According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for pharmacy technician career growth over the next decade is optimistic. These valuable technicians are expected to be in demand as the population grows and needs life-saving medications. There are plenty of career options, including chain pharmacies, online prescription fulfillment services, independent pharmacies, and more. Also, there are additional certification and advancement options for pharmacy technicians.

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They receive and interpret medication orders and may assist in filling them by measuring doses or counting pills. Although they cannot give medical advice, they can answer basic questions from customers. Pharmacy technicians may also do paperwork and administrative work. In smaller pharmacies, they may be responsible for assisting with inventory tracking or ordering supplies.

How Long Does a Pharmacy Technician Degree Program Take?

Today, there are varying types of programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians, but on average they take about two years. Online programs tend to be shorter in duration since students can take additional courses consecutively. For example, a program at a college campus may take longer if a student attends for four semesters and takes the summers off or attends on a part-time basis. After finishing a degree program, a graduate must become certified by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

What is Required to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

The requirements to qualify for a college program may be different than taking the certification exam from the PTCB. For example, a college may only require a GED or high school diploma for acceptance. The PTCB requires a background check and adherence to all other PTCB policies. It is therefore essential to read the current qualification policies before applying to a study program. Also, some colleges have more requirements than others. Once a student graduates from a program and passes the certification exam, the individual must still apply for an internship and gain on-the-job experience.

How Much Money do Pharmacy Technicians Make?

How much a pharmacy technician earns depends on the individual's experience, special skills, and the employer. Salaries can vary based on location as well. For example, a pharmacy technician who works in an independent pharmacy in a small town may not earn as much as one with the same experience who works in a bigger city. Salaries vary considerably, and companies may pay employees on an annual, weekly, or hourly basis.

At the start of their career, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn between $13 and $17 per hour. Depending on several factors, hourly pay can range between $17 and $25 or more per hour for those with more experience. According to US News, the median annual earnings for pharmacy technicians in the United States was $33,950 in 2019. And several cities in California had the best-paid pharmacy technicians, each totaling about $50,000 for an annual income.

What Classes are Included in the Degree Program?

A pharmacy technician degree program is designed to give students a comprehensive education about more than just dispensing medications. For example, students take ethics classes to learn how to handle various situations that may present ethical concerns. This is important for maintaining a license. Also, pharmacy law classes are included to teach pharmacy technicians what they need to know about following important laws to avoid liabilities.

Pharmacy technicians learn how health care systems work and relate to pharmacies. They also learn medical terminology, which is important for deciphering orders from physicians or prescribers. Additionally, they learn about anatomy and physiology to better understand how the human body and its complex systems function and relate to one another. English and communication classes prepare students to be good and accurate communicators. Pharmacy technicians learn about pharmacology and calculations as well. Those who are interested in math and science will likely enjoy their studies. There may also be electives in some programs. Since being bilingual is an asset today, studying a second language may help.

Becoming a pharmacy technician is a good choice for someone who does not want to spend more than three  years studying and wants a stable career for the future. Being able to help people is also very rewarding. The most important decision is selecting the right pharmacy technician degree program.