Pharmacy Technician Job Description Information

The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 25 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A career as a pharmacy technician provides workers with a tremendous opportunity to work in a growing industry. The growing number of older people in the population who have a greater demand for prescription medications and services will cause the increase in job growth in pharmacy-related occupations.

 

Job Duties

  • Pharmacy technicians work in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and mail order pharmacies to prepare medications for customers or patients. The technician assists the pharmacist in processing prescriptions from customers including labeling prescription medications and counting pills. The duties may also include clerical duties such as answering phone calls and receiving prescriptions by mail or electronic methods. Processing prescriptions by telephone may be prohibited in some states. Pharmacy technicians may assist customers with questions relating to drug information. The technician may direct questions to the pharmacist or answer them when able.

Education Requirements

  • Employers require a minimum of a high school diploma to work as a pharmacy technician. Education programs for pharmacy technicians increase the opportunities available to job seekers. Pharmacy technician programs teach students techniques, terminology, pharmacy laws and ethics training.

Certification

  • The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board provides certification for individuals who want to improve job prospects. Candidates seeking certification must have a high school diploma and have a clean criminal background. The candidate must have no suspensions or denials of a license to practice as a pharmacy technician in any state. Certification must be renewed every two years. The certified pharmacy technician must complete 20 hours of continuing education courses before renewing the certification.

Registration

  • Pharmacy technicians must be registered in most states with the state board of pharmacy. The requirements for registration include a high school diploma to practice in the state.

Salary

  • A pharmacy technician position has a median salary of $30,658, according to Salary.com, as of November 2009. Certification can increase the opportunities and salary for a pharmacy technician.

Read more: Pharmacy Technician Job Description & Skills | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6683158_pharmacy-technician-job-description-skills.html#ixzz1gkcHXaIJ
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Pharmacy Technician Salary Information

Most pharmacy technicians work in retail stores and in hospitals, receiving prescriptions from customers and filling those prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist. They also label and price the bottles, vials and other containers, in addition to tracking inventory and providing customer service.

 

Starting Salary

  • Median starting salary for pharmacy technicians as of 2009 is between $8 to $11 an hour, according to the PayScale salary survey website. Pharmacy techs can expect an increase to between $10 and $15 with at least five years' experience.

Average Salary

  • Average hourly pay for pharmacy technicians in 2008 was $13.70, or $28,500 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

General Range

  • In 2008, a total of 80 percent of all pharmacy technicians were earning between $9 and $19 per hour. The middle 50 percent of earners were making between $11 and $16.

Location

  • Grocery stores in 2008 were generally paying pharmacy technicians right at the average of $13.70 per hour. General medical and surgical hospitals paid higher, at an average of about $15.50, while general retail and department stores paid less, at an average between $12.40 and $12.80.

Geography

  • The highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians in 2008 were Alaska, California, Hawaii and Washington, all paying an average between $17 and $18. In the California metropolitan areas of Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Cruz average was between $18 and $20.50 per hour.

Employment Outlook

  • The BLS predicts employment outlook for pharmacy technicians to increase much faster than average at least through 2016 because of an aging population needing more prescription medications.

Read more: Pharmacy Technician's Average Salary | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5449829_pharmacy-technicians-average-salary.html#ixzz1gkazPcmi
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How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

The field for Pharmacy Technicians has increased due to more retail and grocery stores providing pharmacy services. Jobs are available in many settings including hospitals, drug stores, grocery, club and some retail chain stores.
  1. Study mathmatics, health and life sciences in high school.
  2. Medical terminology is also helpful.
  3. Complete a vocational, ROP, technical or community college certificate program for Pharmacy Technician, typically a 1-year program.
  4. Gain work experience as a pharmacy assistant, while completing your certificate. Pharmacy assistants usually have less complex responsibilities than technicians. They often serve as clerks, cashiers or stock shelves. Experienced assistants often have as easier time finding technician jobs after graduation.
  5. Take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam after graduating your certification program. This exam is voluntary, yet will formalize your education and allow employers to know you have a standardized body of knowledge and skills. The passed exam will earn you the title Certified Pharmacy Technician.
  6. Keep up with your education and re-certify every two years by completing 10 contact hours of related pharmacy education each year.
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