Pharmacy technicians form the key staff in a pharmaceutical shop. They have varied roles to play in the organization they work for. More information about these professionals forms a part of this article.
Owing to the growth surge in pharmaceutical industry in recent years, making a career in pharmacy presents a host of career opportunities. The industry has expanded by leaps and bounds, leading to opportunities for various elementary and higher designations in pharmacy shops and pharmaceutical companies. Hence, pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician presents great opportunities for growth and development.
Job Description
Simply put, the job of a pharmacy technician includes activities like filling prescriptions and counting medications, however, the job is not restricted to only these activities. In a variety of setups, these technicians assume different sets of responsibilities, which form an integral part of their job.
Here are the various duties expected from them.
- Help the patients who visit the stores in picking up or dropping subscription orders.
- Entering detailed information about the patient’s prescription into computers.
- Maintain regular medical records of patient’s health and insurance information. Produce it whenever required, for use in matters of investigation.
- Work under a registered pharmacist and be aware of the local, state, and federal laws.
- Place orders on desks, as well as present patients and customers with the required medicines.
- Handle telephone calls for pharmacists and take orders for medicines from customers.
- Assist pharmacists in managing the work and handling customers.
- Keep themselves updated about latest pharmaceutical changes in firms and companies.
- Preparing bulk medicine offers for firms and companies.
- Advise patients about health-related issues and about proper method of medicine intake.
- Package required medication as requested by the pharmacist.
The job details also depend on the type of healthcare setup one is employed with. For example, the technicians working in nursing homes and hospitals have various other responsibilities, besides the normal duties. They have to often assist patients in minor sicknesses and suggest medicines. This requires some seniority and work experience. Another facet of their job is that they have to maintain the stock of medicines and preserve them safely. They have to be aware of the supply and demand of medicines. They have to ensure that the hospital unit is able to meet the daily requirement of medicines.
Educational Requirements
Educational requirements for this job are very few. Generally, a pharmacy technician degree is a basic requirement. There are various levels of education in this field and that can invariably affect the growth prospects. For instance, a pharmacy technician certificate program usually requires less than a year and imparts basic skills. On the other hand, diploma programs and associate degrees take a year to complete.
Salary
The earning potential for this career option has been presented below.
Salary Range | |
Years of Work Experience | Salary (in USD approx.) per year |
Less than 1 year | 20,000 to 30,000 |
1 – 4 years | 20,000 to 35,000 |
5 – 9 years | 23,000 to 40,000 |
10 – 19 years | 25,000 to 45,000 |
20 years or more | Above 45,000 |
The career development path for pharmacy technicians is bright and with increasing work experience in this field, one can move on to handle greater responsibilities. The job includes all the above-mentioned responsibilities and requires good communication skills, as well as knowledge about the subject.