Pharmacy Technicians often work in retail pharmacies like drugstore chains or those found in grocery stores. They work alongside pharmacists and help answer patient's questions as well as fill prescriptions. If you enjoy working with people and would like to break into the health care field, then gaining employment as a Pharmacy Technician is a great way to start.
Since there is no formal training required to become a Pharmacy Technician in most states, it's an excellent way to find out if a career as a Pharmacist is right for you. Although formal training is not a requirement, you will need to have an understanding of drugs and how they interact so that you may inform patients. You will also need to gain experience helping to run a pharmacy, which is covered in many Pharmacy Technician programs.
Pharmacy Technician Facts and Stats:
Pharmacy Technician Job Duties: Pharmacy Technicians help provide medication to their patients. They often count pills and label the medication bottles. Pharmacy Technicians also help run the pharmacy by answering the phone, helping explain medications to patients, and taking payments.
Pharmacy Technician Work Environment: Pharmacy Technicians work alongside Pharmacists. They are often employed at hospitals and other businesses which sell drugs. Pharmacy Technicians should be willing to spend a lot of time standing and may be required to work evenings and weekends.
Pharmacy Technician Education and Training:
Most states do not currently have requirements to become a Pharmacy Technician. However, formal training is available and may help gain employment. Pharmacy Technician training programs educate their students in the laboratory and classroom setting. It is also possible to gain a certification as a Pharmacy Technician. This type of certification will only help to secure employment.
Pharmacy Technician Salaries: The average pay for Pharmacy Technicians ranges from $10.10 to $14.92 an hour according to the Occupational Employment Statistics survey program. Individuals who are certified may earn more as will those who work weekends and evenings.
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