Pharmacy technicians are members of one of the fastest-growing careers in the world. With the ever-increasing demand for healthcare (and for the resulting prescriptions), pharmacy work continues to be one of the most lucrative opportunities in modern times. Here, we’ll go over everything you want to know about working as a professional pharmacy technician.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Pharmacy technicians are medical professionals that work under a pharmacist and perform a variety of duties, including dispensing medications per prescription instructions, dealing with patients’ insurance and payment, entering data into pharmacy computer systems, organizing medication inventory, and more. Technicians can work in a variety of settings, including hospital/clinic pharmacies, chain pharmacies (like CVS and Walgreens), nursing homes, prisons, and etc.
How Much Will I Make?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for pharmacy technicians in 2015 was $30,410 per year ($14.62 per hour).¹ Depending on where you work and what your hours are, you can expect some variation in this level of pay. In general, those who hold some kind of professional pharmacy tech certification earn more money in the position than those who do not.
What Are the Hours?
Hours are generally quite flexible and are set based on the specific pharmacy’s needs and hours. Technicians can work either full- or part-time, as desired, which makes it a great career for those who require some time during the day/week to care for young children. Those who prefer to work a late or overnight shift can also find a suitable position at a 24-hour pharmacy or emergency clinic.
How Do I Get Certified?
Pharmacy technicians don’t require a college degree and can be easily certified with a professional training program. This certification is not necessarily required (many pharmacy technicians begin their career with only a high school diploma or GED), but it does help prospective pharmacy techs get a leg up over other applicants (and may also help when negotiating pay).
How Is the Current Job Outlook?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook for 2014-2024 is a growth of 9%––faster than the average rate of growth for most other careers. As the demand for pharmaceutical services continues to grow, this upward trend in the need for pharmacy technicians is anticipated to continue. Pharmacy techs are also present all over the world, so jobs are generally easy to find regardless of where you live or how often you move around.
Start Your Career as a Pharmacy Technician with an Education from ABC Training Center
If you’re ready to start a lucrative career as a pharmacy technician, consider getting certified with a professional training program from ABC Training Center. Our affordable pharmacy technician training in NYC can help you get the education you need to succeed in a pharmacy setting and serve as a foundation for moving up into a full pharmacist career in the future.
To learn more about our affordable training courses, call us today at (718) 618-5589.
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