subject: How to Prepare For a Career As a Pharmacy Technician [print this page] How to Prepare For a Career As a Pharmacy Technician
Deciding on a career is one of the biggest decisions you will make in life. This decision will shape the course of the rest of your life, so it's important to understand your capabilities and the scope of your chosen profession before embarking on it. There are many people out there who want to become a pharmacy technician. For such people I have listed some FAQ's on the subject to help you make an informed decision.
What Do They Do?
A pharmacy tech handles multiple tasks at a pharmacy, doctor's office, or hospital. The technician works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist only. He deals with dispensing the medications to the patients and also prepares prescribed medications.
The pharmacy techs at insurance companies provide surety that the medications which are provided are correct and that the correct payment is received from patients.
What Are The Job Opportunities?
The job description of a pharmacy technician expands beyond helping a licensed pharmacist fill the prescriptions or count medicines. The technicians are taking on more responsibility as they handle customer service issues, deal with patients, medical professionals and insurance companies.
The demand for pharmacy technicians is growing. According to statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are about 285,000 technicians as of 2006. And the number seems to be increasing.
What Are The Requirements?
The federal government has not laid down any requirements as far as education and training is concerned. But there is a certification exam that one could take who is aspiring to become a pharmacy technician. The exam is called the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
The exam authenticates that the technician has satisfactory pharmaceutical knowledge. However the pharmacy technician is required to take this exam every two years and also complete a certain number of training hours in order to maintain his certification.
How Do I Get Started In This Career?
There are many private technical colleges and communities which provide these certificates and training programs. Prospective employers will often check whether an applicant has completed the certificates, training and internship with one of the hospitals, pharmacies or communities.
If you are interested in helping people and staying on the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical industry, then you will enjoy a lucrative career as a pharmacy technician.
