Pharmacy technicians typically work under the direction of a licensed pharmacist. Duties may include dispensing medication and providing information about these medications to customers, taking verbal prescriptions and doctor calls, filling medication and expense orders, handling expired credits and returns, and non-licensed pharmacy management. Pharmacy technicians typically work behind a pharmacy counter at a drugstore, grocery store, hospital, nursing home or other medical facilities. This position involves working with pharmacists, patients and occasionally with pharmaceutical reps.
A Job That is in Demand
The general population is aging, and as this occurs they will require and use more prescription medicines to control medical conditions. Higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes (affecting all age groups) also will result in an increase in demand for prescription medications. Advances in research will increase the availability of more prescription medications to use in fighting various ailments.
Individuals having access to health insurance due to healthcare reform is expected to increase. As more people gain healthcare coverage. More pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill the demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected 9% projected growth from 2014 to 2024, resulting in employment of 372,500 to 407,200 individuals.
Career Potential
As noted above, demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to remain high for the next decade. This makes this a potentially rewarding career path for those who wish to work in a pharmacy setting.
The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians is $30,410 range, although this varies by state, location, and place of employment. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $45,030.
Pharmacy technicians in Washington, Alaska, California, Hawaii and Oregon are the highest earners, on average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the highest-paying positions are available with federal, state and local government agencies, outpatient care centers, and scientific research and development organizations.
Potential for Job Growth
Becoming a pharmacy technician can be a gateway to career advancement. With additional training, certifications and education, pharmacy technicians can advance to a career as a pharmacist, nursing assistant or other medical professional.
Additionally, pharmacy technicians may be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations. This is a result of pharmacists who finding themselves performing more patient care activities such as giving flu shots. Technicians will need to take over some tasks formally performed by pharmacists. These tasks include collecting patient information, preparing more types of medications, and verifying the work of other technicians.
What Our Vocational College Course Provides
Here at American College of Healthcare and Technology, we have an eight-month course that covers a variety of subject areas, such as medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, record keeping and techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. This course is available at both our Riverside and Huntington Park campuses.
American College of Healthcare and Technology has two convenient locations.
Our Huntington Park campus proudly serves the following communities: Bell, Bell Gardens, Compton, Southgate, Los Angeles, Vernon, Maywood, Cudahy, Florence, South Central LA, Watts, Lynwood, City of industry, Lawndale, Paramount, Inglewood, Commerce, Downy, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Carson, Long Beach, Bellflower, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Whitter, Gardena, Hawthorne, El Monte, La Puente, Monterrey Park.
Our Riverside campus proudly serves the following communities: Corona, Moreno Valley, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, La Sierra, Arlington, Jurupa Valley, Rialto, Pedly, Mira Loma, Runidoux, Blomington, Colton, San Bernardino, Redland, Wildomar, Temecula, Murrieta, Loma Linda, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Glen Avon.