacy.
For more information about becoming a certified pharmacy tech, or to enroll in career training classes, contact ABC Training Center at 718-618-5589 today!
Source
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2