subject: Degrees And Pharmacy Technician Salaries [print this page] Positions in the allied health field of pharmacy technicians is expected to see growth in the future. With this greater demand, pharmacy technician salaries are likely to grow in the future too.
A pharmacy technician can have many job responsibilities. He is responsible for counting, dispensing, and labeling prescriptions for patients. Other responsibilities can be to file insurance claims, contact doctors for prescription information, and take calls from doctors offices. Although he helps to dispense medications, he is not usually allowed to counsel patients about their medicines. This is done by the licensed pharmacist who directly supervises the technician.
The professional skills dealing with medications are the technicians most important responsibility, but he usually has other administrative responsibilities along with these duties. He works directly with customers and patients. He also usually helps to stock the shelves, answer the phone, and accurately handle money and the cash register.
Training required can vary greatly not only by state, but by individual pharmacies. In some areas you only need a high school diploma to start the job. Usually, you will then receive up to a years worth of on-the-job training. Although you can get jobs with no special training, the pay is much less than for those who have certification. Some people choose to start working at this level while working on there certification credentials.
This area of allied health has two possible certifications. One is national and the other is state. Many technicians decide to get both types. The Institute of Certification of Pharmacy Technicians provides the national certification. In addition, state certification is made available by certain community colleges or technical schools. Usually programs are offered for diplomas, certificates, or even associate degrees. Once you receive certification, in many states you must be re-certified every two years.
At entry level, a certified technician starts at anywhere from 20,000 to 25,000 dollars per year. With several years experience the average is about 40,000 to 50,000. However, these can vary greatly from one state to another and from one workplace to another. Usually big chain pharmacies do not pay as well as hospitals, nursing homes, and smaller pharmacies. About two-thirds of the technicians work with the larger chains with the remaining working in the higher paid work places.
The job outlook for the pharmacy technician looks very good. It is a field that is expected to grow considerably over the next few years. So with pharmacy technician salaries bound to rise, this might be an ideal area of allied health to try.
